Share
RIVERSIDE — A judge has ruled California’s law allowing terminally ill people to end their lives was passed legitimately during a special session of the Legislature, dampening a long-running criticism by opponents who sued over the measure.
The decision is the latest in a long-running battle over the 2016 law that allows adults in California to obtain a prescription for life-ending drugs if a doctor finds they have six months or less to live.
Previously, another judge declared the law was unconstitutional because it was adopted during a special legislative session that was supposed to address improving the medical system and health of Californians.
That decision was later overturned when an appeals panel found the doctors who sued failed to show they were harmed because they could choose not to help terminally ill patients die.
‘One Challenge Has Been Knocked out Now’
Riverside County Judge Irma Asberry has told the doctors they can try to refile their case if they include patients who are opposed to the law and face undue influence to participate from family or others, said John Kappos, a partner at O’Melveny & Meyers who represents Compassion & Choices and a terminally ill man involved in the case.
He said the judge’s decision to toss out one of the doctors’ claims that the law was unconstitutional is significant.
“One challenge has been knocked out now,” he said. “There were three challenges, and now we’re down to two.”
A message was left for the plaintiffs in the suit.
In addition to California, eight states and the District of Columbia have similar measures, according to Compassion & Choices.
Oreo Maker Mondelez Sues Aldi, Alleging Grocery Chain Copies Its Packaging to Confuse Customers
54 minutes ago
FAA Demands an Accident Investigation Into SpaceX’s Latest Out-of-Control Starship Flight
58 minutes ago
In Marseille, a Shadow Becomes Art in Banksy’s Latest Street Mural
1 hour ago
Newsom Tussles With Local Officials Over Homelessness
3 hours ago
Fresno Police Arrest Two Women Suspected in Targeted Shootings
3 hours ago
California School Awards Dinner at Disneyland Comes With Hefty Price Tag
19 minutes ago
Categories

California School Awards Dinner at Disneyland Comes With Hefty Price Tag

Oreo Maker Mondelez Sues Aldi, Alleging Grocery Chain Copies Its Packaging to Confuse Customers

FAA Demands an Accident Investigation Into SpaceX’s Latest Out-of-Control Starship Flight

In Marseille, a Shadow Becomes Art in Banksy’s Latest Street Mural
