Supporters of legislation that would allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults the right to self-administer life-ending drugs are making their case at the Statehouse.
Advocates say they plan to deliver almost 7,000 petitions signed by Massachusetts citizens in favor of the legislation to lawmakers Wednesday.
The legislation would require the terminally ill to fill out a form stating they understand that the drugs they are requesting from their doctors are intended to result in death.
Under the bill, the terminally ill person must be competent and acting voluntarily — and the request must be witnessed by at least two other individuals.
In 2012, a ballot question that would also have allowed patients to self-administer life-ending drugs prescribed by physicians was narrowly defeated. Opponents outspent supporters on an advertising campaign urging voters to reject the proposal.
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