A bill that would legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales has received support from British Members of Parliament.
A bill that would permit terminally ill persons with a life expectancy of fewer than six months to take their own lives was supported by the majority of Members of Parliament.
As legislators on both sides of the dispute passionately argued for and against what has been called a “major social reform,” there were occasionally tearful scenes in the Commons.
Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was approved by MPs on second reading by a majority of 55, 330 to 275.
In England and Wales, it is currently illegal to encourage or assist suicide, and the maximum penalty is 14 years in prison.
Before undergoing additional review and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the Bill will next move on to the committee stage, where MPs can propose amendments. This means that any changes to the law won’t be approved until at least next year.
The bill’s sponsor, Ms. Leadbeater, stated that an assisted dying service would probably not be available for another two years.
