The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund helped lead efforts to oppose the legalization of assisted suicide in California. Though successful during the regular legislative session, assisted suicide proponents bullied their way through an end run on the regular process and secured passage of the law in late 2015. NDY covered and assisted DREDF’s efforts. Examples are here, here and here.
Recently, litigation by others challenging the law has moved forward. What follows is an op-ed by DREDF’s Marilyn Golden about the litigation and the opportunity it presents to correct the legislature’s error in passing this law. The article begins:
California made a mistake by legalizing assisted suicide, but now it has a chance to correct its error. California’s assisted suicide law was overturned by Judge Daniel Ottolia because the legislative process was not properly followed. If Judge Ottolia’s ruling stands, it will be a great protection for people with terminal illness, economic disadvantage, and especially people with disabilities.
But California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is appealing Judge Ottolia’s ruling in an effort to once again make assisted suicide legal in California. It is disappointing to see the person responsible for upholding the rule of law and the state’s constitution, defending an illegally passed law. No matter the procedural problem this court decision is based upon, disability rights advocates are opposed to assisted suicide laws because they have harmful impacts on people with disabilities.
To read this excellent article in full, go here.