Statement from Senator Codey on the Signing of the

“Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act”

TRENTON – Governor Murphy today signed into law the “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act,”  creating a process for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to seek medical assistance to end their lives.

“Today New Jersey takes a step forward as a compassionate and caring state with this law,” said Senator Richard J. Codey, a prime sponsor of the legislation. “Rather than making a person endure inevitable pain and misery, this bill gives terminally ill patients the ability to choose comfort and dignity.”

“During a lifetime of experience in the funeral business, I have seen countless loved ones who describe a loss as a blessing in disguise, seeing their family member or friends passing as having freed them from terrible pain and suffering they endured in the last few weeks of their lives,” Senator Codey added.  “This is about compassion and comfort.”

The law draws on the experience of seven other states and the District of Columbia where physician aid in dying is currently allowed.  The overwhelming majority of patients who requested medications in those states were in hospice care.