UK Lawmakers Plan to Debate Revised Assisted Dying Bill

(MENAFN) British lawmakers are set to discuss the contentious assisted dying bill in the House of Commons on Friday, marking the initial debate since significant revisions were made to the proposed legislation.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, presented by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, seeks to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales.

The bill passed its first reading in November with a majority of 330 to 275 votes but has undergone six months of examination and modification.

A final vote on whether to approve or reject the bill is not anticipated on Friday, with the earliest possible date being 13 June.

Among the modifications made to the bill are the removal of the requirement for a High Court judge to approve each request for assisted death.

Instead, a panel consisting of a legal expert, psychiatrist, and social worker will be tasked with overseeing the process.

Another revision ensures that doctors are prohibited from raising the topic with individuals under the age of 18 unless the patient initiates the conversation.

The government also discreetly updated its impact assessment on assisted dying, acknowledging mistakes in its initial estimate of how many people might access the service if the bill becomes law.

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