Public push for assisted suicide bill begins Tuesday at the L.O.B.

Advocates for a controversial bill that would allow assisted suicide for the terminally ill in Connecticut will hold a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Legislative Office Building.

Organized by the non-profit group Compassion & Choices, the press conference at 1 p.m. in Room 2B will feature patients, clergy members, doctors and others who support helping terminally ill, mentally competent people who want to end their lives.

So far this session, three different bills have been proposed but not yet drafted that would allow assisted suicide in Connecticut.

Proponents said the bill would be modeled on assisted suicide laws passed in Washington state and Oregon in recent years.

A similar proposal was defeated in Massachusetts in November. Hawaii and other states are considering similar measures.

Last week, the Public Health Committee agreed that it would hold a public hearing on Compassionate Aid in Dying bill during the legislative session.