California Lawmaker Seeks to Expand End-of-Life Suicide Law

California could soon have the most expansive assisted-suicide law in the nation, allowing out-of-state residents to participate in its state program. State Sen. Catherine Blakespear introduced, in February, Senate Bill 1196—which would modify the state’s current End of Life Option Act—to allow non-residents to end their lives in California with a drug given intravenously for a range of conditions, including mental illness. If passed, the legislation would expand the state’s existing assisted-suicide law by removing the terminal illness requirement and allowing anyone, even non-residents, with a “grievous and irremediable medical condition” to participate in the program. Ms. Blakespear said the intention behind the revision to the legislation is to allow more independence for those who seek to end their lives....