Maryland state senator plans to introduce right-to-die bill

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A Maryland state senator says he'll introduce a bill this year to make it legal for Maryland doctors to help terminally ill patients end their own lives.

The Frederick News-Post reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/17HvvqE ) that Democratic Sen. Ron Young's proposal would allow doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication to adults who are within six months of death. The patients could then decide if they want to take the drugs.

The Frederick County lawmaker says the proposal resembles an Oregon law and was crafted by Compassion and Choices, a nonprofit that lobbies for so-called death-with-dignity legislation.

Even if the Legislature approved such a bill, enactment wouldn't be assured. A spokeswoman for Republican Gov.-elect Larry Hogan says he has expressed his opposition to right-to-die measures.

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Information from: The Frederick (Md.) News-Post, http://www.fredericknewspost.com