New Jersey

New Jersey's Medically Assisted Suicide Law Put on Hold

What to Know

  • A New Jersey judge has put a temporary hold on a new law allowing terminally ill patients to seek life-ending drugs
  • The suit seeks to block law was brought by Dr. Yosef Glassman; It argues law violates constitutional rights and common law barring suicide
  • Murphy said at an unrelated event Thursday that he will fight the suit, and the attorney general will put out guidance

A New Jersey judge has put a temporary hold on a new law allowing terminally ill patients to seek life-ending drugs.

Judge Paul Innes of Superior Court in Mercer County signed the temporary order Wednesday blocking the law and set a hearing for October.

The suit seeking to block the law was brought by Dr. Yosef Glassman. The suit argues the law violates constitutional rights as well as common law barring suicide.

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bill in April, making New Jersey the seventh state allowing the practice. Maine enacted a similar law in June, becoming the eighth.

New Jersey's law went into effect earlier this month.

Murphy said at an unrelated event Thursday that he will fight the suit, and the attorney general will put out guidance.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us