Assisted suicide on legal agenda in several states

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A push for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is under way in a half-dozen states where proponents say they see strong support for it.

The large number of baby boomers facing end-of-life issues themselves is seen to have made the issue more prominent in recent years. Groups such as Compassion & Choices, a national end-of-life advocacy organization, have been working to advance the cause.

Bills legalizing aid-in-dying are being considered in Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Kansas, Hawaii and Massachusetts. There are also bills related to the issue under consideration in New Hampshire, New York, Arizona and Montana.