Now a measure that would legalize medical aid in dying heads to the governor.
The Senate passed the measure in a 23-2 vote Thursday.
Hawaii is close to becoming the seventh state to allow terminally ill adults with only six months to live the option to make their own end-of-life decisions.
Lawmakers have closely examined this issue a number of times over the past two decades.
Sen. Breene Harimoto was one of the votes against the measure and shared some emotional news. His cancer is back, this time in his lung.
“So after this session ends, I will hurry out to hopefully get my chemo treatment,” he said. “For me, I just cannot vote for an environment of hopelessness and allow physicians to assist in causing death.”
Sen. Mike Gabbard also voted against the measure. “Why are we insisting that government be involved in a deeply personal decision?” he asked.
Some senators voted yes despite its flaws.
“Of all the bills, this is the one bill we shouldn’t pass with flaws. We should not race to pass,” said Sen. Josh Green.
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