California right-todie law reinstated

LOS ANGELES — A state appeals court has reinstated — at least for now — California’s law allowing terminally ill people to end their lives.

The 4th District Court of Appeals in Riverside issued an immediate stay Friday putting the End of Life Option Act back into effect. The court also gave opponents of its decision until July 2 to file objections.

The law allows adults to obtain a prescription for life-ending drugs if a doctor has determined that they have six months or less to live.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel Ottolia declared the law unconstitutional last month, stating that it had been adopted illegally because lawmakers passed it during a special legislative session called to address other matters. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra argued that the law, which took effect in 2016, was legitimately passed during a special legislative session dedicated to health issues.

California health officials reported that 111 terminally ill people took drugs to end their lives in the first six months after the law went into effect June 9, 2016.

Oregon was the first to provide the option in 1997. The drug option also is allowed in Washington, Vermont, Colorado, Hawaii and Washington, D.C.

Patients’ Rights Action Fund, which opposes laws allowing people to take their lives, did not respond to a message late Friday.