A proposed ‘aid-in-dying’ bill is currently on the floor of the New York State Health Committee of the Assembly and Senate, sparking a detailed debate between the opposition and supporters.

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin introduced the legislation and Senator John Bonacic sponsored the bill in the Senate.

The legislation proposes that terminally ill adults should be allowed a peaceful death by means of medication. The bill does outline the necessity of the adult to be in good mental health in order to agree to end their life.

Paulin believes the terminally ill should be able to choose the time, place and manner of their death.

“The thought of having to suffer through a horrific, painful, degrading death, and one that brings added stress and agony to my loved ones, is inconceivable,” Paulin said. “If I am terminally ill, I should be able to choose to end my life calmly, peacefully and in a dignified way, at a time and in a setting I choose, where I am surrounded by those I love.”

According to the Legislative Gazette, the issue is personal for Paulin. Two months after proposing this bill, her sister was placed in hospice after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She withdrew from food and medicine, resulting in her death three weeks later.

Supporters of the bill believe patients should have all options for relief available to them. This includes the intake of barbiturates to end their life.

“When the suffering becomes unbearable we should have the right to decide how we are going to die,” said David Leven, executive director of End of Life Choices New York. “No dying person should have to endure more suffering than he or she is willing to endure.”

The bill also outlines safeguards that will prevent wrongdoing on behalf of the ill and to prevent a conflict of interest. With studies proving that more than 1.5 billion people across the globe are suffering from chronic pain, the ability of the terminally ill sufferers to end their lives at their own choosing may be a source of relief but is not without plenty of controversy.

According to the Democrat and Chronicle, two groups held forums on the topic Saturday, Feb. 20, at St. John Fisher College. Representatives from the groups will be laying out arguments for and against the proposed legislation.

If the legislation is approved, New York will be the sixth state to adopt such a law.