New Jersey judge blocks ‘aid in dying’ law News
New Jersey judge blocks ‘aid in dying’ law

Judge Paul Innes of the Superior Court of New Jersey in Mercer County signed an order Wednesday temporarily blocking a law that allows terminally ill patients to obtain medication to end their life.

The lawsuit, initiated by Dr. Yosef Glassman, an Orthodox Jewish Physician, argues that the law forces religious doctors into a position contrary to their beliefs, that the law violates constitutional rights and common law barring suicide, and “that immediate and irreparable damage will probably result in view of the fact that if its enforcement is not immediately enjoined, New Jersey citizens can actually begin dying.”

The order sets a hearing for late October for the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, Gurbir Singh Grewal, to respond to the Order to Show Cause.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy commented to the Associated Press that New Jersey is going to fight the lawsuit and that the Attorney General will release guidance for New Jersey residents for how the order affects their rights and medical choices.