The bill passes the first stage in the Commons but will be followed by months of parliamentary activity before it becomes a law.

British lawmakers are set to decide Friday whether to legalize assisted dying, a contentious proposal that would make the United Kingdom one of a small handful of nations to allow terminally ill people to end their lives.

The bill, modeled after Oregon’s law, would apply to terminally ill patients and could usher in one of the most dramatic social changes Britain has seen in years.

By Sarah Young and Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) -British lawmakers will decide on Friday whether to support assisted dying after an impassioned debate over a bill that has sparked a national conversation over dignity in death and end-of-life care.

Live coverage from the House of Commons as MPs get their first chance to debate and vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Live coverage from the House of Commons as MPs get their first chance to debate and vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

Britain's parliament voted in favour of a new bill to legalise assisted dying on Friday, opening the way for months of further debate on an issue that has divided the country and raised questions about the standard of palliative care.

Under the proposed legislation, only those over 18 years old in England and Wales and who are expected to die within six months can request assisted dying. They must have the ment

MPs who voted in favour of the assisted dying bill have raised concerns about parts of it and want to see changes before giving it final approval. Some are worried about the bill's provisions to allow doctors to raise assisted dying as an option without the terminally ill patient having asked for it first.

There were no loud cheers when, on the afternoon of November 29th, the Speaker of the House of Commons announced that MPs had voted in favour of legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. It is,