California lawmakers have advanced a right-to-die bill, giving hope to those who want the most populous US state to allow terminally ill patients to end their lives under doctors' care.
The state Senate passed the measure on a 23 to 14 vote on Thursday ahead of a legislative deadline.
The issue gained traction nationally after 29-year-old Brittany Maynard moved from California to Oregon to end her life in November.
Oregon allows doctors to prescribe suicide drugs to certain consenting patients.
Maynard recorded her final days in widely viewed online videos that included support for right-to-die laws.
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Opponents of such legislation in California and elsewhere say suicide is against God's will and that some patients may feel pressured to kill themselves so they don't burden family members.
The measure next heads to California's Assembly.
Dozens of states have considered right-to-die legislation this year.
Such a bill failed in California in 2007 over objections from Catholic and medical groups.
This year's bill from Democratic Senators Bill Monning and Lois Wolk would protect physicians from prosecution if they give terminally ill adults the option of medical aid in their deaths.
The plan would be limited to mentally competent patients with less than six months to live. It also would require they take the deadly medication themselves, without help from a physician.
Senator Holly Mitchell, a Democrat, supported the plan, saying the bill "will not force me, if it is not my religious, cultural, ethical belief to do this."
But Senator Jeff Stone, a Republican, said he worries California could become known for death tourism.
"What is going to be the new theme of the state of California?" Stone said. "Come play, live and die in California."
