British lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill that would help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales

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 mental capacity to make a choice about the end of their life and will be required to make two separate declarations about their wish to die.

The law, whose passage isn't a sure thing, would legalize "assisted dying" in England and Wales for patients with six months or less to live.