(ABC 6 News) – The state of Minnesota will soon consider whether to join a growing number of states looking to legalize assisted death.

10 states, including the District of Columbia, have already adopted what’s called “medical aid in dying” or MAiD.

The End-of-Life Options Act, if passed, would allow people to receive MAiD.

“It’s modeled after an Oregon law that been in effect for more than two decades and it offers the same basic requirements,” said Representative Mike Freiberg (43B, DFL).

Those requirements would be the person be a legal adult, diagnosed with a terminal illness, and be of sound mind before being prescribed the medication to end their life.

Rep. Freiberg has supported these legislations for several years.

“I’ve just become overwhelmingly convinced that it’s the right thing to do. From a bodily autonomy standpoint, it just gives people another option,” said Freiberg.

In the past the bill has only made it as far as a committee hearing; that was five years ago.

Representative Duane Quam (24A, R) says it’s a difficult issue, and he wants to make sure this is well thought out before passing any legislation.

“Let’s see what language comes forward and let have the debate and let just make sure we don’t have unintended consequences if something does pass,” said Quam.

Rep. Quam ways he’s looking at the past to avoid pitfalls in the future. He feels legislation passed in the last session moved too fast without enough discussion.

But Freiberg says it’s a well thought out bill.

“I don’t feel like is a something that is, has been, or will be rushed. Like I said it’s been introduced 8 years, and we had a hearing on it in 2019. So, I’m hopefully it will get another one this year again,” said Rep. Freiberg.

For Quam, the decision doesn’t come lightly as he recalls the last days, he was able to spend with his mother who died of cancer.

“I treasure those days with my mom those last few days,” said Quam.

Quam says he doesn’t want people to miss out on valuable time with loved ones and he’s optimistic that break through treatments happen every day.

However, Freiberg says it’s more than just being prescribed life ending medication — it can provide a form of comfort by putting the patient back in control.

“For a lot of people, it provides additional piece of mind know that if they reach a point of suffering becomes unbearable than this is an option that’s out there for them,” said Rep. Freiberg.

And it’s worth noting, Bishop Robert Barron, with the Diocese of Winona Rochester recently spoke out against the measure, saying it goes against the church’s belief in the sanctity of human life.