Brittany Maynard, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in January 2014, took her own life in November 2014. In the last months of her life, Maynard became the face of the debate for a patient’s right to die, an otherwise access of the death-with-dignity law that’s legal in only five states. And now, posthumously, Maynard continues her advocacy for patient choice.

U-T San Diego reported a new video Maynard recorded weeks before her death played during a press conference in the Capitol before a state senate committee hearing. Maynard told lawmakers access to life-ending drugs can be a much swifter, peaceful way to die, and “every terminally ill American deserves the choice to die with dignity.”

“The decision about how I end my dying process should be up to me and my family under a doctor’s care,” she said. “How dare the government make decisions or limit options for terminally ill options like me. Unfortunately, California law prevented me from getting the end-of-life option I deserved. No one should have to leave their home and community for peace of mind.”

While the committee passed the California End-of-Life Option, it wasn’t without strong opposition. Those opposed to death-with-dignity laws say it endangers the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to going “against everything a physician stands for.”

Deborah Ziegler, Maynard’s mother, spoke before lawmakers, echoing her late daughter’s sentiments.

“You have the power to create a bill that will create a basic human freedom,” Ziegler said. “The bill will live on long after you and I are gone.”

U-T San Diego added this is the bill’s first test, and if it is approved, it will come with a set of requirements. For instance, the bill will apply only to California adult residents with a diagnosis of a terminal illness and six months to live; two separate physician confirmations of said illness; and physicians must confirm the patient is mentally competent and has the ability to administer life-ending drugs.