SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Legislation allowing certain terminally ill patients to have quicker access to life-ending medications under the state's first-in-the-nation assisted suicide law has been signed into law, Gov. Kate Brown's office announced Wednesday.

The law allows those with 15 days left to live to bypass a 15-day waiting period required under the Death with Dignity Act, something proponents say will reduce bureaucracy and bring relief to gravely ill people.

"This improvement will result in fewer Oregonians suffering needlessly at the end of their lives," said Democratic Sen. Floyd Prozansk...