MONTPELIER — A big crowd is expected at a public hearing this week at the Vermont Statehouse on legislation that would allow physicians to prescribe a lethal dose of medications to terminally ill patients who wish to take their own lives.

It’s an issue that has come up repeatedly in recent years. Backers say the current makeup of the Legislature and support from Gov. Peter Shumlin give what’s variously called death with dignity and physician-assisted suicide the best chance it’s had yet of passing this year.

Four legislative committees will be on hand in the main House chamber to take testimony from the public from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.