Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

ASSISTED SUICIDE

416.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2) "LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL" MEANS A DULY LICENSED
PHYSICIAN, SURGEON, PODIATRIST, OSTEOPATH, OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN,
OSTEOPATHIC SURGEON, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, REGISTERED NURSE, LICENSED
PRACTICAL NURSE, NURSE PRACTITIONER, DENTIST, OR PHARMACIST.

(3) "SUICIDE" MEANS THE ACT OR INSTANCE OF INTENTIONALLY
TAKING ONE'S OWN LIFE.

(B) AN INDIVIDUAL OR LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL MAY NOT,
WITH THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING ANOTHER PERSON TO COMMIT OR TO ATTEMPT
TO COMMIT SUICIDE:

(1) KNOWINGLY CAUSE, BY COERCION, DURESS, OR DECEPTION,
ANOTHER PERSON TO COMMIT SUICIDE OR TO ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE;

(2) KNOWINGLY PROVIDE THE PHYSICAL MEANS BY WHICH ANOTHER
PERSON COMMITS OR ATTEMPTS TO COMMIT SUICIDE WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE
PERSONS INTENT TO USE THE PHYSICAL MEANS TO COMMIT SUICIDE; OR

(3) KNOWINGLY PARTICIPATE IN A PHYSICAL ACT BY WHICH ANOTHER
PERSON COMMITS OR ATTEMPTS TO COMMIT SUICIDE.

' (C) (1) A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL WHO ADMINISTERS,
PRESCRIBES, OR DISPENSES MEDICATIONS OR PROCEDURES TO RELIEVE PAIN, EVEN
IF THE MEDICATION OR PROCEDURE MAY HASTEN OR INCREASE THE RISK OF
DEATH, IS NOT IN VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, PROVIDED THAT
THE MEDICATIONS OR PROCEDURES ARE NOT ALSO ADMINISTERED, PRESCRIBED,
OR DISPENSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CAUSING, OR ASSISTING IN CAUSING, DEATH
FOR ANY REASON UNLESS THE MEDICATIONS OR PROCEDURES ARE KNOWINGLY
ADMINISTERED, PRESCRIBED, OR DISPENSED TO CAUSE DEATH.

(2) A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS A CARE GIVER FOR A PATIENT ENROLLED
IN A LICENSED HOSPICE PROGRAM AND WHO UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTERS OR DISPENSES MEDICATIONS OR
PROCEDURES TO RELIEVE PAIN, EVEN IF THE MEDICATION OR PROCEDURE MAY
HASTEN OR INCREASE THE RISK OF DEATH, IS NOT IN VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (B)
OF THIS SECTION UNLESS THE MEDICATIONS OR PROCEDURES ARE KNOWINGLY
ADMINISTERED OR DISPENSED TO CAUSE DEATH.

(2) (3) A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL WHO WITHHOLDS
OR WITHDRAWS A MEDICALLY ADMINISTERED LIFE SUSTAINING PROCEDURE IN
COMPLIANCE WITH § 5-609 THE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS ACT UNDER TITLE 5,