May 27, 1999

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed Senate Bill 319.

This bill prohibits an individual, with the purpose of assisting another person to
commit or attempt to commit suicide, from: 1) knowingly causing (by coercion, duress,
or deception) another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide; 2) knowingly
providing the physical means by which another person commits or attempts to
commit suicide with knowledge of the person's intent to use the physical means to
commit suicide; or 3) knowingly participating in a physical act by which another
person commits or attempts to commit suicide.

House Bill 496, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May
27, 1999, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign
Senate Bill 319.

Sincerely,

Parris N. Glendening
Governor

Senate Bill 319

AN ACT concerning

Assisted Suicide - Prohibition

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from assisting another person's suicide or
suicide attempt; excepting certain medical situations and procedures; allowing
certain persons with standing to seek civil or injunctive relief, and reasonable

attorney's fees, from a violator of this Act; allowing certain persons with
standing to seek certain civil penalties; allowing the relevant licensing board to
take administrative action against a violator of this Act; establishing certain
penalties for a violation of this Act; making provisions of this. Act severable;
defining certain terms; and generally relating to assisted suicide.

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 416 to be under the new subheading "Assisted Suicide"
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: