Signed by Governor Nathan Deal

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that prohibits assisted suicide.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any person from “knowingly and willfully” assisting another person in committing suicide (Sec. 1).

• Classifies assisted suicide as a felony punishable by at least 1 but no more than 10 years in prison (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following acts from the provisions of this bill, provided that the acts are performed with the patient’s consent (Sec. 1):
• The administration of medication or a medical procedure that is intended to relieve or prevent pain but not cause death, even if the medication or procedure increases the risk of death;
• Withholding or withdrawing medications, medical procedures, nourishment, or hydration;
• Administering medications or medical procedures pursuant to a living will, a durable power of attorney, an advanced directive for health care, or a written order not to resuscitate; and
• Withholding or withdrawing medications, medical procedures, nourishment, or hydration pursuant to a living will, a durable power of attorney, an advance directive for health care, or a written order not to resuscitate.

• Specifies that a health care provider who is convicted of a violation of this bill will have his or her license revoked (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and adopt additional amendments to a bill that prohibits assisted suicide.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any person from “knowingly and willfully” assisting another person in committing suicide (Sec. 1).

• Classifies assisted suicide as a felony punishable by at least 1 but no more than 10 years in prison (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following acts from the provisions of this bill, provided that the acts are performed with the patient’s consent (Sec. 1):
• The administration of medication or a medical procedure that is intended to relieve or prevent pain but not cause death, even if the medication or procedure increases the risk of death;
• Withholding or withdrawing medications, medical procedures, nourishment, or hydration;
• Administering medications or medical procedures pursuant to a living will, a durable power of attorney, an advanced directive for health care, or a written order not to resuscitate; and
• Withholding or withdrawing medications, medical procedures, nourishment, or hydration pursuant to a living will, a durable power of attorney, an advance directive for health care, or a written order not to resuscitate.

• Specifies that a health care provider who is convicted of a violation of this bill will have his or her license revoked (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits assisted suicide.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any individual from “knowingly and willfully” assisting another person in committing suicide (Sec. 1).

• Requires the penalty for assisting in a suicide to be a felony punishable by at least 1, but no more than 10 years, in prison (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following acts from the provisions of this bill, provided that the acts are performed with the patient’s consent (Sec. 1):
• The administration of medication or a medical procedure that is intended to relieve or prevent pain but not cause death, even if the medication or procedure increases the risk of death;
• Withholding or withdrawing medications, medical procedures, nourishment, or hydration;
• Administering medications or medical procedures pursuant to a living will, a durable power of attorney, an advance directive for health care, or a written order not to resuscitate; and
• Withholding or withdrawing medications, medical procedures, nourishment, or hydration pursuant to a living will, a durable power of attorney, an advance directive for health care, or a written order not to resuscitate.

• Requires a healthcare provider who is convicted of a violation of this bill to have his or her license revoked (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text