Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases penalties for individuals that assist minors or individuals with intellectual disabilities in committing suicide.

Highlights:

• Establishes a person may be convicted of criminal homicide for causing another to die by suicide only if he intentionally causes such suicide by force, duress or deception (Sec. 1.A).

• Specifies a person who intentionally aids or solicits another to die by suicide is guilty of a felony of the second degree if his conduct causes such suicide or an attempted suicide, and otherwise of a misdemeanor of the second degree (Sec. 1.B).

• Authorizes the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to provide for a sentence enhancement within its guidelines for an offense under this law when at the time of the offense the person who committed died by suicide or was aided or solicited to commit die by suicide is under 18 years of age or has an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder (Sec. 1.c-1).

• Classifies "intellectual disability" as a disability that, regardless of the age of the individual, causes significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning that is accompanied by significant limitations in adaptive functioning in at least two of the following skill areas (Sec. 1-2):

• Communication;

• Self-care;

• Home living;

• Social and interpersonal skills;

• Use of community resources;

• Self-direction;

• Functional academic skills;

• Work;

• Health; and

• Safety.

Full Bill Text