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1995 SESSION

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LD0300324
HOUSE BILL NO. 2539 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the House Committee for Courts of Justice on February 5, 1995) (Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Marshall) A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 4 of Title 18.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of a section numbered 18.2-76.3, relating to assisted suicide; penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 4 of Title 18.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of a section numbered 18.2-76.3, as follows:

Article 10. Assisted Suicide.

§ 18.2-76.3. Assisted suicide.

A. Any person who intentionally or knowingly, with the purpose of assisting another person to commit suicide, participates in a physical act by which another person commits suicide, shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.

B. A licensed health care provider who administers, prescribes, or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve another person's pain or discomfort, even if the medication or procedure may hasten or increase the risk of death, does not violate the provisions of this article.

C. A licensed health care provider who withholds or withdraws a life-prolonging procedure as defined in § 54.1-2982 is not in violation of the provisions of this article.

D. For purposes of this article,

“Licensed health care provider” means a physician and surgeon, podiatrist, osteopath, osteopathic physician and surgeon, physician assistant, nurse, dentist, or pharmacist licensed under the laws of this Commonwealth.

“Suicide” means the act of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment in state correctional facilities. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is $0.00.