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1997 SESSION

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SB 788 Assisted suicide.

Introduced by: Mark L. Earley | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY:

Assisted suicide. Authorizes the Commonwealth's attorney to bring an action to recover a civil penalty against any person who intentionally or knowingly assists another to commit or attempt to commit suicide. The civil penalty may not exceed $10,000 for a first offense and $100,000 for a second offense and is to be paid into the Literary Fund.

Any health care provider found liable for the civil penalty will have his professional license permanently revoked.

The bill allows for an injunction to prevent a violation or attempted violation; grants to the spouse, parent, child or sibling of the person attempting suicide a cause of action for damages (compensatory and exemplary); and requires attorney's fees to be paid to a successful plaintiff or to a defendant if the court finds the case was frivolous or brought in bad faith.

The bill will become law if reenacted by the 1998 General Assembly.


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