Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:964 Primary Sponsor:Richter Committee Number:11 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Suicide Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Judiciary Computer Document Number:964 Introduced Date:19940111 Last History Body:Senate Last History Date:19940111 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Richter Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved
____ ______ ____________ ______________________________ ___ ____________
964 Senate 19940111 Introduced, read first time, 11
referred to Committee
964 Senate 19931220 Prefiled, referred to 11
Committee
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TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16 OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-80 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF CRIMINAL ASSISTANCE TO SUICIDE, TO DEFINE THE OFFENSE, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 3, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 16-3-80. (A) A person who has knowledge that another person intends to commit or attempt to commit suicide and who intentionally provides the physical means by which the other person attempts or commits suicide, or participates in a physical act by which the other person attempts or commits suicide, is guilty of criminal assistance to suicide. Criminal assistance to suicide is a Class F felony, and upon conviction, the person must be imprisoned for not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.
(B) A licensed health care professional who administers, prescribes, or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve a person's pain or discomfort, even if the medication or procedure may hasten or increase the risk of death, is not guilty of assistance to suicide under this section unless the medications or procedures are knowingly and intentionally administered, prescribed, or dispensed to cause death.
(C) The provisions of this section do not apply to or affect laws applicable to withholding or withdrawing medical treatment by a licensed health care professional."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.