Hawaii: Thank You Representative Oshiro!

Representative Marcus Oshiro (in green)

This is a belated thank you to Representative Marcus Oshiro, one of the many people instrumental to the defeat of SB 1129, which had sought to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Hawaii.

Representative Oshiro took the lead to make stopping the bill one of his main goals for the legislative session. From my viewpoint, he was a major reason we won in what was also a great team effort. Choice is an Illusion got him a plaque in appreciation.

Hawaii Assisted Suicide Dealt Another Blow

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2017/07/15/medical-aid-in-dying-dealt-another-blow-in-hawaii/

Doug Chin, Hawaii AG

ARTICLE SUMMARY- They failed at the legislature this year, and now a court dismissed a lawsuit, but advocates have not given up.

(BIVN) – An Oahu circuit judge on Friday [07/14/17] dismissed a lawsuit asking the court to prevent existing Hawaii criminal laws from being applied to medical aid in dying [assisted suicide] practices.

In its decision, the court relied upon state legal precedent that prohibited it from issuing such relief, the state attorney general said in a media release. The attorney general opposed the suit, filing the successful motion to dismiss.

US House Committee Votes to Repeal DC Assisted Suicide Law

Rep. Harris

Yesterday, the US House Appropriations Committee voted to prohibit funds for physician-assisted suicide in the District of Columbia, and to repeal the District's Death with Dignity Act. The vote was taken pursuant to an amendment proposed by Representative Andy Harris, which was approved 28 to 24.

For more information about the vote, see this Press Release: "Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2018 Financial Services Bill."

For more information about the DC Act, click here.

Alabama: Assisted Suicide Ban Act to Go Into Effect

Governor Ivey

By Margaret K. Dore

On May 4, 2017, Governor Kay Ivey approved "Alabama's Assisted Suicide Ban Act." The Act's legislative findings include that in almost every state, it is a crime to assist a suicide.

Per the Act, any person who deliberately assists another person to commit suicide is guilty of a Class C felony. Violators are also subject to liability for damages, actions for wrongful death and suspension or revocation of professional healthcare licenses.

The Act provides that it "shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor."

To view a copy of the Act as enrolled, click here.

Delaware: Tell Legislators to Vote "No" on HB 160

For hard copy to hand out, click here
For supporting documentation, click here

• HB 160 legalizes assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined.

• The bill applies to people with years or decades to live.

• Assisting persons can have their own agendas: an adult child wanting an inheritance; a financial predator seeking financial gain; or a doctor wanting to hide malpractice.

Massachusetts: Michelle Carter Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter Due to Assisting Suicide

Conrad Roy III

NPR  A Massachusetts judge has found Michelle Carter guilty of involuntary manslaughter after, prosecutors say, the then-teenager sent a fellow teenager text messages that urged him to commit suicide.

Juvenile Court Judge Lawrence Moniz decided the case, which Carter had opted to be heard by a judge rather than a jury. Even before Moniz read his verdict Friday, Carter, 20, was weeping and holding a tissue in the courtroom. The judge agreed with prosecutors that Carter's "wanton and reckless conduct" had resulted in the death of Conrad Roy III.

Delaware Assisted Suicide Euthanasia Bill: Proposed Oversight is a Sham

State House, Dover DE

To view a pdf version, click these links to view the index, memo and appendix.

I.  INTRODUCTION 

HB 160 legalizes assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined. The bill is based on a similar law in Oregon, which has a near complete lack of transparency.

If Delaware enacts HB 160 and follows Oregon practice, there will be a similar lack of transparency. The safety and welfare of individuals will be unverifiable from state sources.

Nevada: Reject SB 261 (First Reprint)

To view a pdf version, click these links for the index, memo and appendix.

The issues addressed include why proposed patient protections ("safeguards") are unenforceable. See Section IX below. 

 Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

I.  INTRODUCTION

I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide is legal. Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon.[1] Both laws are similar to SB 261, which seeks to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Nevada.[2]

SB 261 is stacked against the individual and recipe for elder abuse. If enacted, the bill will encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives. I urge you to reject this measure.

An Open Letter to Mitchell Hamline School of Law: "Losing Your Freedom Is Like Losing Your Hair"

Mitchell Hamline Panel, 04 27 17

In April, I was honored to be one of four speakers at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. The event was a panel discussion regarding legislation seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Minnesota.  

I arrived at the event with a legal analysis and other materials addressing problems with the legislation. For example and contrary to backers’ claims, patient voluntariness is not assured. 

I started to hand out my materials. Proponents of the legislation, however, objected and a law student organizer backed them up to prevent distribution. 

Dore Letter to Nevada Committee: Bill Protections Are Unenforceable

"[T]his situation renders all
 bill protections ('safeguards')
unenforceable."

To view the full letter, click here and here

SB 261 sets forth patient protections in sections 3 through 26.[1] The bill also repeatedly says that actions are to be done in “accordance” with sections 3 through 26.[2]  . . .

The bill does not define “accordance.” [4] Dictionary definitions include “in the spirit of,” meaning in thought or intention.[5] In other words, a mere thought to comply with patient protections is good enough. Actual compliance is not required.

Australia: Mercy Killing - Assisted Suicide Bill Defeated

Paul Russell

http://noeuthanasia.org.au/blog/2549-tasmanian-assisted-suicide-bill-defeated-by-huge-margin.html

by Paul Russell

Last Wednesday (24th May 2017) the Tasmanian Parliament debated the latest assisted suicide and euthanasia bill to come before an Australian Parliament.

The final vote saw the bill, euphemistically entitled the ‘Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2016, defeated by a vote of two to one (16 votes to 8) in the Legislative Assembly.

Delaware Bill Seek to Legalize Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia, Applies to People with Years to Live, Is Stacked Against the Individual

For an index to Margaret Dore's legal memorandum, click here.
For the memorandum, click here For the appendix, part one, click here For the appendix, part two, click here For a bullet point hand out, click here

I.  INTRODUCTION

I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide is legal. Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon. Both laws are similar to HB 160, which seeks to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Delaware.

HB 160 is stacked against the individual and a recipe for elder abuse. If enacted, it will apply to people with years or decades to live.  I urge you to reject this measure.

More coming soon

Nevada: Dore Submissions Opposing SB 261

Carson City view

1.  One page Jeanette Hall Handout ("It's Great to Be Alive!"), available at https://choiceisanillusion.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/jeanette-single-flyer.pdf

2.  One page bullet point handout, "Reject SB 261, 'Choice' is a Big Fat Fib," available at https://choiceisanillusion.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/sb-261-dore-updated-one-page-handoiut.pdf

3.  Margaret Dore, Updated Legal Analysis, With Appendix, Opposing SB 261, available at  https://choiceisanillusion.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/sb-261-dore-updated-memo-appendix.pdf

South Dakota Initiated Measure Stacked Against the Patient and a Recipe for Elder Abuse

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

To view a pdf version of this document, click the following links: index, memo and appendix. To view a one page bullet point handout, click here.

I. INTRODUCTION

I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide is legal. [1] Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon. Both laws are similar to the initiated measure, which seeks to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in South Dakota.[2]

The initiated measure is sold as a promotion of patient choice and control. The measure is instead stacked against the patient and a recipe for elder abuse.

If enacted, the measure will apply to people with years or decades to live. People with years or decades to live will be encouraged to throw away their lives. I urge you to reject this  measure.

MN Euthanasia Bills: "Patient Choice and Control Is a Big Fat Fib"

Golden Quadriga, Minnisota State Capitol

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

To view a pdf version, click here for the memo index, memo and appendix. For a handout, click here.

I.  INTRODUCTION

I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide is legal,[1] Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon. Both laws are similar to HF 1885 and SF 1572, which seek to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined.[2]

The bills are sold as a promotion of patient choice and control, which is not true: The bills are stacked against the patient and a recipe for elder abuse.

The bills also apply to persons with years or decades to live. Passage will encourage such persons to throw away their lives. I urge you to reject HF 1885 and SF 1572.

Dore Memoradum and Legal Analysis Opposing Nevada Bill

By Margaret Dore. To view a pdf version, click here, here and here.

I.  INTRODUCTION

Jeanette Hall

I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide  is legal.[1] Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon.  Both laws are similar to the proposed bill, SB 261.[2]

The proposed bill seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined.  The bill sells these practices as a promotion of self-determination.  The bill is instead stacked against the patient and a recipe for elder abuse.

The bill applies to persons with years or decades to live.  Passage will encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives.  I urge you to vote “No” on SB 261.

Nevada Bill: "Assisting Persons Can Have Their Own Agenda"

Margaret Dore

http://www.ktvn.com/story/35138314/right-to-die-bill-still-alive-in-legislature

Margaret Dore, a lawyer in Washington state, said [that the Nevada] bill, SB 261] would have dire consequences. Besides encouraging people who may have years or decades yet to live to give up on life, it does not consider relatives or others who may pressure someone into voluntary suicide for nefarious reasons.

“Assisting persons can have their own agendas: an adult child wanting an inheritance; a financial predator seeking financial gain; or a doctor wanting to hide malpractice,” she said in a statement.

“The bill, if passed, will create he perfect crime,” she said.

Nevada Update: Hearing Cancelled

Today's hearing on SB 261, seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Nevada, was suddenly cancelled, apparently due to a lack of support. The bill, however, is not dead and could still be heard.

To read about problems with the bill, click here.

Tell the Nevada Legislature to Say "No" to SB 261

* SB 261 seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally
defined.

* Passing the proposed bill will encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives.

* The bill is sold as voluntary, but does not even have a provision requiring administration of the lethal dose to be voluntary.
 

* Assisting persons can have their own agendas: an adult child wanting an inheritance; a financial predator seeking financial gain; or a doctor wanting to hide malpractice.

Maine: Reject LD 347 & LD 1066

For legal analysis and back up documentation, click here and here. For a pdf handout version of this post, click here.

Highlights:

•  LD 347 & LD 1066 apply to people with years or decades to live.

• Enacting either bill will encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives.

• The bills are sold as providing a voluntary patient choice, but don’t even have a requirement of  voluntariness or consent when the lethal dose is administered.

Alaska Bill 54: Bad Things Happen in the Dark

By Margaret K. Dore, Esq., for a pdf version, click here.

HB 54 legalizes physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined. The bill is based on a similar law in Oregon, which has a near complete lack of transparency.

If Alaska enacts HB 54 and follows Oregon practice, there will be a similar lack of transparency. The safely and welfare of individual patients will be unverifiable from Alaska State sources.

Assisted suicide/euthanasia laws "surrounded by a sea of propaganda"

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2017/03/30/editorial/letters/state-needs-leaders-to-manage-airports/

Hawaii Bill is misleading, lacks protections

I was relieved to see a state House committee vote to delay consideration of Senate Bill 1129 [, which seeks to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Hawaii].

I attended the hearing at which [1129] was sold as completely voluntary, which isn’t true.

Hawaii Bill SB 1129 - “Choice” is a Big Fat Fib

Vote No on SB 1129 SD 2

No Assisted Suicide

No Euthanasia

Highlights:

• The act is sold as providing a voluntary patient choice, but doesn’t even have a requirement of  voluntariness, capability or consent when the lethal dose is administered. 

• People who ask about the act will lose their right to informed consent: They will lose the right to be told about alternatives for cure.

• The claim that self-administration is required is not true. The act says that a patient “may” self-administer the lethal dose. There is no language that administration “must” be by self-administration.