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.