Prevention of Assisted Suicide Act Exposed

The Prevention of Assisted Suicide Act is listed under ALEC's Health and Human Services Task Force and was included in the 1987 ALEC Sourcebook of American State Legislation. ALEC has attempted to distance itself from this piece of legislation after the launch of ALECexposed.org in 2011, but it has done nothing to get it repealed in the states where it previously pushed for it to be made into law.

CMD's Bill Summary

This bill would criminalize the act of assisting another person to commit suicide, including advice to and encouragement of another committing suicide. It demonstrates the socially conservative elements of ALEC membership.

ALEC Bill Text

Model Legislation

(Title, enacting clause, etc.)

Section 1. [Short title.] This act may be cited as the Prevention of Assisted Suicides Act. [An amendment to the state criminal code.]

Section 2. [Assisted suicide–Unlawful act.] A person shall be guilty of a [name of serious felony] who intentionally, knowingly, or willfully:

(A) Aids, abets, assists, advises, or encourages another to commit suicide; or

(B) Provides to, deliveries to, or procures for another any drug or instrument with knowledge that the other may attempt to commit suicide with the drug or instrument.

Section 3. [Failure to commit not a defense.] Failure of another to commit suicide shall not be a defense to a person charged with committing an act under Section 2.

Section 4. [Wrongful death.] Any person who aids and abets the suicide of another may be civilly liable for the wrongful death of the suicide victim.

Section 5. [Severability clause.]

Section 6. [Repealer clause.]

Section 7. [Effective date.]

1987 Sourcebook of American State Legislation