Bill > H1748

This bill proposes to add a new section to Chapter 265 of the General Laws focused on preventing suicide by establishing criminal penalties for individuals who have knowledge of another person's suicidal intentions and engage in certain harmful behaviors. The bill defines key terms such as "suicide" (death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die), "suicide attempt" (non-fatal self-directed potentially injurious behavior with intent to die), and "suicidal ideation" (thinking about, considering, or planning suicide). Under the proposed law, a person could face up to 5 years in state prison if they have actual knowledge of another's suicidal intentions and either: (1) exercise substantial control over the person through manipulation or undue influence, intentionally coerce or encourage suicide, and the person subsequently dies or attempts suicide; or (2) provide physical means or knowledge of means to die by suicide, or participate in an act that aids or encourages suicide. The bill includes an important exemption for medical treatments lawfully administered by licensed physicians and specifies that a person found guilty under this section cannot also be prosecuted for manslaughter for the same incident.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1748