Section 22-8B-1 – Short Title.
Section 22-8B-1 Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Assisted Suicide Ban Act. (Act 2017-231, §1.)
Section 22-8B-2 – Legislative Findings.
Section 22-8B-2 Legislative findings. The Legislature finds all of the following: (1) In almost every state, it is a crime to assist a suicide. These bans are long-standing expressions of the commitment of the states to protect and preserve all human life. (2) The state has an interest in protecting vulnerable groups, including the impoverished, […]
Section 22-8B-3 – Definitions.
Section 22-8B-3 Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) AID IN DYING. The act of a person providing the means or manner for another person to be able to commit suicide, with actual knowledge that the person deliberately intends on committing suicide by that means or manner. […]
Section 22-8B-4 – Prohibited Activity.
Section 22-8B-4 Prohibited activity. (a) Any person who deliberately assists another person to commit suicide or provides aid in dying is guilty of a Class C felony. (b) Any physician or health care provider who prescribes any drug, compound, or substance to a patient deliberately to aid in dying or assists or performs any medical […]
Section 22-8B-5 – Liability for Damages; Wrongful Death Action; Suspension or Revocation of License.
Section 22-8B-5 Liability for damages; wrongful death action; suspension or revocation of license. (a) Any person, physician, or health care provider who deliberately violates this chapter by aiding in dying shall be liable for damages. (b) If any person deliberately aids in dying in violation of this chapter that results in death, the personal representative […]
Section 22-8B-6 – Construction of Chapter.
Section 22-8B-6 Construction of chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a physician or health care provider from doing any of the following: (1) Participating in the execution of a person sentenced by a court to death by any means recognized by Alabama law. (2) Following a patient’s wishes or health care […]
Section 22-8B-7 – Legislative Intent.
Section 22-8B-7 Legislative intent. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Attorney General exhaust the internal resources and personnel of the office prior to the retention of any outside counsel to assist in the defense of any constitutional challenge to this chapter. (Act 2017-231, §7.)