SB5,SD1 - Physician Assisted Suicide.doc
THE SENATE
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HAWAII SILVER LEGISLATURE, 2005
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
S.B. NO.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE AUTHORIZATION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE SILVER LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The Silver Legislature believes that a
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terminally ill patient's decision-making over the time and means
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of death is a highly personal matter. A terminally ill
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patient's request for the assistance of a physician to
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accelerate death ought to be treated with dignity and respect.
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Therefore, the Silver Legislature finds it appropriate,
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compassionate, and humane to authorize a physician to prescribe
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medication to empower a mentally competent, terminally ill,
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adult patient, who has a full understanding of options and
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consequences, to exercise control over this intensely private
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decision. The purpose of this Act is to authorize physician
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assisted suicide.
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SECTION 2. A terminally ill, competent adult suffering
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from an incurable and irreversible disease that will produce
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death within six months may obtain, upon written request, a
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prescription from a licensed physician for medication of a self-
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administered oral lethal dose.
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SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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