Stop Online Suicide Assistance Forums Act

Bill: 117-hr-9260
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
Introduced: 2022-10-31
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2022-10-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-10-31
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Stop Online Suicide Assistance Forums Act</b></p> <p>This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for using the mail or interstate communication to intentionally assist another individual in taking that individual's own life. The bill imposes criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both&#8212;for an offense results in death.</p> <p>The bill provides that any action taken in accordance with state laws governing physician-assisted end of life shall not constitute an offense.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9260 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 31, 2022 Mrs. Trahan (for herself, Mr. Carey , Mr. Stewart , and Ms. Porter ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To prohibit the use of mail or interstate communications to assist suicide, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stop Online Suicide Assistance Forums Act . 2. Prohibition assisted suicide (a) In general Chapter 51 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 1123. Prohibiting assisted suicide through certain communications (a) In general Whoever uses mail or interstate communication to intentionally assist another individual in taking that individual’s own life, and death results, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (b) Limitation Any action taken in accordance with State laws governing physician-assisted end of life shall not constitute an offense under subsection (a). (c) Rules of construction (1) State laws Nothing in this section shall preempt the authority of a State to enact laws relating to assisted suicide within such State. (2) Suicide Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to make unlawful or otherwise criminalize the act of suicide or deliberate self-injury, or punish the person committing any such act. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Assist The term assist means, with respect to a person assisting another individual in taking that individual’s own life, that— (A) the person specifically aims to facilitate the individual’s suicide; and (B) the person furnishes the individual with substantial material support to facilitate the suicide, or with substantial communication facilitating the suicide at the same time as an attempt or act of suicide is occurring. (2) Material support The term material support means any tangible property. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of section for chapter 51 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 1123. Prohibiting assisted suicide through certain communications. .