117 HR 9260 IH: Stop Online Suicide Assistance Forums Act U.S. House of Representatives 2022-10-31 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9260IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 31, 2022Mrs. Trahan (for herself, Mr. Carey, Mr. Stewart, and Ms. Porter) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo 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..