Assisted Suicide Defeated

Senator Obie Patterson (in blue)

By Pamela Wood, Baltimore Sun

A measure that would have legalized medically assisted suicide in Maryland was defeated Wednesday on a dramatic tie vote in the state Senate.

Sen. Obie Patterson, a Prince George’s County Democrat, was in his seat but did not cast a vote, ultimately spelling the bill’s demise.

“I did not cast a vote simply because I could not bring myself to move right or left on the bill and therefore I didn’t vote at all,” Patterson told reporters later.

Attorney Sara Buscher Opposes SB 311

RE:  SB 311

Please do not vote for  this bill to be reported out of committee. Do everything you can to oppose passage.

Under the bill, safeguards end when the lethal dose is in the home. With no required witness, if the person struggled, who would know?

Slayers can inherit because 5-6A-11 (D)(2) says a death with such a lethal dose is not homicide.

Elder abuse affects 1 in 10 elders and triples their risk of death. https://www.ncoa.org/public-policy-action/elder-justice/elder-abusefacts/

Dore Memo Opposing HB 399 and SB 311

To view this memo and supporting documentation as a pdf, click here

I. INTRODUCTION  

I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide is legal.[1] Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon.[2] Both laws are similar to the proposed bills, HB 399 and SB 311.[3]

The bills seek to legalize physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined. The bills call these practices, “aid in dying.” If enacted, the bills will apply to people with years, even decades, to live.

The bills will also allow undue influence. A required falsification of the death record will provide cover for murder. I urge you to vote “No” on HB 399 and SB 311.