Bill Seeking to Legalize Assisted Suicide Dies in Committee

On January 24, 2018, SB 249, a bill seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia, was introduced in the Ohio Senate.

On March 21, 2018, the bill was referred to the Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee.

On April 17, 2018, a first hearing was held in committee, where the bill failed to advance. Click here to view bill text.

Governor Signs Bill Making Assisted Suicide a Felony

Governor John Kasich

On December 19, 2016, Governor John Kasich signed a bill requiring licensing of palliative care facilities. The bill, HB 470, included Section 3795.04, making assisted suicide a felony, as follows:

(A) Except as provided in section 3795.03 of the Revised Code, no person shall knowingly cause another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide by doing either of the following:

(1) Providing the physical means by which the other person commits or attempts to commit suicide;

(2) Participating in a physical act by which the other person commits or attempts to commit suicide.

(B) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of assisting suicide, a felony of the third degree.