In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Licensed health care professional” means a duly licensed or certified: physician; surgeon; podiatrist; osteopath; osteopathic physician; osteopathic surgeon; physician assistant; registered nurse; licensed practical nurse; nurse practitioner; dentist; pharmacist; or emergency medical services provider, in accordance with § 13-516 of the Education Article. “Suicide” means the act or instance in which an individual intentionally takes the individual’s own life.

Attempted suicide is not a crime in the State. This section may not be construed to prohibit a person who commits one or more crimes in the course of attempting to commit suicide from being charged with the other crime or crimes.

With the purpose of assisting another individual to commit or attempt to commit suicide, an individual may not: by coercion, duress, or deception, knowingly cause another individual to commit suicide or attempt to commit suicide; knowingly provide the physical means by which another individual commits or attempts to commit suicide with knowledge of that individual’s intent to use the physical means to commit suicide; or knowingly participate in a physical act by which another individual commits or attempts to commit suicide.

A licensed health care professional does not violate § 3-102 of this subtitle by administering or prescribing a procedure or administering, prescribing, or dispensing a medication to relieve pain, even if the medication or procedure may hasten death or increase the risk of death, unless the licensed health care professional knowingly administers or prescribes the procedure or administers, prescribes, or dispenses the medication to cause death. A licensed health care professional does not violate § 3-102 of this subtitle by withholding or withdrawing a medically administered life-sustaining procedure: in compliance with Title 5, Subtitle 6 of the Health - General Article; or in accordance with reasonable medical practice. Unless the family member knowingly administers a procedure or administers or dispenses a medication to cause death, a family member does not violate § 3-102 of this subtitle if the family member: is a caregiver for a patient enrolled in a licensed hospice program; and administers the procedure or administers or dispenses the medication to relieve pain under the supervision of a health care professional. Paragraph (1) of this subsection applies even if the medication or procedure hastens death or increases the risk of death.

An individual who violates this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.