John Kasich approves bill that makes assisted suicide a felony
Ohio Governor John Kasich has signed a bill that strengthens the protections against assisted suicide.
The measure, also known as House Bill 470, was signed by the governor on Monday. It was passed by the Ohio House last May by a vote of 92–5. The Ohio Senate voted on the bill on Dec. 8.
The bill will make assisted suicide a third-degree felony in Ohio, and it carries a punishment of up to five years in prison, WMFD reported. Ohio currently allows courts to issue an injunction against anyone who assists others to commit suicide.
Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis expressed his gratitude to the governor and the Ohio General Assembly for extending the protections for human life in 2016.
"From conception until natural death, Ohio is leading the way in honoring the dignity of the human person," he said according to World Magazine.
"Thanks to the pro-life leadership of Gov. Kasich, Ohio has just placed a significant obstacle in the path of those wishing to erode and reverse our protections for the elderly and the terminally ill," he added.
The principal author of the bill, Republican State Senator Bill Seitz of Cincinnati, was approached by pro-life leaders this fall urging him to follow the example of Michigan, which made assisted suicide a felony in 1998.
"I thought it was a good idea. Because even though assisted suicide was against the law in Ohio already, there was not a criminal penalty attached to it," he told World.
Other states such as Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, and Arizona have also passed bills to strengthen protection against assisted suicide.
On the other hand, several states have moved to allow doctors to help kill their patients. Oregon was the first state to legalize assisted suicide in 1994. It was followed by Washington, Montana, Vermont, California, and Colorado.
On Tuesday, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a bill legalizing assisted suicide. The measure must be approved by Congress before it can become law. New York is also considering to pass a similar bill next year to allow the controversial practice.
Seitz said that the new law is "a welcome Christmas present for those in the pro-life movement in Ohio." He noted that there is no "epidemic of assisted suicide" in the state, but he said he wants to make sure it stays that way.