Suicide; abolishes the common-law crime. (HB1063)
Introduced By
Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
✓ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Common-law crime of suicide. Abolishes the common-law crime of suicide. Suicide is currently a common-law crime in Virginia, although there is no statutorily prescribed punishment. Read the Bill »
Status
12/04/2020: Failed to Pass in Committee
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/07/2020 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20100984D |
| 01/07/2020 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
| 01/23/2020 | Assigned Courts sub: Criminal |
| 01/29/2020 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N) |
| 01/29/2020 | Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee for Courts of Justice Civil subcommittee |
| 01/30/2020 | Assigned Courts sub: Civil |
| 02/03/2020 | Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 1-N) |
| 02/05/2020 | House committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered |
| 02/05/2020 | Reported from Courts of Justice (15-Y 7-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/06/2020 | Read first time |
| 02/07/2020 | Passed by temporarily |
| 02/07/2020 | Read second time and engrossed |
| 02/10/2020 | Read third time and passed House (63-Y 36-N) |
| 02/10/2020 | VOTE: Passage (63-Y 36-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/11/2020 | Constitutional reading dispensed |
| 02/11/2020 | Referred to Committee on the Judiciary |
| 02/19/2020 | Continued to 2021 in Judiciary (10-Y 3-N) (see vote tally) |
| 12/04/2020 | Left in Judiciary |
Comments
As a survivor of a loved one's suicide, I strongly support this bill. Most individuals who take their own life have mental health issues (estimated 90%). Considering suicide a crime does not deter suicides, it doesn't penalize those who take their lives. Instead, it contributes to the stigma that keeps people from getting help, from discussing their fears and concerns with their loved ones. The family and friends left behind suffer from the death. Having this death considered a crime is cruel and is not based on evidence (individuals must possess the mental capacity to comprehend the impact of their actions; there is no evidence that calling this a crime is preventative). It adds further suffering to those left behind.
There are a number of issues raised when this bill comes before the General Assembly - concerns about opening the door to assisted suicide, concerns about limiting death investigations. These concerns have NO BASIS in FACT. Religion is often brought up as a reason to maintain the criminal designation. However, major religious groups and leaders do not support crimminalization of the act or demonization of the individual, but rather support compassion and prevention.
Taking life with one's own hand is tragic. It is not criminal. Change this medieval theory that no longer exists in Western, modern nations and states. Oppressive societies might still recognize it as a crime. The Commonwealth of Virginia is better than that. Now is the time to repeal a law that should never have been a part of this state's history.
This bill cruelly and heartlessly criminalizes what is always a tragedy - for the victim, and for all of his or her loved ones. People commit suicide out of deep despair, or out of delusions brought on by mental illness, or substance abuse. How can someone under these circumstances ever be considered guilty of anything? The idea that suicide is a crime is rooted in medieval religious dogma, and has no place in a modern, humane world. Please repeal this law immediately. It causes untold suffering.