Senate Bill 1573 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 39-13-216, which pertains to the offense of assisted suicide. The bill redefines the criteria for committing assisted suicide by specifying that a person can be charged if they intentionally provide means or participate in acts that lead another person to bring about their own death, with actual knowledge and clear intent regarding the other person's intentions. Additionally, it establishes that advising or encouraging someone to commit suicide, with the knowledge that they intend to do so imminently, also constitutes assisted suicide.

The bill also modifies the classification of the offense, stating that assisted suicide is generally a Class D felony, but elevates it to a Class C felony if the victim is a minor. This change aims to impose stricter penalties in cases involving minors. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to acts committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-13-216(a), 39-13-216, 39-13-216(g)