Any licensed health care professional who administers, prescribes, or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve another person's pain or discomfort, even if the medication or procedure may hasten, or increase the risk of, death, does not violate § 22-16-37, unless the medications or procedures are knowingly administered, prescribed, or dispensed with a purpose to cause death. Any licensed health care professional who withholds or withdraws a life-sustaining procedure, in compliance with chapter 34-12D or in accordance with reasonable medical practice, does not violate § 22-16-37.
S.D. Codified Laws § 34-12D-23
Health care professional--Knowledge and purpose required for conviction of aiding and abetting suicide
Source: SDCL § 22-16-37.1; SL 2005, ch 120, §§ 168, 170.
Official source: South Dakota Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain South Dakota statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.