34-12D-23. Health care professional--Knowledge and purpose required for conviction of aiding and abetting suicide.
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.
Source: SDCL §22-16-37.1; SL 2005, ch 120, §§168, 170.