Most states have laws against aiding a suicide or assisted suicide. These laws are usually found in the state’s statutes, and sometimes in the state’s court opinions or case law (common law). The severity level of these crimes range from misdemeanors to felonies.
In Kansas, aiding or assisting suicide is considered a crime under state law. Specifically, Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) 21-5407 states that aiding, advising, or encouraging another person to commit suicide is a level 9 person felony. This law applies regardless of whether suicide is attempted or completed. The statute does not distinguish between misdemeanors and felonies for this offense; it is classified as a felony. Additionally, there is no legal provision in Kansas that allows for physician-assisted suicide, which is consistent with the majority of states in the United States. Therefore, any form of assistance in the act of suicide is subject to criminal prosecution under Kansas law.