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 Kentucky, assisting in a suicide is considered a criminal act. Kentucky law explicitly prohibits aiding, assisting, or causing another person to commit suicide. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) § 216.302, it is a felony to provide physical assistance or to participate in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide. The law does not distinguish between misdemeanors and felonies for this offense; it is treated as a felony. Additionally, there is no legal provision in Kentucky 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 Kentucky law.