{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-622.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-622.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-622.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-622.1.html"}],"law_id":73897,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73897,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-622.1","catch_line":"Injunction against assisted suicide; damages; professional sanctions","history":"1998, c. 624; 2015, c. 710.","full_text":"A\n\nAny person who knowingly and intentionally, with the purpose of assisting another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide, (i) provides the physical means by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide or (ii) participates in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide shall be liable for damages as provided in this section and may be enjoined from such acts.B\n\nA cause of action for injunctive relief against any person who is reasonably expected to assist or attempt to assist a suicide may be maintained by any person who is the spouse, parent, child, sibling or guardian of, or a current or former licensed health care provider of, the person who would commit suicide; by an attorney for the Commonwealth with appropriate jurisdiction; or by the Attorney General. The injunction shall prevent the person from assisting any suicide in the Commonwealth.C\n\nA spouse, parent, child or sibling of a person who commits or attempts to commit suicide may recover compensatory and punitive damages in a civil action from any person who provided the physical means for the suicide or attempted suicide or who participated in a physical act by which the other person committed or attempted to commit suicide.D\n\nA licensed health care provider who assists or attempts to assist a suicide shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct for which his certificate or license to provide health care services in the Commonwealth shall be suspended or revoked by the licensing authority.E\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to limit or conflict with § 54.1-2971.01 or the Health Care Decisions Act (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.). This section shall not apply to a licensed health care provider who (i) administers, prescribes or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve another person’s pain or discomfort and without intent to cause death, even if the medication or procedure may hasten or increase the risk of death, or (ii) withholds or withdraws life-prolonging procedures as defined in § 54.1-2982. This section shall not apply to any person who properly administers a legally prescribed medication without intent to cause death, even if the medication may hasten or increase the risk of death.F\n\nFor purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Licensed health care provider” means a physician, surgeon, podiatrist, osteopath, osteopathic physician and surgeon, physician assistant, nurse, dentist or pharmacist licensed under the laws of this Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Suicide” means the act or instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":265729,"text":"Any person who knowingly and intentionally, with the purpose of assisting another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide, (i) provides the physical means by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide or (ii) participates in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide shall be liable for damages as provided in this section and may be enjoined from such acts.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":265730,"text":"A cause of action for injunctive relief against any person who is reasonably expected to assist or attempt to assist a suicide may be maintained by any person who is the spouse, parent, child, sibling or guardian of, or a current or former licensed health care provider of, the person who would commit suicide; by an attorney for the Commonwealth with appropriate jurisdiction; or by the Attorney General. The injunction shall prevent the person from assisting any suicide in the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":265731,"text":"A spouse, parent, child or sibling of a person who commits or attempts to commit suicide may recover compensatory and punitive damages in a civil action from any person who provided the physical means for the suicide or attempted suicide or who participated in a physical act by which the other person committed or attempted to commit suicide.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":265732,"text":"A licensed health care provider who assists or attempts to assist a suicide shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct for which his certificate or license to provide health care services in the Commonwealth shall be suspended or revoked by the licensing authority.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":265733,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or conflict with § 54.1-2971.01 or the Health Care Decisions Act (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.). This section shall not apply to a licensed health care provider who (i) administers, prescribes or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve another person’s pain or discomfort and without intent to cause death, even if the medication or procedure may hasten or increase the risk of death, or (ii) withholds or withdraws life-prolonging procedures as defined in § 54.1-2982. This section shall not apply to any person who properly administers a legally prescribed medication without intent to cause death, even if the medication may hasten or increase the risk of death.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":265734,"text":"For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Licensed health care provider” means a physician, surgeon, podiatrist, osteopath, osteopathic physician and surgeon, physician assistant, nurse, dentist or pharmacist licensed under the laws of this Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Suicide” means the act or instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14937,"edition_id":1,"name":"Injunctions","identifier":"24","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:54","permalink":{"id":279229,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14937,"identifier":"24","token":"8.01\/24","url":"\/8.01\/24\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":69313,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-620","catch_line":"General jurisdiction of circuit court to award injunctions","url":"\/8.01-620\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-620","metadata":false},{"id":63364,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-621","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-621\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-621","metadata":false},{"id":80622,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-622","catch_line":"Injunction to protect plaintiff in suit for specific property","url":"\/8.01-622\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-622","metadata":false},{"id":73897,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-622.1","catch_line":"Injunction against assisted suicide; damages; professional sanctions","url":"\/8.01-622.1\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-622.1","metadata":false},{"id":75968,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-622.2","catch_line":"Injunction against disclosure of criminal investigative file materials under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act","url":"\/8.01-622.2\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-622.2","metadata":false},{"id":60042,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-623","catch_line":"Injunction against decree subject to bill of review; limitations to bill of review","url":"\/8.01-623\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-623","metadata":false},{"id":81519,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-624","catch_line":"Duration of temporary injunctions to be fixed therein","url":"\/8.01-624\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-624","metadata":false},{"id":67443,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-625","catch_line":"Dissolution of injunctions","url":"\/8.01-625\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-625","metadata":false},{"id":65243,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-626","catch_line":"Review of injunction; petitions for review","url":"\/8.01-626\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-626","metadata":false},{"id":59676,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-627","catch_line":"To what clerk order for injunction directed","url":"\/8.01-627\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-627","metadata":false},{"id":72595,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-628","catch_line":"Equity of prayer for temporary injunction to be shown by affidavit or otherwise","url":"\/8.01-628\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-628","metadata":false},{"id":76915,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-629","catch_line":"Notice required","url":"\/8.01-629\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-629","metadata":false},{"id":63522,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-630","catch_line":"Forthcoming bond in connection with injunction against removal of property","url":"\/8.01-630\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-630","metadata":false},{"id":63953,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-631","catch_line":"Injunction bond","url":"\/8.01-631\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-631","metadata":false},{"id":71716,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-631.1","catch_line":"Environmental injunction; financial capacity","url":"\/8.01-631.1\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-631.1","metadata":false},{"id":57000,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-632","catch_line":"How surety in forthcoming bond may obtain additional security","url":"\/8.01-632\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-632","metadata":false},{"id":82810,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-633","catch_line":"Damages on dissolution","url":"\/8.01-633\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-633","metadata":false},{"id":57700,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-634","catch_line":"Dismissal of injunction bill","url":"\/8.01-634\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-634","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":80622,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-622","catch_line":"Injunction to protect plaintiff in suit for specific property","url":"\/8.01-622\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-622","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75968,"structure_id":14937,"section_number":"8.01-622.2","catch_line":"Injunction against disclosure of criminal investigative file materials under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act","url":"\/8.01-622.2\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-622.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-622.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1998. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 624<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2015, chapter 710<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":57814,"section_number":"54.1-2971.01","catch_line":"Prescription in excess of recommended dosage in certain cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2971.01\/"},{"id":77307,"section_number":"54.1-2981","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2981\/"},{"id":56308,"section_number":"54.1-2982","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2982\/"}],"permalink":{"id":279243,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73897,"identifier":"8.01-622.1","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-622.1","url":"\/8.01-622.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-622.1\/","token":"8.01\/24\/8.01-622.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Injunction against assisted suicide; damages; professional sanctions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-622.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any person<\/span> who knowingly and intentionally, with the purpose of assisting another person<\/span> to commit or attempt to commit suicide<\/span>, (i) provides the physical means by which another person<\/span> commits or attempts to commit suicide<\/span> or (ii) participates in a physical act by which another person<\/span> commits or attempts to commit suicide<\/span> shall be liable for damages<\/span> as provided in this section and may be enjoined from such acts. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A cause of action<\/span> for injunctive relief against any person<\/span> who is reasonably expected to assist or attempt to assist a suicide<\/span> may be maintained by any person<\/span> who is the spouse, parent, child, sibling or guardian of, or a current or former licensed health care provider<\/span> of, the person<\/span> who would commit suicide<\/span>; by an attorney for the Commonwealth with appropriate jurisdiction<\/span>; or by the Attorney General<\/span>. The injunction<\/span> shall prevent the person<\/span> from assisting any suicide<\/span> in the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A spouse, parent, child or sibling of a person<\/span> who commits or attempts to commit suicide<\/span> may recover compensatory and punitive damages<\/span> in a civil action<\/span> from any person<\/span> who provided the physical means for the suicide<\/span> or attempted suicide<\/span> or who participated in a physical act by which the other person<\/span> committed or attempted to commit suicide<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A licensed health care provider<\/span> who assists or attempts to assist a suicide<\/span> shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct for which his certificate or license to provide health care services in the Commonwealth shall be suspended or revoked by the licensing authority. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or conflict with § 54.1-2971.01<\/a> or the Health Care Decisions Act (§ 54.1-2981<\/a> et seq.). This section shall not apply to a licensed health care provider<\/span> who (i) administers, prescribes or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve another person<\/span>’s pain or discomfort and without intent<\/span> to cause death, even if the medication or procedure may hasten or increase the risk of death, or (ii) withholds or withdraws life-prolonging procedures as defined in § 54.1-2982<\/a>. This section shall not apply to any person<\/span> who properly administers a legally prescribed medication without intent<\/span> to cause death, even if the medication may hasten or increase the risk of death. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Licensed health care provider<\/span>” means a physician, surgeon, podiatrist, osteopath, osteopathic physician and surgeon, physician assistant, nurse, dentist or pharmacist licensed under the laws<\/span> of this Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Suicide<\/span>” means the act or instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINJUNCTION AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE; DAMAGES; PROFESSIONAL SANCTIONS (\u00a7\n8.01-622.1)\n\nA. Any person who knowingly and intentionally, with the purpose of assisting\nanother person to commit or attempt to commit suicide, (i) provides the physical\nmeans by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide or (ii)\nparticipates in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts to\ncommit suicide shall be liable for damages as provided in this section and may\nbe enjoined from such acts.\n\nB. A cause of action for injunctive relief against any person who is reasonably\nexpected to assist or attempt to assist a suicide may be maintained by any\nperson who is the spouse, parent, child, sibling or guardian of, or a current or\nformer licensed health care provider of, the person who would commit suicide; by\nan attorney for the Commonwealth with appropriate jurisdiction; or by the\nAttorney General. The injunction shall prevent the person from assisting any\nsuicide in the Commonwealth.\n\nC. A spouse, parent, child or sibling of a person who commits or attempts to\ncommit suicide may recover compensatory and punitive damages in a civil action\nfrom any person who provided the physical means for the suicide or attempted\nsuicide or who participated in a physical act by which the other person\ncommitted or attempted to commit suicide.\n\nD. A licensed health care provider who assists or attempts to assist a suicide\nshall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct for which his\ncertificate or license to provide health care services in the Commonwealth shall\nbe suspended or revoked by the licensing authority.\n\nE. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or conflict with §\n54.1-2971.01 or the Health Care Decisions Act (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.). This\nsection shall not apply to a licensed health care provider who (i) administers,\nprescribes or dispenses medications or procedures to relieve another\nperson’s pain or discomfort and without intent to cause death, even if the\nmedication or procedure may hasten or increase the risk of death, or (ii)\nwithholds or withdraws life-prolonging procedures as defined in §\n54.1-2982. This section shall not apply to any person who properly administers a\nlegally prescribed medication without intent to cause death, even if the\nmedication may hasten or increase the risk of death.\n\nF. For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Licensed health care provider” means a physician, surgeon,\npodiatrist, osteopath, osteopathic physician and surgeon, physician assistant,\nnurse, dentist or pharmacist licensed under the laws of this Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Suicide” means the act or instance of taking one’s own\nlife voluntarily and intentionally.\n\nHISTORY: 1998, c. 624; 2015, c. 710.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}