May27,1999

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 319.

This bill prohibits an individual, with the purpose of assisting another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide, from: 1) knowingly causing (by coercion, duress, or deception) another person to commit or attempt to commit suicide; 2) knowingly providing the physical means by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide with knowledge of the person's intent to use the physical means to commit suicide; or 3) knowingly participating in a physical act by which another person commits or attempts to commit suicide.

House Bill 496, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May 27, 1999, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 319.

Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening
Governor