45 CFR § 1643.2 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t45/s1643.2"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "45 CFR § 1643.2 - Definitions."
title_number: 45
title_name: "Public Welfare"
section_number: "1643.2"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION"
part_number: "1643"
part_name: "RESTRICTION ON ASSISTED SUICIDE, EUTHANASIA, AND MERCY KILLING"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Pub. L. 105-12; 42 U.S.C. 2996f(b)(11)."
regulatory_source: "62 FR 67749, Dec. 30, 1997, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1643"
---


# 1643.2 Definitions.

(a) *Assisted suicide* means the provision of any means to another person with the intent of enabling or assisting that person to commit suicide.

(b) *Euthanasia (or mercy killing)* is the use of active means by one person to cause the death of another person for reasons assumed to be merciful, regardless of whether the person killed consents to be killed.

(c) *Suicide* means the act or instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally.