Law & Ethics for Health and Mental Health Providers

Course Description: Physician assisted suicide by various titles is legal in eleven states and the District of Columbia and internationally in an increasing number of countries. “End of Life” legislation has been introduced in the 2025 Maryland Legislative session and supporters are confident that it will pass and the Governor will sign.

During this Seminar we will examine the legal and ethical history of the right to refuse treatment and the right to die, the specifics of the proposed Maryland legislation, similar laws enacted in various states and countries and the positions of medical, social work, psychology and professional counselor associations.

The proposed Maryland legislation specifies the necessary requirements for an individual seeking to end his or her life and defines and attempts to protect the role of physicians, medical personnel and mental health providers when a request is made. Particularly controversial is that some countries that legalized physician assisted suicide now also have legalized euthanasia and include mental illness as qualifying for the required “terminal illness.”

Judge Dana Moylan Wright of the Washington County Circuit Court will again join Dr. Burke to provide insights about physician assisted suicide and the proposed legislation.

Featuring:

J. Emmet Burke, PhD, JD Clinical Psychologist, Brook Lane. Dr. Burke holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law.

The Honorable Dana Moylan Wright, Circuit Court, Washington County, Maryland. Judge Wright has a special interest in mental health and has participated in Brook Lane’s annual clinical, legal and ethics seminars for the last 10 years to share with clinicians some of the court’s insight regarding issues of mental health.

This program is funded in part by the William B. and Sylvia A. Hunsberger Fund.