17. a.
(1)Except as provided in sections 18 and 19 of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-18 and C.26:16-19), a person shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or professional disciplinary action, or subject to censure, discipline, suspension, or loss of any licensure, certification, privileges, or membership, for any action taken in compliance with the provisions of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.), including being present when a qualified terminally ill patient self-administers medication prescribed pursuant to P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.), or for the refusal to take any action in furtherance of, or to otherwise participate in, a request for medication pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.). A person who substantially complies in good faith with the provisi
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17. a. (1) Except as provided in sections 18 and 19 of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-18 and C.26:16-19), a person shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or professional disciplinary action, or subject to censure, discipline, suspension, or loss of any licensure, certification, privileges, or membership, for any action taken in compliance with the provisions of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.), including being present when a qualified terminally ill patient self-administers medication prescribed pursuant to P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.), or for the refusal to take any action in furtherance of, or to otherwise participate in, a request for medication pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.). A person who substantially complies in good faith with the provisions of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.) shall be deemed to be in compliance with its provisions. (2) Any action taken in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.) shall not constitute patient abuse or neglect, suicide, assisted suicide, mercy killing, euthanasia, or homicide under any law of this State. (3) A patient's request for, or the provision of, medication in compliance with the provisions of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.) shall not constitute abuse or neglect of an elderly person or provide the sole basis for the appointment of a guardian or conservator. b. The provisions of subsection a. of this section shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct. c. Any action taken by a health care professional to participate in P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.) shall be voluntary on the part of that individual. If a health care professional is unable or unwilling to carry out a patient's request under P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.), and the patient transfers the patient's care to a new health care professional or health care facility, the prior health care professional shall transfer, upon request, a copy of the patient's relevant records to the new health care professional or health care facility. L.2019, c.59, s.17.