{"data":{"id":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-26-16-18","jurisdiction":"us-nj","citation":"N.J. Stat. § 26:16-18","heading":"Violations, degree of crime.","body":"18. a. A person who, without authorization of the patient, and with the intent or effect of causing the patient's death, willfully alters or forges a request for medication pursuant to P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.) or conceals or destroys a rescission of that request, is guilty of a crime of the second degree.\nb.\tA person who coerces or exerts undue influence on a patient to request medication pursuant to P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.) or to destroy a rescission of a request is guilty of a crime of the third degree.\nc.\tTheft of medication prescribed to a qualified terminally ill patient pursuant to P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.) shall constitute an offense involving theft of a controlled dangerous substance as set forth in N.J.S.2C:20-2.\nd.\tNothing in P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.) shall limit liability for civil damages resulting from the negligence or intentional misconduct of any person.\ne.\tThe penalties set forth in this section shall not preclude the imposition of any other criminal penalty applicable under law for conduct that is inconsistent with the provisions of P.L.2019, c.59 (C.26:16-1 et al.).\nL.2019, c.59, s.18.","path":["TITLE 26 HEALTH AND VITAL STATISTICS"],"source_url":"https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/STATUTES-TEXT.zip","current_through":"P.L.2025, c.405, and J.R.22","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T17:54:13Z","sha256":"8a805b2a82f4701b6d0e2d0490242b451978cedfb573e9e904253a3187fd1098","source_id":"us-nj","stale":true,"prev":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-26-16-17","next":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-26-16-19"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}