States have legalised voluntary assisted dying, but doctors could be prosecuted for talking about it on the phone Even in some states where voluntary assisted dying has been legalised, doctors are worried a federal law that prohibits the discussion of suicide in any communications over the phone or internet could lead to prosecution. 1 July 2021 As more and more states move to legalise euthanasia, there are calls for the federal government to scrap a law that prevents telehealth consultations that discuss voluntary assisted dying. A federal law under the Commonwealth Criminal Code prohibits the discussion of suicide in any communications over the phone or internet.