Delaware — Governor Matt Meyer signed into law House Bill 140, the Ron Silverio/Heather Block Delaware End-of-Life Options Act, granting terminally ill residents with six months or less to live the legal option to obtain prescription medication to end their lives. The legislation positions Delaware as the 12th U.S. jurisdiction to allow medical aid in dying and follows more than a decade of advocacy and legislative efforts, including a veto by the previous governor in 2024. The law sets strict eligibility and procedural safeguards. Patients must be Delaware residents diagnosed with a terminal illness and capable of making their own request. Requests must be made verbally and in writing, witnessed by two adults, and subject to multiple waiting periods. Physicians licensed in Delaware must verify the patient’s mental capacity and may refuse to prescribe medication at their discretion. Health facilities can opt out of participation but must notify the public accordingly. Legislative debates echoed broader ethical discussions, with opponents citing moral and coercion concerns while supporters emphasized personal autonomy and choice. Implementation will require up to nine months to establish regulations and protocols. The law is set to take effect January 1, 2026, or sooner depending on regulatory progress.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer
Photo: governor.delaware.gov/