
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, a Democrat, has signed the End-of-Life Options Act into law, legalizing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.
The new law, which will take effect next year, permits mentally competent adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less to live to request a prescription for life-ending medication.
Governor Meyer stated the bill is about compassion, dignity, and respect for personal choice, emphasizing the importance of allowing individuals to face their final moments with peace and control.
Delaware joins ten other states, including California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, as well as Washington, D.C., in allowing medical aid in dying.
The End-of-Life Options Act was sponsored by Democratic State Representative Eric Morrison.
The law includes safeguards, such as requiring patients to be informed about alternative end-of-life care options like palliative care and hospice, as well as two waiting periods and a second medical opinion before a prescription can be obtained.
The legislation had faced rejection in the Delaware legislature last year but was successfully championed by Governor Meyer in the current session, concluding nearly a decade of debate.
Supporters of the law, including State Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, believe it honors the autonomy and humanity of individuals facing terminal illnesses.
Several other countries, including Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, have also legalized similar practices.