Sunday, 01 June 2025

Democrat Governor Signs Legislation Legalizing Physician-Assisted Suicide

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Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, a Democrat, signed legislation on Tuesday legalizing physician-assisted suicide after being vetoed by his predecessor.

“The bill allows terminally ill adults with no more than a six-month death prognosis to explore end-of-life options,” Delaware Public Media stated.

Per Delaware Public Media:

Former State Rep. Paul Baumbach championed the legislation right up until his retirement last year, when he got the bill through the House and Senate for the first time, only to see it vetoed by former Gov. John Carney.

“The issue of autonomy of dying Delawareans is so much bigger than one person, whether it be the initial legislator, two incredible advocates and certainly much bigger than an extremely disappointing governor. But Delaware is blessed now with legislative leaders such as Rep. Morrison and Sen. Townsend and with Gov. Matt Meyer, who listens to our state’s residents and who feels their pain in his heart,” Baumbach said.

The legislation passed 21-17 in the House this session with three members absent and passed 11-8 with two members absent in the Senate.

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The end-of-life medication will only be prescribed to the terminally ill patient after two verbal and one written request — a guardian or surrogate healthcare decision maker cannot make the request on the adult’s behalf.

“Delaware Governor Matt Meyer tragically signed the state’s assisted suicide bill into law after ten years of public opposition. This new law puts lives at risk because assisted suicide laws offer no compassion, no hope, and no help for vulnerable members of our society,” National Right to Life commented.

“The End-of-Life Options Act is now law in Delaware, giving terminally ill residents the choice to end their lives with dignity. With strong safeguards and years of advocacy, this marks a historic and compassionate step forward. Thank you to all who made it possible,” Meyer said.

WATCH:

Fox News reports:

Delaware is now the 11th state to allow medical aid in dying, joining California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. Washington, D.C., also permits physician-assisted suicide.

“Today, Delaware joins a growing number of states in recognizing that end-of-life decisions belong to patients—not politicians,” Meyer said. “This law is about compassion, dignity, and respect. It gives people facing unimaginable suffering the ability to choose peace and comfort, surrounded by those they love. After years of debate, I am proud to sign HB 140 into law.”

Several other countries, including Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, have also legalized so-called death with dignity.

The Delaware Legislature narrowly rejected the measure last year, but Meyer pushed for it this session and it passed last month. The governor’s signature now ends nearly a decade of debate on the issue.

Under the new law, sponsored by Democrat state Rep. Eric Morrison, patients considering assisted suicide in the state must be presented with other options for end-of-life care, including comfort care, palliative care, hospice and pain control. The bill requires two waiting periods and a second medical opinion on a patient’s prognoses before they can obtain a prescription for lethal medication.


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