Delaware Legalizes Suicide Support

On Tuesday, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, a Democrat, signed a bill that permits suicide support in the state.

The law requires approval from two healthcare professionals, allowing terminally ill patients to request and self-administer medication to end their lives. Delaware has considered similar legislation since 2015, but earlier versions have struggled to garner enough support to be enacted.

Meyer emphasized that this legislation aims to alleviate suffering, allowing terminally ill individuals to exert control over their end-of-life choices while surrounded by their loved ones. He acknowledged that the journey toward this law has been lengthy and contentious, marking nearly a decade of discussion and advocacy from those who believe in its necessity.

The bill passed with a Senate vote of 21-17 and 11-8 in the House. While it characterizes the act as “humanitarian and dignified,” there are concerns about potential coercion of vulnerable patients. Furthermore, some groups oppose the practice on moral and religious grounds. Patients seeking to utilize the assisted suicide provision must make two oral requests and one written request before being prescribed the life-ending medication.

Former Governor John Carney had previously vetoed iterations of this bill, citing the lack of a solid consensus on such a sensitive issue. Currently, ten other states, including Oregon and New Jersey, have successfully passed similar laws, and Canada has implemented nationwide provisions for assisted suicide.

Among the key opponents of the bill were many Catholic groups in Delaware. Bishop William E. Koenig of Wilmington condemned the measure, emphasizing that Catholic teachings uphold the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. He highlighted a fundamental difference between death that occurs naturally and intentional actions leading to death.

Meyer’s office has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the new law.