Overview

• The new law allows mentally-capable adults with terminal illnesses and less than six months to live to request and self-administer life-ending medication.
• Patients must make two verbal requests and one written request, with two waiting periods required before a prescription can be issued.
• The legislation was signed by Gov. Matt Meyer after a similar bill was vetoed in 2024 by former Gov. John Carney.
• Proponents, including Meyer, emphasize the law as a compassionate option for those facing unbearable suffering, while critics warn of risks to vulnerable populations.
• Delaware joins 10 states and Washington, D.C., in legalizing medical aid-in-dying, reflecting a broader national shift toward end-of-life autonomy.