Delaware becomes 11th state to legalize assisted suicide

May 22, 2025

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has signed a measure into law enabling terminally ill patients to obtain medication to die by assisted suicide.

The Christian Post reports that enactment of House Bill 140, the Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Law, makes Delaware the 11th state to legalize allowing patients with terminal illness to end their lives.

Patients who are seeking assisted suicide are required to make two written requests and one oral request as well as signatures from two witnesses, who are not blood relatives, to verify that the illness is real and the patient is making the decision of their own free will.

House Bill 140 passed the Delaware House of Representatives in a 21-17 vote and passed the Delaware Senate by an 11-8 vote.

Both the Delaware House and Senate are Democrat-controlled with most support for the measure coming from Democrats.

National Right to Life President Carol Tobias strongly condemned the assisted suicide law in a statement, saying, “Delaware’s new law puts lives at risk. Assisted suicide laws offer no compassion, no hope, and no help for vulnerable members of our society. Assisted suicide shifts the focus from life-affirming care to premature death and erodes the public trust in healthcare and medical doctors.”

Tobias added, “End-of-life discussions should focus on palliative care, hospice, and support options.”

Peg Sandeen, CEO of the advocacy group Death With Dignity, defended the measure, saying, “This signing today is about relieving suffering and giving families the comfort of knowing that loved one was able to pass on their own terms without unnecessary pain and surrounded by the people they love the most.”

According to the Christian Post, 10 other states have laws permitting assisted suicide including California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

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