Delaware Governor Matt Meyer Signs Medical Aid-in-Dying Bill into Law

DOVER, Del. — Governor Matt Meyer has officially signed House Bill 140 into law, legalizing medical aid-in-dying for terminally ill adults in Delaware. This legislation, known as the Delaware End-of-Life Options Act, permits mentally capable adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live to request and self-administer prescribed medication to end their lives peacefully. The law includes multiple safeguards, such as requiring two healthcare providers to confirm the patient’s prognosis and decision-making capacity, and mandates that the patient make two verbal and one written request for the medication. A guardian or surrogate cannot make the request on the patient’s behalf.

Governor Meyer emphasized that the law is about relieving suffering and providing individuals with the option to die on their own terms, surrounded by loved ones. He acknowledged the decade-long advocacy efforts that led to this moment, noting that the legislation had previously passed but was vetoed by former Governor John Carney. With Governor Meyer’s signature, Delaware becomes the 12th jurisdiction in the United States to legalize medical aid-in-dying.

The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, unless the necessary regulations can be established sooner.