Delaware has become the twelfth jurisdiction to legalize medical aid in dying, with Governor Matt Meyer signing the bill into law. This legislation permits terminally ill adult residents of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to end their lives in a humane and dignified manner, according to the Governor.

The procedure is authorized if both the individual's attending physician or attending advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and a consulting physician or consulting APRN agree on the individual's diagnosis and prognosis. They must also believe that the individual has decision-making capacity, is making an informed decision, and is acting voluntarily.

The legislation was approved by the House with a vote of 21-17, with three members absent, and by the Senate with a vote of 11-8, with two members absent. Governor Meyer defended the measure, which allows terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to consider assisted suicide as an option. He stated that the signing is about relieving suffering and giving families the comfort of knowing that their loved one was able to pass on their own terms without unnecessary pain and surrounded by the people they love the most, according to Delaware Public Media.

The new law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. However, organizations like National Right to Life have condemned the decision. Carol Tobias, a representative of the pro-life group, stated that Delaware’s new law puts lives at risk and offers no compassion, hope, or help for vulnerable members of society.

She added that end-of-life discussions should focus on palliative care, hospice, and support options, rather than assisted suicide, which she argues shifts the focus from life-affirming care to premature death and erodes public trust in healthcare and medical doctors.