DOVER, Del. — A bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Delaware advanced to the Senate on Tuesday following a narrow vote in the House of Representatives. House Bill 140, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison (D-Glasgow), passed with 21 votes to 17 votes with three abstaining.
The legislation proposes a structured, multi-step process for terminally ill patients to obtain and self-administer a lethal prescription drug. To qualify, individuals must have a medically confirmed life expectancy of six months or less. The bill outlines several safeguards, including two mandatory waiting periods and confirmation by a medical professional that the patient is making an informed, rational, and voluntary decision.
The process mandates that all applicants be advised of available alternatives such as hospice care, pain management, and palliative support. Additionally, the bill prohibits surrogate decision-making, requiring that the individual seeking assistance personally initiate and carry out the request.
Supporters of the measure argue it provides a compassionate option for terminally ill patients to avoid unnecessary suffering and exercise personal autonomy in their final days. Opponents have voiced concern over potential abuses and cited problematic trends in other countries where similar laws have been implemented.
During debate on the House floor, Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard) referenced data from Canada, which implemented physician-assisted suicide in 2016. He noted that 1,018 Canadians chose the option in its first year. By 2023, that figure had risen to 15,343, accounting for approximately one out of every 20 deaths nationwide. “That’s an increase of 1,507%,” said Hilovsky. “That is just an incredible amount.” He warned that such a trend could indicate a broader societal shift toward the devaluation of vulnerable lives.
The bill now moves to the Delaware Senate, where it is expected to generate further debate.