Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Delaware Legislature.

On March 18, Delaware assisted suicide Bill HB 140 passed in the State House by a vote of 21 to 17. HB 140 is now being debated in the Delaware State Senate.

In 2024, an identical assisted suicide bill passed in the State Senate by one vote (11 to 10). Last September Delaware Governor John Carney vetoed the assisted suicide bill, protecting Delaware citizens from assisted suicide.

Governor Carney completed his term as Governor. The current Delaware Governor, Matt Meyer, has stated that he supports assisted suicide.

Based on last year’s assisted suicide vote, newly elected State Senators: Dan Cruce (D-Wilmington) and Ray Seigfried (D-North Brandywine) may decide if the assisted suicide bill passes.

Everyone needs to contact members of the Delaware State Senate, with attention to Senators Cruce and Seigfried, to urge them to vote NO to assisted suicide bill HB 140. There are 21 members of the Delaware Senate. (Delaware State Senator Contact List).

The Delaware assisted suicide Bill HB 140 must be defeated in the Senate. 

Assisted suicide bill HB 140 was debated on Wednesday April 9 in the Senate Executive Committee. Sarah Petrowich reported for Delaware Public Media that:

40 members of the public took advantage of potentially their last time to speak on the bill during its final hearing, constituting nearly two hours worth of comments.

21 commenters spoke in opposition of the bill while 19 spoke in favor.

Petrowich further reported that:

Sen. Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown) brought forward Dr. Neil Kaye of Hockessin, a physician and past president of the Psychiatric Society of Delaware, to speak on the bill.

Dr. Kaye noted the American Medical Association (AMA), American Psychiatric Association (APA), American College of Physicians (ACP) and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization all oppose medical aid in dying.

In his comments, Dr. Kaye also said the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine are also opposed to the legislation, although both organizations have adopted varied stances of neutrality.

Dr. James Ruether of Newark, speaking on behalf of the American College of Physicians, expressed sentiments similar to the various healthcare providers who came to speak in opposition of the bill: “The ACP believes that no physician should act, whether as the agent or as an assistant, to cause the death of any patient, and assisted suicide is no exception.”

If all of the Senators vote the same way as in 2024, then the newly elected State Senators: Dan Cruce (D-Wilmington) and Ray Seigfried (D-North Brandywine) will decide if the assisted suicide bill passes.

EPC-USA hand delivered our position on HB 140 to every Delaware State Senator.