Delaware's assisted suicide bill signed into law, making it the 11th state with such a statute

Delaware Gov Matt Meyer a Democrat signed a bill Tuesday legalizing physician-assisted suicide for certain terminally ill patients arguing that the measure is about compassion dignity and respect for personal choice The End-of-Life Options Act which takes effect next year allows mentally capable adults who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live to request a prescription to self-administer and end their lives We're acknowledging in current times that even in the last moments of life compassion matters Meyer commented at the bill signing Every Delawarean should have the right to face their final chapter with peace dignity and control NEW YORK ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL TO LEGALIZE ASSISTED SUICIDE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL This signing at present 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 preponderance he continued Delaware is now the th state to allow therapeutic aid in dying joining California Colorado Hawaii Maine Montana New Jersey New Mexico Oregon Vermont and Washington Washington D C also permits physician-assisted suicide In current times Delaware joins a growing number of states in recognizing that end-of-life decisions belong to patients not politicians Meyer explained This law is about compassion dignity and respect It gives people facing unimaginable suffering the ability to choose peace and comfort surrounded by those they love After years of debate I am proud to sign HB into law Several other countries including Canada Germany Switzerland and the Netherlands have also legalized so-called death with dignity The Delaware Legislature narrowly rejected the measure last year but Meyer pushed for it this session and it passed last month The governor's signature now ends nearly a decade of debate on the issue Under the new law sponsored by Democrat state Rep Eric Morrison patients considering assisted suicide in the state must be presented with other options for end-of-life care including comfort care palliative care hospice and pain control The bill requires two waiting periods and a second health opinion on a patient's prognoses before they can obtain a prescription for lethal medication MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS PROPOSE CONTROVERSIAL MEDICALLY-ASSISTED SUICIDE BILLState Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend a Democrat explained the law is about honoring the autonomy and humanity of those facing unimaginable suffering from terminal illness This provision exists due to the courage of patients family members and advocates who have shared deeply personal stories of love loss and suffering he declared in a declaration