The Ron Silverio/Heather Block Delaware End-of-Life Options Act
Medical aid in dying is the practice in which a terminally ill, mentally competent adult patient voluntarily requests and receives a prescription medication from their healthcare provider that they can self-ingest to die peacefully on their own terms. Medical aid in dying is authorized in 12 U.S. jurisdictions with strict eligibility criteria and safeguards.
The Ron Silverio/Heather Block End-of-Life Options Act authorizes the practice of medical aid in dying, allowing a terminally ill, mentally capable adult with six months or less to live to request from their healthcare provider a prescription for medication that the patient can decide to self-ingest to die peacefully.
It was put into effect on May 20, 2025 after being signed into law by Governor Matt Meyer.
Eligibility
To be eligible to use the law, the individual must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have been diagnosed with a terminal illness
- Have a prognosis of six months or less to live
- Be mentally capable of making their own healthcare decisions
The patient must also be:
- A resident of Delaware
- Capable of self-ingesting the aid-in-dying medication
- Making an informed decision and voluntary request
