HB 140 - End of Life Options

• Permits terminally ill Delaware adult residents to request and self-administer medication to end their life in a humane and dignified manner if both their attending physician/APRN and a consulting physician/APRN confirm a terminal illness diagnosis with 6 months or less to live, decision-making capacity, informed decision, and voluntary action.

• Requires procedural safeguards including two oral requests (15 days apart), one witnessed written request (48 hours before prescription), psychiatrist/psychologist evaluation if decision-making capacity is questioned, and mandatory disclosure of all end-of-life options including comfort care, palliative care, hospice care, and pain control.

• Prohibits anyone other than the individual from requesting medication on their behalf and prevents individuals from being denied healthcare benefits or coerced based on availability of this option.

• Provides immunity from civil or criminal liability and professional discipline for healthcare providers acting in good faith compliance with the law's requirements, but excludes protection for negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

• Clarifies that requesting, prescribing, or dispensing medication under this law does not constitute suicide, assisted-suicide, homicide, elder abuse, or euthanasia, and does not invalidate life insurance or annuity policies.