By Emma Granquist Houghton
As both a movement and an organization, we have so much to celebrate! Delaware has officially joined 11 other jurisdictions in legalizing Death with Dignity—a major milestone in the fight for end-of-life freedom. We’re also encouraged by progress in other states, where advocates and lawmakers are working to amend existing laws to make medical aid in dying more accessible for terminally ill individuals.
Here’s the latest:
Delaware Becomes the 12th U.S. Jurisdiction to Legalize Death with Dignity
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed the Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Act (HB140) into law on Tuesday, May 20, making Delaware the 12th U.S. jurisdiction to legalize Death with Dignity!
First introduced in 2015, this bill became a reality thanks to the tireless efforts of lawmakers, medical professionals, volunteers, and terminally ill Delawareans and their families who bravely shared their stories.
Our advocates sent over 9,000 letters and written testimonies, helping secure the votes needed to finally make the bill law.
“We applaud the growing number of elected officials willing to stand up for dying patients and fight for their right to end their lives with dignity and compassion,” said Peg Sandeen, CEO of Death with Dignity. “We commend the Delaware Legislature and Governor Meyer for supporting the will of voters, and more importantly, recognizing the rights of the terminally ill.”
Help us thank Governor Meyer for upholding the will of the people by advancing end-of-life freedom. Send a letter to show your appreciation for his leadership in signing Death with Dignity into law.
Work Sessions
A few weeks ago, Maine’s LD613 was tabled to clarify the process and finalize language placement. This week, the bill took a major step forward: it received a 9-4 ‘Ought to Pass’ recommendation during a legislative work session. LD613 proposes an amendment to Maine’s Death with Dignity Act that would allow attending physicians to waive some or all of the waiting periods when it is in the best interest of the qualified patient.
If the bill is signed off on in the Health and Human Services Committee, the bill moves to the House of Representatives. We’ll continue to monitor and update how this amendment moves through the legislature.
Public Hearings
Last week, SB403, an amendment to the California End of Life Option Act that would eliminate the sunset clause and make the law permanent, received a public hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee and was placed in the suspense file. This means the bill is temporarily on hold and may be taken up again by the committee before the end of the session.
Fortunately, SB403 is scheduled for another Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Friday, May 23. We’re closely monitoring its progress and will continue to share updates as it moves forward.
Thank you for being the heart of the Death with Dignity movement. With legislative activity moving quickly, we’re committed to keeping you up-to-date at every turn. The progress we’ve made this year has only been possible because of supporters like you and the strength of our shared advocacy.
But the fight isn’t over. As we look toward the second half of 2025, your continued support is more important than ever. A charitable gift today helps sustain our legal and policy efforts to defend and expand end-of-life options nationwide. Let’s keep pushing forward, together.
Follow us on Meta, Instagram, X, and Bluesky—and sign up for email alerts to stay in the loop!