The Delaware Senate Executive Committee will consider the assisted-suicide bill passed by the House of Representatives when it meets on June 12. The Delaware Catholic Advocacy Network is urging state residents to contact the members of the committee to urge them to vote against sending the bill to the full senate.
House Bill 140, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, would allow terminally ill Delaware residents to end their own lives with the help of a medical professional. It passed the full house in April and was assigned to the Executive Committee in the senate, which has placed it on the agenda for its next meeting.
Catholic opposition is rooted in the church’s belief in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and the dignity of the individual, both of which are objective and non-negotiable truths and principles of the faith.
In addition, the Catholic Advocacy Network said, HB 140 has “serious flaws” that could endanger the elderly, mentally ill and disabled and could result in elder abuse, insurance fraud and an increase in the overall suicide rate. It also would fundamentally change the legal approach to medical ethics, medical practice and health-care decision-making in Delaware.
Senate committees do not vote publicly on bills they consider. They hold a hearing during a meeting, then either report legislation out of committee or not. If the committee advances the bill, it would head to the full senate, which would have to vote by June 30, the last day of the two-year legislative session. If it passes the senate, it would head to Gov. John Carney, who could sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.
Gov. Carney has previously stated his opposition to assisted suicide.
If the bill does not make it out of committee or is rejected by the full senate, it would have to be refiled next year and begin the legislative process over.
HB 140 would permit a terminally ill person to self-administer medication to end his or her life if several conditions are met. An attending physician or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and a consulting physician or APRN would have to agree on the diagnosis and prognosis and believe the person is making an informed decision voluntarily. No one may request medication on behalf of another individual. Mental illness or mental health is not a qualifying condition. The patient must have a prognosis of six months or shorter to live. There are other criteria as well.
The following senators are on the executive committee: David Sokola, Sarah McBride, Elizabeth Lockman, Bryan Townsend, Marie Pinkney, Brian Pettyjohn and Gerald Hocker. Sokola is the chair, and Townsend is the vice chair. Lockman, Sokola and McBride are co-sponsors of HB 140.
The meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the senate chamber at Legislative Hall in Dover. It is open to the public, and it will be livestreamed. Public comment will be accepted in person and virtually; advance registration is required. Information about that is available at legis.delaware.gov. Written comments can be submitted up to 24 hours after the meeting has adjourned by emailing Valerie.McCartan@delaware.gov.
