Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Democratic lawmaker has introduced legislation allowing doctor-assisted suicide in Delaware.
The bill, introduced Thursday by Rep. Paul Baumbach of Newark, currently has no co-sponsors.
The legislation allows an adult diagnosed with a terminal illness and told that he or she likely will die within six months to request prescription medicine to end his or her life. A consulting physician would have to confirm the attending doctor's diagnosis.
The patient would be the only person authorized to make the request, which must be done both orally and in writing and could be rescinded at any time. The person would have to wait at least 15 days after the initial request before receiving the drugs.
The Medical Society of Delaware, keeping with policies of the American Medical Association, opposes the measure.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
