Delaware
Legal battle begins over Delaware’s medical aid in dying law
Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signs medical aid in dying bill into law
Gov. Matt Meyer signed House BIll 140 into law May 20, 2025. The legislation allows terminally ill people to request and receive end-of-life medication.
A coalition of patient and disability advocacy organizations filed a federal lawsuit challenging Delaware’s medical aid in dying law on Dec. 8 − weeks before it’s slated to go into effect at the start of 2026.
The plaintiffs – including the Freedom Center for Independent Living, Inc., in Middletown and Delaware’s ADAPT chapter – are asking Delaware’s U.S. District Court to declare the law unconstitutional and permanently “block” the state’s enforcement, according to court documents and a press release issued Monday, Dec. 8.
Signed into law this past May, the Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Law allows terminally ill patients who have six months or fewer to live the choice to request and receive medication that will “end the individual’s life in a humane and dignified manner,” according to the law’s text.
As written, individuals are unable to qualify for these life-ending medication due to age or disability.
Defendants named in the lawsuit include Gov. Matt Meyer, Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services and Health Department Secretary Christen Linke Young. The governor’s office declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.
Supporters have argued having this end-of-life option provides those experiencing terminal illness control and autonomy. But opponents, specifically these plaintiffs, say the law not only violates several state and federal statutes but could still ultimately “single out” residents with disabilities and other vulnerable communities and put them at risk for untimely death as opposed to ensuring connection to necessary care.
“The act devalues people like me,” said plaintiff Sean Curran, a Delaware resident who experienced a serious spinal cord injury over three decades ago and is quadriplegic, in a written statement. “I have led a full life despite my disability. The act tells people like me that they should qualify for suicide help, not suicide prevention.”
Matt Vallière, who serves as president and executive director of the nonprofit Institute for Patients’ Rights, similarly said this law would implement “a separate and unequal system” for individuals with disabilities.
“Our lawsuit is asking the courts to stop this practice so Delaware patients with disabilities won’t be funneled through bias, barriers to care and inequal access to a death-too-soon,” Vallière said in a statement.
“With looming Medicaid cuts and high insurance premiums, as well as Medicare which does not provide community or community-based services, it already feels like our health care system is divided into providing for the haves and neglecting the have nots,” said Daniese McMullin-Powell, a representative of Delaware ADAPT, in the lawsuit. “We do not need exacerbate its brokenness by adding an element where some patients are steered toward suicide.”
The longtime legislative effort was signed by Meyer earlier this spring, having previously vocalized his support for enacting this bill into law. As of now, the law is scheduled to go into effect either when final regulations are finalized and published or on Jan. 1, 2026, whichever happens first.
As of now, the state Health Department is in the process of drafting these regulations, which are expected in the coming weeks.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
Delaware State football player sues DeSean Jackson, school after alleged locker room assault
A Delaware State football player has filed a lawsuit against the school and head coach DeSean Jackson. The suit came after an alleged locker room assault.
Rising sophomore safety Malachi Biggs is listed as the plaintiff in the suit, filed Thursday in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware. Jackson, DSU, associate head coach Travis Clark, a player and another staff member are listed as defendants.
According to a copy of the complaint obtained by On3, the alleged incident occurred on or about Nov. 19, 2025. Biggs arrived early to receive treatment and went to the locker room when he saw at least two other players there. While there, one of the players confronted another player about an Instagram post.
He then walked up to Biggs and allegedly placed him in a chokehold, according to the complaint. The player allegedly ignored Biggs’ attempts to “tap out” even though he was told he’d be let go by doing so and was later rendered unconscious.
After hitting the ground, Biggs suffered injuries to his head, face, mouth, tongue and teeth, according to the complaint. His injuries included “multiple fractures to his jaw, a deep laceration to his chin requiring surgery, and irreparable damage to at least a dozen teeth requiring extraction, root canals, and additional invasive dental treatments,” the complaint read.
The complaint states the player was not disciplined by Jackson, who was in his first year as head coach, and was allowed to play in a game three days after the alleged incident. Jackson and Clark addressed the alleged incident in a team meeting. After graduating from the school in 2026, the player was then employed as a member of the coaching staff, the complaint said.
Biggs is suing DSU for a count of negligence; a count of negligent hiring, supervision and retention; and negligent training. Jackson and two players are also listed as defendants facing charges of negligence, negligent supervision, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. When asked for comment, a school spokesperson told On3 that Delaware State does not comment on pending litigation.
“Our lawsuit alleges that the Delaware State University and its staff failed in their responsibility to adequately supervise these student athletes and failed to properly discipline violent behaviors,” said Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Georgia Pham, who are representing Biggs, in a statement to On3. “By dismissing violent assaults as mere ‘horseplay,’ the University and coach DeSean Jackson allegedly fostered a toxic culture of bullying and hazing in the locker room.
“Our client came to this University to play the game he loved. Instead, he’s leaving with catastrophic injuries that may be career-ending and have permanently derailed his life. These alleged systemic failures led to this predictable and preventable tragedy that ripped away the life he had always dreamed of.”
Delaware State went 8-4 in Jackson’s first season as head coach in 2025. The former NFL receiver, who made his mark with the Philadelphia Eagles, was named HBCU Coach of the Year.
BOWERS BEACH, Del. – Delaware State Police say a body was found near Bowers Beach on Tuesday.
Around 12:40 p.m. on April 21, Delaware State Police, Delaware Natural Resources Police and local fire companies responded to the Delaware Bay, about a mile offshore from the Bowers Beach area after commercial watermen discovered an unknown deceased man in the water.
The victim was recovered and turned over to the Office of Forensic Science for identification and to determine the cause of death.
The investigation remains active and on-going.
Top headlines of the week, April 17 2026
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
The Humane Society of Delaware County has appointed a new leader as the organization’s longtime director moves toward retirement.
The animal rescue group’s board appointed Amanda Wampler as its new CEO, effective May 11, the organization posted on Facebook April 21.
Jana Cassidy, the humane society’s executive director for nearly a decade, is transitioning toward retirement and will now serve as chief operating officer in the near term to ensure a smooth transition.
The post from society Board President Megan Ricci says the board is confident Cassidy’s and Wampler’s experience, dedication and talents will elevate the humane society as it strives to build a new 22,000-square-foot facility that will be a go-to destination for adoption, veterinary care, training, boarding, and grooming.
“HSDC could not be in better hands than with these two extraordinary women,” the post reads.
Wampler is a proven nonprofit executive with experience in animal welfare and a demonstrated ability to help organizations expand and thrive, according to the humane society’s post.
Wampler currently is the national operations director for Siemer Institute, a Columbus-based organization that helps families across the U.S. achieve housing stability and enhance their children’s educational prospects, according to Wampler’s LinkedIn page. She also worked for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department from 2016 to 2023.
Delaware County and eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X
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