House Resolution number 75 has passed the House here on the last night of the 144th General Assembly Session. Several people here were requesting a copy of this resolution as it is of great interest to them. This resolution establishes protections for mentally disabled people in the State of Delaware including Lauren Richardson, who WGMD reported on back in the spring. Here is a quote from House Resolution 75:

“The impetus for this Resolution comes from the case of Lauren Richardson, a 24-year old Delaware woman who, after suffering brain injuries and impaired consciousness, now faces the possible removal of her nutrition and hydration, despite the absence of her clearly specified and legal consent to any such a course of action. The State of Delaware has, through recent legislation prompted by the abuses at the Delaware Psychiatric Center, endeavored to protect the rights of mentally disabled patients in the First State. Lauren, as a mentally disabled person, is enumerated those same protection and rights.”

The Resolution further adds:

“Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives of the 144th General Assembly of the State of Delaware that it is against the public policy of this State and this State’s interest in life, health and safety, for hydration and nutrition that is not harming a patient to be involuntarily removed from a non-terminal, apparently brain-incapacitated patient if doing so will cause the individual’s death. Furthermore, such withholding of hydration and nutrition without: 1. Clear written direction from a legally competent patient or, 2. A valid written advance health-care directive that was previously executed by a patient who is now incapacitated and that either allows such withholding under such circumstances or grants an agent authority to make that decision by an incapacitated patient is also against the public policy of the State of Delaware.”

For more on the story of Lauren Richardson, which is similar to the Terry Schiavo case, go to www.lifeforlauren.org.

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