CHAPTER 57. VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY STERILIZATION
§ 5701. Definitions.
(a) As used in this chapter, "informed consent" is the voluntary agreement by the person to be sterilized and shall minimally
include the following elements:
(1) Full disclosure of the facts necessary to make an informed decision to include:
a. The risks that a reasonable person would consider pertinent to the decision to undergo or not undergo a sterilization procedure;
b. The risks that a prudent physician would disclose to a patient relative to sterilization;
c. The comparative benefits and risks of undergoing available sterilization procedures.
(2) Knowledge and understanding of the alternatives to sterilization;
(3) Ability of the patient to understand the information and deliberate about choices;
(4) Knowledge and understanding that the patient is free to give or withhold consent without fear of repercussion;
(5) Knowledge and understanding that the patient may withdraw consent at any time prior to the procedure without fear of repercussion.
(b) As used in this chapter, "sterilization" means any surgical or medical procedure intended to render a person permanently
unable to procreate.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 4.;
§ 5702. Scope of chapter.
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require compliance with the procedures herein, or prevent the medical treatment
of any person by any physician duly licensed to practice medicine in this State, when such treatment may result in an inability
to procreate as a secondary effect; provided that such treatment is to remedy a substantial danger to life or health and under
usual circumstances for elective surgery such secondary effect is explained to the person and the person gives informed consent
thereto or that a bona fide emergency prevents such explanation and consent.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the sterilization by any licensed physician of any person 18 or
more years of age who voluntarily, knowingly and personally requests such treatment and gives informed consent thereto.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the involuntary sterilization of a person confined to any correctional
institution on the basis of such confinement.
(d) All other sterilizations shall be in accordance with this chapter.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5703. Informed consent not presumed.
The following persons shall be presumed incapable of giving informed consent to sterilization:
(1) An individual who lives in an institution that serves persons with mental illness, mental retardation or other significant
cognitive disability;
(2) A person known by the physician to be on convalescent leave or any other form of conditional discharge from any institution
for the mentally ill or retarded;
(3) A person confined to any correctional institution;
(4) A person on whose behalf sterilization is requested by another person or agency;
(5) A person receiving residential services from the Department of Health and Social Services.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, §§ 5, 6.;
§ 5704. Jurisdiction and venue.
Sterilization of any person presumed incapable of giving informed consent thereto may be performed only if the Court of Chancery
in the county in which the person to be sterilized resides or in which the institution in which the person resides is located:
(1) Issues a declaratory judgment that the person has given informed consent; or
(2) Orders involuntary sterilization in compliance with this chapter.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5705. Filing petition.
(a) A petition for a declaratory judgment or for involuntary sterilization under this chapter may be filed in the Court of
Chancery by:
(1) The chief executive officer of the institution in which the person to be sterilized resides;
(2) The head of the state agency responsible for such person if the person is not a resident of an institution;
(3) The parent or guardian of such person; or
(4) Any state agency which by virtue of the scope of its powers and jurisdiction has an interest in the sterilization of the
person.
(b) A form of preliminary order setting the matter down for hearing and providing for the giving of the required notice shall
be filed with the petition.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 7.;
§ 5706. Petition for declaratory judgment.
(a) Any petition for a declaratory judgment that the person to be sterilized has given informed consent shall be verified
and shall:
(1) Identify the petitioner and the petitioner's relationship to the person for whom sterilization is sought;
(2) Name as respondent the person for whom sterilization is sought and set forth the respondent's age, sex, residence, marital
status, mental condition and identify the respondent's parents, guardian, spouse, if any, and next-of-kin, if other than the
petitioner;
(3) Identify the physician who will perform the sterilization and the hospital or clinic where such procedure will be performed;
(4) Identify the sterilization procedure to be performed;
(5) State whether, in the opinion of the petitioner, the person for whom sterilization has been sought has given informed
consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(6) Pray for a declaratory judgment that the respondent has given informed consent to sterilization.
(b) Any petition under this section shall have annexed thereto a verified report of a psychiatrist or psychologist duly authorized
to practice in the State stating that the psychiatrist or psychologist has examined the respondent and that the respondent
is, in the psychiatrist's or psychologist's opinion, capable of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to
be performed.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5707. Petition for involuntary sterilization.
(a) Any petition for the sterilization of any person presumed incapable of informed consent shall be verified and shall:
(1) Identify the petitioner and the petitoner's relationship to the person for whom sterilization is sought;
(2) Name as respondent the person for whom sterilization is sought and set forth the respondent's age, sex, residence, marital
status, mental condition and identify the respondent's parents, guardian, spouse, if any, and next-of-kin, if other than the
petitioner;
(3) Identify the physician who will perform the sterilization and the hospital or clinic where such procedure will be performed;
(4) Identify the sterilization procedure to be performed;
(5) State whether, in the opinion of the petitioner, the person for whom involuntary sterilization is sought is incapable
of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(6) Pray for an order authorizing the sterilization of the respondent.
(b) Any petition under this section shall have annexed thereto the affidavit of a psychiatrist or psychologist duly licensed
to practice in the State, which affidavit shall set forth:
(1) The date he last examined the respondent;
(2) Whether or not the respondent is permanently incapable, or is and will in the affiant's opinion remain incapable for the
foreseeable future, of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(3) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, it would or would not be meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent
to serve a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing personally upon the respondent.
(c) Any petition under this section shall also have annexed thereto an affidavit or affidavits of the duly licensed physician
or physicians, which affidavit or affidavits shall set forth:
(1) The date that he last examined the respondent;
(2) Whether or not the respondent, if not sterilized, is likely to procreate a child;
(3) The sterilization procedure to be performed and, if other than the least drastic means of sterilization is to be performed,
why such procedure is medically or hygienically indicated;
(4) Whether, if the respondent is female, pregnancy would present a substantial danger to the life or health of the respondent;
(5) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, the benefit to the respondent from the sterilization procedure outweighs any known
medical contraindications to the procedure to be performed; and
(6) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, it would or would not be meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent
to serve a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing personally upon such person.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 11.;
§ 5708. Service of petition and notice.
(a) Upon the filing of a petition for a declaratory judgment or for involuntary sterilization under this chapter, service
of the petition shall be made and notice shall be given as hereinafter provided.
(b) Service of the petition shall be made upon the person for whom sterilization is sought at least 10 days before the hearing
date. Where the affidavits required by § 5706(b) of this title or § 5707(b) and (c) of this title recite that it would be
meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent to serve the respondent personally, the required service shall
be made upon the person in charge of the institution or home where the respondent resides. If the petitioner has the custody
of the respondent and the affidavits required by § 5706(b) of this title or § 5707(b) and (c) of this title recite that service
would be meaningless or detrimental, the required service shall be made on the spouse, parent or guardian, if any, or the
next-of-kin of the respondent who are 18 years of age or older and who reside in the State. As to persons so served, the notice
by mail provided in subsection (c) of this section is not required.
(c) Notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, of the time, place and purpose of the hearing shall
be given by or on behalf of the petitioner, to the spouse, parent or guardian, if any, and to the next-of-kin of the respondent
who are 18 years of age or older. Notice need not be given to any person if the person shall consent in writing to the granting
of the prayer of the petition or shall waive such notice.
(d) Proof of service and of notice shall be filed with the Register in Chancery prior to the hearing or shall be presented
at the hearing.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5709. Interim action by court.
(a) Upon receipt of a petition, the Court shall appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney or both for the respondent.
(b) On the motion of the respondent or on its own motion, the Court may order an independent examination by a duly licensed
physician, psychiatrist or psychologist not employed by the agency responsible for the care of the respondent. The Court may
order that such examination be at State expense.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5710. Procedural rights of person to be sterilized.
Any person for whom sterilization is sought shall have the following procedural rights:
(1) The right to counsel;
(2) The right of cross-examination;
(3) The right to present the persons own evidence;
(4) The right to compel the attendance of witnesses; and
(5) All other rights of civil litigants in the Court of Chancery.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5711. Hearing on petition for declaratory judgment.
(a) The hearing upon the petition for a declaratory judgment under this chapter shall be by the Court.
(b) If the attorney for the respondent and the guardian ad litem, if any, agree and the Court is satisfied that the report
required by § 5706(b) of this title demonstrates clearly and convincingly that the respondent has given informed consent to
sterilization and there is no objection to the petition, the Court may grant it without requiring the petitioner to present
other evidence.
(c) If there is objection to the petition, the Court will receive evidence at the hearing or, for good cause, adjourn the
hearing to another date for the reception of evidence.
(d) The Court may issue a declaratory judgment after hearing if satisfied by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent
has given informed consent to sterilization.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5712. Hearing on petition for involuntary sterilization.
(a) The hearing upon the petition for involuntary sterilization under this chapter shall be by the Court.
(b) The Court may order the involuntary sterilization of the respondent without requiring the petitioner to present other
evidence:
(1) If there is no objection to the petition;
(2) If the attorney for the respondent and the guardian ad litem, if any, agree; and
(3) If the Court is satisfied that the affidavits required by § 5707(b) and (c) of this title demonstrate clearly and convincingly
that:
a. The respondent is presently incapable of giving informed consent to sterilization;
b. The respondent is more likely than not to remain so incapable either permanently or for the foreseeable future and that
all attempts to render the respondent capable of giving informed consent have been and are likely to remain ineffectual;
c. The benefit to the respondent from the sterilization outweighs any known medical contraindications to the procedure to
be performed;
d. If the respondent is not sterilized, the respondent is more likely than not to procreate and all less drastic medically
advisable alternative means to prevent procreation are or have been ineffective;
e. If the respondent is female, pregnancy would present a substantial danger to the life or health of the respondent; and
f. The procedure to be performed is the least drastic medically or hygienically indicated means of sterilizing the respondent.
(c) If there is objection to the petition, the Court will receive evidence at the hearing or, for good cause, adjourn the
hearing to another date for the reception of evidence.
(d) The Court may issue an order authorizing the involuntary sterilization of the respondent after the hearing, if satisfied
by clear and convincing evidence that the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section have been met.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 12.;
§ 5713. Physician's certification.
(a) In all cases where the Court issues an order authorizing involuntary sterilization or a declaratory judgment that informed
consent to sterilization has been given, the physician to perform the sterilization shall, prior to performing such procedure,
certify that the physician was provided with a copy of the Court's order.
(b) The physician's certificate shall be filed with the Register in Chancery within 10 days of the performance of the sterilization
procedure.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5714. Records.
A record shall be kept in every institution having the custody of any person operated upon under this chapter of such operation
and of its effect upon the person operated upon and such records shall at all times be subject to inspection by the Department
of Health and Social Services.
33 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 3; Code 1935, § 3098; 16 Del. C. 1953, § 5705; 65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5715. Limitation of liability.
(a) No physician who performs a sterilization in compliance with this chapter shall be held liable for the respondent's loss
of procreative power.
(b) No hospital or clinic wherein a sterilization in compliance with this chapter is performed shall be held liable for the
respondent's loss of procreative power.
(c) No physician, psychiatrist or psychologist who provides a report required by this chapter shall be held liable for the
respondent's loss of procreative power.
(d) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to excuse any physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, hospital or
clinic from liability for malpractice.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5716. Costs.
(a) Any proceeding under this chapter shall be exempt from making a deposit for costs with the Register in Chancery.
(b) The Court may order that the costs of any proceeding under this chapter be paid for from resources available to the recipient
of these proceedings. If such resources are not available, the Court may order that the costs of any proceeding under this
chapter be borne by the State.
(c) The board or commission having custody of any person operated upon under this chapter shall pay out of its funds for the
costs of the examination and the cost of performing the operation and hospital bills and transportation in connection therewith.
33 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 2; Code 1935, § 3098; 16 Del. C. 1953, § 5704; 65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
CHAPTER 57. VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY STERILIZATION
§ 5701. Definitions.
(a) As used in this chapter, "informed consent" is the voluntary agreement by the person to be sterilized and shall minimally
include the following elements:
(1) Full disclosure of the facts necessary to make an informed decision to include:
a. The risks that a reasonable person would consider pertinent to the decision to undergo or not undergo a sterilization procedure;
b. The risks that a prudent physician would disclose to a patient relative to sterilization;
c. The comparative benefits and risks of undergoing available sterilization procedures.
(2) Knowledge and understanding of the alternatives to sterilization;
(3) Ability of the patient to understand the information and deliberate about choices;
(4) Knowledge and understanding that the patient is free to give or withhold consent without fear of repercussion;
(5) Knowledge and understanding that the patient may withdraw consent at any time prior to the procedure without fear of repercussion.
(b) As used in this chapter, "sterilization" means any surgical or medical procedure intended to render a person permanently
unable to procreate.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 4.;
§ 5702. Scope of chapter.
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require compliance with the procedures herein, or prevent the medical treatment
of any person by any physician duly licensed to practice medicine in this State, when such treatment may result in an inability
to procreate as a secondary effect; provided that such treatment is to remedy a substantial danger to life or health and under
usual circumstances for elective surgery such secondary effect is explained to the person and the person gives informed consent
thereto or that a bona fide emergency prevents such explanation and consent.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the sterilization by any licensed physician of any person 18 or
more years of age who voluntarily, knowingly and personally requests such treatment and gives informed consent thereto.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the involuntary sterilization of a person confined to any correctional
institution on the basis of such confinement.
(d) All other sterilizations shall be in accordance with this chapter.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5703. Informed consent not presumed.
The following persons shall be presumed incapable of giving informed consent to sterilization:
(1) An individual who lives in an institution that serves persons with mental illness, mental retardation or other significant
cognitive disability;
(2) A person known by the physician to be on convalescent leave or any other form of conditional discharge from any institution
for the mentally ill or retarded;
(3) A person confined to any correctional institution;
(4) A person on whose behalf sterilization is requested by another person or agency;
(5) A person receiving residential services from the Department of Health and Social Services.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, §§ 5, 6.;
§ 5704. Jurisdiction and venue.
Sterilization of any person presumed incapable of giving informed consent thereto may be performed only if the Court of Chancery
in the county in which the person to be sterilized resides or in which the institution in which the person resides is located:
(1) Issues a declaratory judgment that the person has given informed consent; or
(2) Orders involuntary sterilization in compliance with this chapter.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5705. Filing petition.
(a) A petition for a declaratory judgment or for involuntary sterilization under this chapter may be filed in the Court of
Chancery by:
(1) The chief executive officer of the institution in which the person to be sterilized resides;
(2) The head of the state agency responsible for such person if the person is not a resident of an institution;
(3) The parent or guardian of such person; or
(4) Any state agency which by virtue of the scope of its powers and jurisdiction has an interest in the sterilization of the
person.
(b) A form of preliminary order setting the matter down for hearing and providing for the giving of the required notice shall
be filed with the petition.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 7.;
§ 5706. Petition for declaratory judgment.
(a) Any petition for a declaratory judgment that the person to be sterilized has given informed consent shall be verified
and shall:
(1) Identify the petitioner and the petitioner's relationship to the person for whom sterilization is sought;
(2) Name as respondent the person for whom sterilization is sought and set forth the respondent's age, sex, residence, marital
status, mental condition and identify the respondent's parents, guardian, spouse, if any, and next-of-kin, if other than the
petitioner;
(3) Identify the physician who will perform the sterilization and the hospital or clinic where such procedure will be performed;
(4) Identify the sterilization procedure to be performed;
(5) State whether, in the opinion of the petitioner, the person for whom sterilization has been sought has given informed
consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(6) Pray for a declaratory judgment that the respondent has given informed consent to sterilization.
(b) Any petition under this section shall have annexed thereto a verified report of a psychiatrist or psychologist duly authorized
to practice in the State stating that the psychiatrist or psychologist has examined the respondent and that the respondent
is, in the psychiatrist's or psychologist's opinion, capable of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to
be performed.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5707. Petition for involuntary sterilization.
(a) Any petition for the sterilization of any person presumed incapable of informed consent shall be verified and shall:
(1) Identify the petitioner and the petitoner's relationship to the person for whom sterilization is sought;
(2) Name as respondent the person for whom sterilization is sought and set forth the respondent's age, sex, residence, marital
status, mental condition and identify the respondent's parents, guardian, spouse, if any, and next-of-kin, if other than the
petitioner;
(3) Identify the physician who will perform the sterilization and the hospital or clinic where such procedure will be performed;
(4) Identify the sterilization procedure to be performed;
(5) State whether, in the opinion of the petitioner, the person for whom involuntary sterilization is sought is incapable
of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(6) Pray for an order authorizing the sterilization of the respondent.
(b) Any petition under this section shall have annexed thereto the affidavit of a psychiatrist or psychologist duly licensed
to practice in the State, which affidavit shall set forth:
(1) The date he last examined the respondent;
(2) Whether or not the respondent is permanently incapable, or is and will in the affiant's opinion remain incapable for the
foreseeable future, of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(3) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, it would or would not be meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent
to serve a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing personally upon the respondent.
(c) Any petition under this section shall also have annexed thereto an affidavit or affidavits of the duly licensed physician
or physicians, which affidavit or affidavits shall set forth:
(1) The date that he last examined the respondent;
(2) Whether or not the respondent, if not sterilized, is likely to procreate a child;
(3) The sterilization procedure to be performed and, if other than the least drastic means of sterilization is to be performed,
why such procedure is medically or hygienically indicated;
(4) Whether, if the respondent is female, pregnancy would present a substantial danger to the life or health of the respondent;
(5) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, the benefit to the respondent from the sterilization procedure outweighs any known
medical contraindications to the procedure to be performed; and
(6) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, it would or would not be meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent
to serve a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing personally upon such person.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 11.;
§ 5708. Service of petition and notice.
(a) Upon the filing of a petition for a declaratory judgment or for involuntary sterilization under this chapter, service
of the petition shall be made and notice shall be given as hereinafter provided.
(b) Service of the petition shall be made upon the person for whom sterilization is sought at least 10 days before the hearing
date. Where the affidavits required by § 5706(b) of this title or § 5707(b) and (c) of this title recite that it would be
meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent to serve the respondent personally, the required service shall
be made upon the person in charge of the institution or home where the respondent resides. If the petitioner has the custody
of the respondent and the affidavits required by § 5706(b) of this title or § 5707(b) and (c) of this title recite that service
would be meaningless or detrimental, the required service shall be made on the spouse, parent or guardian, if any, or the
next-of-kin of the respondent who are 18 years of age or older and who reside in the State. As to persons so served, the notice
by mail provided in subsection (c) of this section is not required.
(c) Notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, of the time, place and purpose of the hearing shall
be given by or on behalf of the petitioner, to the spouse, parent or guardian, if any, and to the next-of-kin of the respondent
who are 18 years of age or older. Notice need not be given to any person if the person shall consent in writing to the granting
of the prayer of the petition or shall waive such notice.
(d) Proof of service and of notice shall be filed with the Register in Chancery prior to the hearing or shall be presented
at the hearing.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5709. Interim action by court.
(a) Upon receipt of a petition, the Court shall appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney or both for the respondent.
(b) On the motion of the respondent or on its own motion, the Court may order an independent examination by a duly licensed
physician, psychiatrist or psychologist not employed by the agency responsible for the care of the respondent. The Court may
order that such examination be at State expense.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5710. Procedural rights of person to be sterilized.
Any person for whom sterilization is sought shall have the following procedural rights:
(1) The right to counsel;
(2) The right of cross-examination;
(3) The right to present the persons own evidence;
(4) The right to compel the attendance of witnesses; and
(5) All other rights of civil litigants in the Court of Chancery.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5711. Hearing on petition for declaratory judgment.
(a) The hearing upon the petition for a declaratory judgment under this chapter shall be by the Court.
(b) If the attorney for the respondent and the guardian ad litem, if any, agree and the Court is satisfied that the report
required by § 5706(b) of this title demonstrates clearly and convincingly that the respondent has given informed consent to
sterilization and there is no objection to the petition, the Court may grant it without requiring the petitioner to present
other evidence.
(c) If there is objection to the petition, the Court will receive evidence at the hearing or, for good cause, adjourn the
hearing to another date for the reception of evidence.
(d) The Court may issue a declaratory judgment after hearing if satisfied by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent
has given informed consent to sterilization.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5712. Hearing on petition for involuntary sterilization.
(a) The hearing upon the petition for involuntary sterilization under this chapter shall be by the Court.
(b) The Court may order the involuntary sterilization of the respondent without requiring the petitioner to present other
evidence:
(1) If there is no objection to the petition;
(2) If the attorney for the respondent and the guardian ad litem, if any, agree; and
(3) If the Court is satisfied that the affidavits required by § 5707(b) and (c) of this title demonstrate clearly and convincingly
that:
a. The respondent is presently incapable of giving informed consent to sterilization;
b. The respondent is more likely than not to remain so incapable either permanently or for the foreseeable future and that
all attempts to render the respondent capable of giving informed consent have been and are likely to remain ineffectual;
c. The benefit to the respondent from the sterilization outweighs any known medical contraindications to the procedure to
be performed;
d. If the respondent is not sterilized, the respondent is more likely than not to procreate and all less drastic medically
advisable alternative means to prevent procreation are or have been ineffective;
e. If the respondent is female, pregnancy would present a substantial danger to the life or health of the respondent; and
f. The procedure to be performed is the least drastic medically or hygienically indicated means of sterilizing the respondent.
(c) If there is objection to the petition, the Court will receive evidence at the hearing or, for good cause, adjourn the
hearing to another date for the reception of evidence.
(d) The Court may issue an order authorizing the involuntary sterilization of the respondent after the hearing, if satisfied
by clear and convincing evidence that the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section have been met.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 12.;
§ 5713. Physician's certification.
(a) In all cases where the Court issues an order authorizing involuntary sterilization or a declaratory judgment that informed
consent to sterilization has been given, the physician to perform the sterilization shall, prior to performing such procedure,
certify that the physician was provided with a copy of the Court's order.
(b) The physician's certificate shall be filed with the Register in Chancery within 10 days of the performance of the sterilization
procedure.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5714. Records.
A record shall be kept in every institution having the custody of any person operated upon under this chapter of such operation
and of its effect upon the person operated upon and such records shall at all times be subject to inspection by the Department
of Health and Social Services.
33 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 3; Code 1935, § 3098; 16 Del. C. 1953, § 5705; 65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5715. Limitation of liability.
(a) No physician who performs a sterilization in compliance with this chapter shall be held liable for the respondent's loss
of procreative power.
(b) No hospital or clinic wherein a sterilization in compliance with this chapter is performed shall be held liable for the
respondent's loss of procreative power.
(c) No physician, psychiatrist or psychologist who provides a report required by this chapter shall be held liable for the
respondent's loss of procreative power.
(d) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to excuse any physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, hospital or
clinic from liability for malpractice.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5716. Costs.
(a) Any proceeding under this chapter shall be exempt from making a deposit for costs with the Register in Chancery.
(b) The Court may order that the costs of any proceeding under this chapter be paid for from resources available to the recipient
of these proceedings. If such resources are not available, the Court may order that the costs of any proceeding under this
chapter be borne by the State.
(c) The board or commission having custody of any person operated upon under this chapter shall pay out of its funds for the
costs of the examination and the cost of performing the operation and hospital bills and transportation in connection therewith.
33 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 2; Code 1935, § 3098; 16 Del. C. 1953, § 5704; 65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
CHAPTER 57. VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY STERILIZATION
§ 5701. Definitions.
(a) As used in this chapter, "informed consent" is the voluntary agreement by the person to be sterilized and shall minimally
include the following elements:
(1) Full disclosure of the facts necessary to make an informed decision to include:
a. The risks that a reasonable person would consider pertinent to the decision to undergo or not undergo a sterilization procedure;
b. The risks that a prudent physician would disclose to a patient relative to sterilization;
c. The comparative benefits and risks of undergoing available sterilization procedures.
(2) Knowledge and understanding of the alternatives to sterilization;
(3) Ability of the patient to understand the information and deliberate about choices;
(4) Knowledge and understanding that the patient is free to give or withhold consent without fear of repercussion;
(5) Knowledge and understanding that the patient may withdraw consent at any time prior to the procedure without fear of repercussion.
(b) As used in this chapter, "sterilization" means any surgical or medical procedure intended to render a person permanently
unable to procreate.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 4.;
§ 5702. Scope of chapter.
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require compliance with the procedures herein, or prevent the medical treatment
of any person by any physician duly licensed to practice medicine in this State, when such treatment may result in an inability
to procreate as a secondary effect; provided that such treatment is to remedy a substantial danger to life or health and under
usual circumstances for elective surgery such secondary effect is explained to the person and the person gives informed consent
thereto or that a bona fide emergency prevents such explanation and consent.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the sterilization by any licensed physician of any person 18 or
more years of age who voluntarily, knowingly and personally requests such treatment and gives informed consent thereto.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the involuntary sterilization of a person confined to any correctional
institution on the basis of such confinement.
(d) All other sterilizations shall be in accordance with this chapter.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5703. Informed consent not presumed.
The following persons shall be presumed incapable of giving informed consent to sterilization:
(1) An individual who lives in an institution that serves persons with mental illness, mental retardation or other significant
cognitive disability;
(2) A person known by the physician to be on convalescent leave or any other form of conditional discharge from any institution
for the mentally ill or retarded;
(3) A person confined to any correctional institution;
(4) A person on whose behalf sterilization is requested by another person or agency;
(5) A person receiving residential services from the Department of Health and Social Services.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, §§ 5, 6.;
§ 5704. Jurisdiction and venue.
Sterilization of any person presumed incapable of giving informed consent thereto may be performed only if the Court of Chancery
in the county in which the person to be sterilized resides or in which the institution in which the person resides is located:
(1) Issues a declaratory judgment that the person has given informed consent; or
(2) Orders involuntary sterilization in compliance with this chapter.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5705. Filing petition.
(a) A petition for a declaratory judgment or for involuntary sterilization under this chapter may be filed in the Court of
Chancery by:
(1) The chief executive officer of the institution in which the person to be sterilized resides;
(2) The head of the state agency responsible for such person if the person is not a resident of an institution;
(3) The parent or guardian of such person; or
(4) Any state agency which by virtue of the scope of its powers and jurisdiction has an interest in the sterilization of the
person.
(b) A form of preliminary order setting the matter down for hearing and providing for the giving of the required notice shall
be filed with the petition.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 7.;
§ 5706. Petition for declaratory judgment.
(a) Any petition for a declaratory judgment that the person to be sterilized has given informed consent shall be verified
and shall:
(1) Identify the petitioner and the petitioner's relationship to the person for whom sterilization is sought;
(2) Name as respondent the person for whom sterilization is sought and set forth the respondent's age, sex, residence, marital
status, mental condition and identify the respondent's parents, guardian, spouse, if any, and next-of-kin, if other than the
petitioner;
(3) Identify the physician who will perform the sterilization and the hospital or clinic where such procedure will be performed;
(4) Identify the sterilization procedure to be performed;
(5) State whether, in the opinion of the petitioner, the person for whom sterilization has been sought has given informed
consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(6) Pray for a declaratory judgment that the respondent has given informed consent to sterilization.
(b) Any petition under this section shall have annexed thereto a verified report of a psychiatrist or psychologist duly authorized
to practice in the State stating that the psychiatrist or psychologist has examined the respondent and that the respondent
is, in the psychiatrist's or psychologist's opinion, capable of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to
be performed.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5707. Petition for involuntary sterilization.
(a) Any petition for the sterilization of any person presumed incapable of informed consent shall be verified and shall:
(1) Identify the petitioner and the petitoner's relationship to the person for whom sterilization is sought;
(2) Name as respondent the person for whom sterilization is sought and set forth the respondent's age, sex, residence, marital
status, mental condition and identify the respondent's parents, guardian, spouse, if any, and next-of-kin, if other than the
petitioner;
(3) Identify the physician who will perform the sterilization and the hospital or clinic where such procedure will be performed;
(4) Identify the sterilization procedure to be performed;
(5) State whether, in the opinion of the petitioner, the person for whom involuntary sterilization is sought is incapable
of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(6) Pray for an order authorizing the sterilization of the respondent.
(b) Any petition under this section shall have annexed thereto the affidavit of a psychiatrist or psychologist duly licensed
to practice in the State, which affidavit shall set forth:
(1) The date he last examined the respondent;
(2) Whether or not the respondent is permanently incapable, or is and will in the affiant's opinion remain incapable for the
foreseeable future, of giving informed consent to the sterilization procedure to be performed; and
(3) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, it would or would not be meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent
to serve a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing personally upon the respondent.
(c) Any petition under this section shall also have annexed thereto an affidavit or affidavits of the duly licensed physician
or physicians, which affidavit or affidavits shall set forth:
(1) The date that he last examined the respondent;
(2) Whether or not the respondent, if not sterilized, is likely to procreate a child;
(3) The sterilization procedure to be performed and, if other than the least drastic means of sterilization is to be performed,
why such procedure is medically or hygienically indicated;
(4) Whether, if the respondent is female, pregnancy would present a substantial danger to the life or health of the respondent;
(5) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, the benefit to the respondent from the sterilization procedure outweighs any known
medical contraindications to the procedure to be performed; and
(6) Whether, in the opinion of the affiant, it would or would not be meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent
to serve a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing personally upon such person.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 11.;
§ 5708. Service of petition and notice.
(a) Upon the filing of a petition for a declaratory judgment or for involuntary sterilization under this chapter, service
of the petition shall be made and notice shall be given as hereinafter provided.
(b) Service of the petition shall be made upon the person for whom sterilization is sought at least 10 days before the hearing
date. Where the affidavits required by § 5706(b) of this title or § 5707(b) and (c) of this title recite that it would be
meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent to serve the respondent personally, the required service shall
be made upon the person in charge of the institution or home where the respondent resides. If the petitioner has the custody
of the respondent and the affidavits required by § 5706(b) of this title or § 5707(b) and (c) of this title recite that service
would be meaningless or detrimental, the required service shall be made on the spouse, parent or guardian, if any, or the
next-of-kin of the respondent who are 18 years of age or older and who reside in the State. As to persons so served, the notice
by mail provided in subsection (c) of this section is not required.
(c) Notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, of the time, place and purpose of the hearing shall
be given by or on behalf of the petitioner, to the spouse, parent or guardian, if any, and to the next-of-kin of the respondent
who are 18 years of age or older. Notice need not be given to any person if the person shall consent in writing to the granting
of the prayer of the petition or shall waive such notice.
(d) Proof of service and of notice shall be filed with the Register in Chancery prior to the hearing or shall be presented
at the hearing.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5709. Interim action by court.
(a) Upon receipt of a petition, the Court shall appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney or both for the respondent.
(b) On the motion of the respondent or on its own motion, the Court may order an independent examination by a duly licensed
physician, psychiatrist or psychologist not employed by the agency responsible for the care of the respondent. The Court may
order that such examination be at State expense.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5710. Procedural rights of person to be sterilized.
Any person for whom sterilization is sought shall have the following procedural rights:
(1) The right to counsel;
(2) The right of cross-examination;
(3) The right to present the persons own evidence;
(4) The right to compel the attendance of witnesses; and
(5) All other rights of civil litigants in the Court of Chancery.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5711. Hearing on petition for declaratory judgment.
(a) The hearing upon the petition for a declaratory judgment under this chapter shall be by the Court.
(b) If the attorney for the respondent and the guardian ad litem, if any, agree and the Court is satisfied that the report
required by § 5706(b) of this title demonstrates clearly and convincingly that the respondent has given informed consent to
sterilization and there is no objection to the petition, the Court may grant it without requiring the petitioner to present
other evidence.
(c) If there is objection to the petition, the Court will receive evidence at the hearing or, for good cause, adjourn the
hearing to another date for the reception of evidence.
(d) The Court may issue a declaratory judgment after hearing if satisfied by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent
has given informed consent to sterilization.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5712. Hearing on petition for involuntary sterilization.
(a) The hearing upon the petition for involuntary sterilization under this chapter shall be by the Court.
(b) The Court may order the involuntary sterilization of the respondent without requiring the petitioner to present other
evidence:
(1) If there is no objection to the petition;
(2) If the attorney for the respondent and the guardian ad litem, if any, agree; and
(3) If the Court is satisfied that the affidavits required by § 5707(b) and (c) of this title demonstrate clearly and convincingly
that:
a. The respondent is presently incapable of giving informed consent to sterilization;
b. The respondent is more likely than not to remain so incapable either permanently or for the foreseeable future and that
all attempts to render the respondent capable of giving informed consent have been and are likely to remain ineffectual;
c. The benefit to the respondent from the sterilization outweighs any known medical contraindications to the procedure to
be performed;
d. If the respondent is not sterilized, the respondent is more likely than not to procreate and all less drastic medically
advisable alternative means to prevent procreation are or have been ineffective;
e. If the respondent is female, pregnancy would present a substantial danger to the life or health of the respondent; and
f. The procedure to be performed is the least drastic medically or hygienically indicated means of sterilizing the respondent.
(c) If there is objection to the petition, the Court will receive evidence at the hearing or, for good cause, adjourn the
hearing to another date for the reception of evidence.
(d) The Court may issue an order authorizing the involuntary sterilization of the respondent after the hearing, if satisfied
by clear and convincing evidence that the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section have been met.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 12.;
§ 5713. Physician's certification.
(a) In all cases where the Court issues an order authorizing involuntary sterilization or a declaratory judgment that informed
consent to sterilization has been given, the physician to perform the sterilization shall, prior to performing such procedure,
certify that the physician was provided with a copy of the Court's order.
(b) The physician's certificate shall be filed with the Register in Chancery within 10 days of the performance of the sterilization
procedure.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5714. Records.
A record shall be kept in every institution having the custody of any person operated upon under this chapter of such operation
and of its effect upon the person operated upon and such records shall at all times be subject to inspection by the Department
of Health and Social Services.
33 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 3; Code 1935, § 3098; 16 Del. C. 1953, § 5705; 65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5715. Limitation of liability.
(a) No physician who performs a sterilization in compliance with this chapter shall be held liable for the respondent's loss
of procreative power.
(b) No hospital or clinic wherein a sterilization in compliance with this chapter is performed shall be held liable for the
respondent's loss of procreative power.
(c) No physician, psychiatrist or psychologist who provides a report required by this chapter shall be held liable for the
respondent's loss of procreative power.
(d) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to excuse any physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, hospital or
clinic from liability for malpractice.
65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
§ 5716. Costs.
(a) Any proceeding under this chapter shall be exempt from making a deposit for costs with the Register in Chancery.
(b) The Court may order that the costs of any proceeding under this chapter be paid for from resources available to the recipient
of these proceedings. If such resources are not available, the Court may order that the costs of any proceeding under this
chapter be borne by the State.
(c) The board or commission having custody of any person operated upon under this chapter shall pay out of its funds for the
costs of the examination and the cost of performing the operation and hospital bills and transportation in connection therewith.
33 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 2; Code 1935, § 3098; 16 Del. C. 1953, § 5704; 65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 1.;
