2025 Delaware Code
Title 16 - Health and Safety
Chapter 94A. SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING
§ 9402A. Purpose; interpretation.
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to do all of the following:
(1) Provide assistance in gathering and assessing information, making informed decisions, and communicating decisions to adults who do not need a guardian or other substitute decision maker for such activities, but who would benefit from decision-making assistance.
(2) Give supporters legal status to be with the adult and participate in discussions with others when the adult is making decisions or attempting to obtain information.
(3) Enable supporters to assist in making and communicating decisions for the adult but not substitute as the decision maker for that adult.
(b) This chapter is to be administered and interpreted in accordance with all of the following principles:
(1) All adults should be able to live in the manner they wish and to accept or refuse support, assistance, or protection as long as they do not harm others and are capable of making decisions about those matters.
(2) All adults should be able to be informed about and, to the best of their ability, participate in the management of their affairs.
(3) All adults should receive the most effective yet least restrictive and intrusive form of support, assistance, or protection when they are unable to care for themselves or manage their affairs alone.
(4) The values, beliefs, wishes, cultural norms, and traditions that an adult holds should be respected in managing an adult's affairs.
