Domestic partnerships in Delaware and in Maryland? List of requirements?

[goodfaithchapel]

What are the prerequisites for people in Delaware and in Maryland to be legally considered domestic partners? I have heard that in Maryland if people have been companions for seven years they are considered domestic partners. Is that true?

I know of someone in Delaware who wants to bring a wrongful death action against a hospital in Maryland for the death of their companion and beloved friend that occured during that individual's hospitalization?

Do they have a cause of action if they were not an actual blood relative or spouse of the deceased?

Also, can a person who was an attorney-in-fact for the deceased - with full medical power of attorney on behalf of a hospitalized person- have a cause of action against a hospital that refused to honor that power of attorney, and refused to comply with their wishes on behalf of the hospitalized person?