Delaware Bills

passed both · Delaware · Senate Jun 13, 2024

SCR 185: HONORING HARVEY BERNARD RUBENSTEIN, ESQ. FOR HIS HALF CENTURY OF SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE DELAWARE HERITAGE COMMISSION AND HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This Senate concurrent resolution honors Wilmington attorney, historian and author Harvey Bernard Rubenstein on his 50 years of service as a member of the Delaware Heritage Commission, on the occasion of his being elevated by the Commission to emeritus status and thanks him for his years of service to our state as a truly public-spirited citizen.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Jun 13, 2024

SCR 177: PROCLAIMING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024, AS "WOMEN VETERANS DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This legislative resolution designates Wednesday, June 12, 2024, as Women Veterans Day throughout the State of Delaware. The measure directly affects the state's official calendar and serves to acknowledge the historical contributions and sacrifices of women who have served in the U.S. military. By passing this concurrent resolution, the Delaware General Assembly formally recognizes the service of over 7,000 women veterans residing in the state. The text highlights key milestones in women's military service, such as the 1948 law that allowed women to serve as permanent regular members of the armed forces. This action is a commemorative gesture rather than a change to laws or government operations.

signed · Delaware · House Jun 13, 2024

HB 350: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HOSPITAL COSTS.

This Act creates the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board, which will be responsible for an annual review of hospital budgets and related financial information. The Board will have 7 members: 6 appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, and the Executive Director of the Delaware Healthcare Association. This Act creates a requirement that hospitals submit yearly budgets, audited financial statements, and related financial information to the Board for review. Where a hospital fails to meet the state’s budget benchmark for increases in hospital costs it is required to engage with the Board on a performance improvement plan. If the Board and the hospital cannot agree on an improvement plan or where the hospital fails to successfully implement a performance plan, the Board may require the hospital to have its future budget approved by the Board. The submission of hospital budget and financial information will begin in 2025 for calendar year 2026. In reviewing performance improvement plans or proposed budgets, the Board will consider adherence as closely to the spending benchmark as is reasonable given the hospital’s financial position and associated economic factors, the promotion of efficient and economic operations of the hospital, and maintenance of the hospital’s ability to meet its financial obligations and provide quality health care. As a temporary measure until the Board begins operations, hospitals are required to charge no more than 250% of Medicare costs to any payer for hospital services in calendar year 2025. This Substitute Bill incorporates all of the following changes which were incorporated into House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill No. 350: It provides additional detail regarding the operation of the Board, budget modifications, and provides an appeal right to the Superior Court. It changes the application of the definition of hospital to exclude psychiatric facilities. Because hospitals may have different fiscal years, the deadline for the Board to issue a final decision on a budget is changed to 90 days before the start of a hospital’s fiscal year rather than a fixed date. The confidentiality provisions for hospital records have been updated. Technical corrections have been made. In addition, House Substitute No. 2 contains the following changes: It adds a performance improvement plan process as an interim step prior to requiring a hospital to submit a proposed budget for approval or modification by the Board. With this change, the Board will only accept and review budget information in its first year of operation in 2025. In 2026, it may direct hospitals to submit a performance improvement plan. It exempts hospitals that are exclusively rehabilitative hospitals. It changes the composition of the Board as set forth above. It exempts hospitals who derive 45% or more of their revenue or whose patient population has 5% or less Medicare patients from the 2025 reference pricing provision. It extends the interim reference pricing period to include 2026 and prohibits balance billing in reference pricing period.

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jun 13, 2024

SB 332: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO A WHOLESALE PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION PROGRAM.

This Act requires the Department of Health and Social Services, in consultation with persons interested in the sale and pricing of prescription drugs as well as interested federal and state officials and agencies, to design and implement a wholesale prescription drug importation program for the benefit of, and that generates savings for, Delaware residents. The Act establishes requirements for the program including all of the following: (1) The Department must become or contract with a state wholesaler and seek federal certification and approval to import eligible prescription drugs. (2) The program must comply with federal regulations and import from Canadian suppliers only those eligible prescription drugs that do not violate patent laws, that are not controlled substances, and for which importation creates substantial cost savings. (3) The Department must ensure that eligible prescription drugs imported under the program are not distributed, dispensed, or sold outside of Delaware. (4) Before submitting the proposed program to the federal government for certification, the Department must submit the proposal to the General Assembly. (5) The program must have an audit procedure to ensure compliance with the Act’s requirements and requires submission of an annual report to the General Assembly to track the program’s progress.

passed both · Delaware · House Jun 13, 2024

HCR 149: REAFFIRMING THE LONGSTANDING SISTERHOOD PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DELAWARE AND TAIWAN.

This House Concurrent Resolution reaffirms Delaware's commitment to strengthen the longstanding partnership with Taiwan, supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the United States; commends Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy; supports the reopening of a Delaware Trade Office in Taiwan; and continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contributions in international organizations.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Jun 13, 2024

SCR 184: PROCLAIMING JUNE 17TH AS "DELAWARE DAY OF SERVICE".

This bill is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that officially designates June 17th as "Delaware Day of Service." It directly affects Delaware residents by encouraging them to participate in volunteer activities such as mentoring, environmental work, and assisting those in need. The resolution highlights the state's existing volunteer efforts, noting that over 300,000 hours of service are recorded annually and that AmeriCorps programs support hundreds of volunteers across the state. By passing this measure, the legislature aims to celebrate and promote the importance of community service without changing any laws or funding.

in committee · Delaware · House Jun 13, 2024

HB 391: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10, TITLE 11, AND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN FEES.

Delaware relies on fees imposed as surcharges by the criminal legal system to generate revenue for government services. These criminal fees can be an unstable revenue generator, especially when there are recessions, pandemics, or other major economic events. This Act repeals three fees that currently fund videophone systems used by state and local agencies, personnel, equipment, and training expenses related to judicial branch security, and victim notification initiatives. The elimination of these fees was recommended by the Criminal Legal System Imposed Debt Study Group created by House Bill 244, as amended by House Amendment No 2, of the 151st General Assembly, in its December 7, 2023 report. The Criminal Legal System Imposed Debt Study Group also recommended replacement of lost revenue for affected agencies as needed with General Funds. In repealing these fees, the General Assembly intends to eliminate any outstanding balances owed on these fees.

failed · Delaware · Senate Jun 13, 2024

SB 3: AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE V OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO VOTING.

This Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to eliminate the limitations on when an individual may vote absentee and authorizes the General Assembly to enact general laws providing the circumstances, rules, and procedures for absentee voting in this State. This Act is in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Albence v. Higgins, 2022 Del. LEXIS 377 (Del. 2022). This Act requires all absentee ballots to include an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter’s vote is free from improper influence. This oath or affirmation is in lieu of the oath or affirmation required under Section 3 of Article V of the Delaware Constitution. Amending the Delaware Constitution requires not only the passing of the changes in this Act, but also passage of the same changes after the next general election by the next General Assembly. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend the Delaware Constitution.

in committee · Delaware · House Jun 12, 2024

HB 436: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL POLICE/FIREFIGHTER PENSION PLAN.

This Act allows participation in the county and municipal police/firefighter pension plan by persons who are employed full time as either a paid firefighter or a paid emergency medical technician or both.

introduced · Delaware · Senate Jun 12, 2024

SCR 175: ESTABLISHING THE PROBATION SYSTEM TASK FORCE.

This bill creates a new Probation System Task Force to review the current state of probation in Delaware and provide findings and recommendations. The group will include legislators, state officials, service providers, and individuals with personal experience in the probation system. The Task Force is required to hold its first meeting by late September 2024 and submit a final report by July 1, 2025.

in committee · Delaware · House Jun 12, 2024

HB 443: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LOW BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS.

This Act requires the Delaware State Housing Authority to establish and administer Low Barrier Navigation Centers (LBNCs). LBNCs are non-congregate, interim housing facilities designed to rapidly transition individuals or families into permanent housing.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Jun 12, 2024

SCR 172: RECOGNIZING MAY 23, 2024, AS “STOP THE BLEED DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This bill designates May 23, 2024, as "Stop the Bleed Day" throughout Delaware to raise public awareness about hemorrhage control. The resolution encourages citizens to learn how to stop life-threatening bleeding using techniques and kits, such as tourniquets, typically provided by the American College of Surgeons. It serves as a commemorative measure to promote preparedness for trauma emergencies rather than enacting new laws or funding.

Bill results