Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall

This Act establishes a Delaware Healthcare Apprenticeship Degree Program to be developed by the Department of Labor in partnership with the Department of Eduation. The Departments will work together to create a program that places aspiring healthcare professionals in paid positions in healthcare facilities, while the prospective healthcare applicants complete the training and schooling necessary to become a credentialed healthcare professional. This program will complement the Educator Program to create a low-cost pathway for aspiring healthcare applicants to earn their credits and gain training. Additionally, this Act directs the Department of Labor to engage with Delaware Health and Social Services and Delaware Human Resources to develop future apprenticeship programs to meet the needs of workforces across the State. This Act also provides that the Department of Labor is to consult with stakeholders to make recommendations for other degreed apprenticeship programs beyond healthcare and that the Department must prepare a report of its findings and submit it to the Governor, General Assembly, and the Division of Legislative Services by May 1, 2027.

This Concurrent Resolution encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) to explore and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing a veteran’s cemetery in Kent County, Delaware, and to submit a report containing those recommendations no later than January 1, 2027.

This Act provides the following support for federal workers during a government shutdown: (1) In Section 1 of this Act, interest free loans to provide financial assistance. (2) In Section 2 of this Act, free transportation on public transit. (3) In Sections 3 through 6 of this Act, deferral of certain State, county, and school tax filings, payments, and collections.

Like House Bill No. 272, this Substitute creates the new crime of "interference with reproductive health services or exercise of religion”, which is based on a substantially similar federal law (18 U.S.C. § 248). The Superior Court is vested with jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions of this offense. This Substitute for House Bill No. 272 adds clarification by defining “place of worship”. This Substitute also replaces the phrase “discourage any person from obtaining or providing reproductive health services” with “seek to persuade any person with respect to a reproductive health choice or the provision of reproductive health services.” Finally, this Substitute adds language modeled on the similar federal law to clarify that nothing in this law (1) prohibits expressive conduct, including peaceful picketing or demonstration, that is protected under either the U.S. or Delaware Constitution, (2) creates new remedies for interference with activities protected by the free speech or exercise clauses or limit any existing legal remedies for such interference, nor (3) provides exclusive criminal penalties or civil remedies with respect to conduct prohibited under this law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution formally congratulates the Class of 2025 Eagle Scouts for achieving the highest rank available in Scouting America. The measure directly affects these young individuals by offering official legislative recognition for their accomplishment. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of their service and dedication.

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

This concurrent resolution declares May 21, 2026, as “Communities in Schools of Delaware Day” and calls upon the people of Delaware to become mentors, leaders and supporters in their local schools.

This bill creates a special license plate for Delaware State University to support student access, academic excellence, and university programs that advance the institution’s mission.

This Act requires that effective amounts of folic acid be added to corn masa flour and corn masa which are staples in many minority diets. Under this Act, corn masa flour sold or used in the State must contain folic acid at a level of .7 mg of folic acid per pound of corn masa flour. Wet corn masa product must contain .4 mg of folic acid per pound of end product. These products must include a declaration of folic acid on the nutrition label in accordance with applicable federal law. Minority communities in the United States face a greater risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), which are serious birth defects that occur during early pregnancy. NTDs include spina bifida, characterized by an opening along the spine that can cause mild to severe nerve damage and disability, and anencephaly, a fatal condition where parts of the brain or skull are missing in newborns. Research has shown that daily intake of folic acid can reduce the risk of NTDs by over half. In response, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated folic acid fortification in enriched cereal grain products in 1998, resulting in a 35% reduction in NTD cases. However, this policy did not include corn masa flour, a staple in many minority diets.

The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), through the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), operates the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI), a Long-Term Care (LTC) facility in Smyrna, Delaware. DHCI is a facility of last resort for Delawareans that require a skilled nursing facility level of care and have no viable options for private nursing facility care. The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill’s name no longer reflects the dignity of all residents who live there. The existing statute uses outdated and offensive language, often referring to residents as “inmates.” It does not align with current policies and procedures around operation and maintenance of DHCI or the skilled care, screening, and admission of its residents, nor does it recognize DHCI’s role as a skilled nursing facility that maintains a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This bill provides a technical update to reflect DHCI’s current practices, policies and procedures as a LTC facility of last resort. It strikes outdated language and aligns the statute with current DHCI, state, CMS practices and requirements. Finally, this bill renames the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill to the Eleanor Cain Center. It will be named in honor of Eleanor Lee Cain, who served as the DSAAPD director from 1973 to 2001 and was a champion for older adults.