Rep. Val Longhurst

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 15, 2024, as "Delaware Elder Abuse Awareness Day" to highlight the issue of elder abuse within the state. The resolution does not change laws or create new programs but instead encourages all Delaware residents to learn more about protecting older adults from neglect, financial exploitation, and other forms of harm. By recognizing this specific date, the bill aims to increase public awareness and mobilize community action against elder abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2024 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Delaware to highlight the importance of early detection and public education regarding the disease. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a formal acknowledgment to encourage awareness among residents. By officially recognizing this month, the state aims to promote discussions about screening and symptoms without imposing new requirements on individuals or organizations.

This act requires a commercial entity that knowingly or intentionally provides pornography and other materials defined as harmful to minors to verify the age of individuals accessing the material. Civil liability and a civil penalty are imposed on commercial entities that fail to comply with verification requirements. Additionally, an internet provider or user of an interactive computer service on the internet is not subject to liability. This act is modeled after similar laws in Virginia, Utah, and Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution that honors the high school girls who participated in the 2024 Delaware Girls State program held in Dover. It specifically names and commends the individual delegates from various schools across the state for their involvement in learning about the legislative process. The document also thanks the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Delaware for sponsoring the event and expresses hope that some participants will pursue future careers in public service.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

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.

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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of October 21-27, 2024, as "Free Speech Week" in Delaware to honor the First Amendment and promote awareness of free speech rights. It is a commemorative resolution that does not change laws or create new regulations but instead formally recognizes a national observance focused on the importance of free expression. The measure affects the state by encouraging public and private groups to hold events and discussions about free speech during the designated week.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the young men participating in the 2024 session of Delaware’s Boys State and commends its sponsor, the American Legion Department of Delaware.