This Act changes the title of “physician assistant” to “physician associate” in Title 24, as well as changes the references from physician assistant to physician associate throughout the Delaware Code. It does not change any rights or privileges of those who have been or continue to hold themselves out to be a “physician assistant.” Current law provides that a physician associate may not maintain or manage a location that does not have oversight by the physician associate’s collaborating physician. This Act provides that a licensed physician associate with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours who intends to practice without a collaborative agreement must apply to the Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants for independent practice authority. This Act also provides that the Regulatory Council for Physician Associates must adopt rules and regulations to address the following: (1) the verification of post-graduate clinical practice hours for physician associates with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours; (2) creating an application for physician associates with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours to request independent practice authority; (3) creating a process for physician associates who practice without at least 1 licensed Delaware physician in the group, practice, or health system, and have been granted independent practice authority, to notify the Physician Associates Regulatory Council prior to a change of their practice area and provide proof they have had training which aligns to the new practice area; and (4) the conditions under which a physician associate may be denied independent practice authority and how to reapply. The Act also provides that a physician associate is considered to be a primary care provider when practicing in the medical specialties for a physician to be a primary care provider. Payment for services within the physician associate’s scope of practice must be made when ordered or performed by the physician associate, if the same service would have been covered if ordered or performed by a physician. Payment for services must be based on the services provided and not on the health care professional who delivered the service. Physician associates must be authorized to bill for and receive direct payment for the medically necessary services they deliver. The Act also provides that a physician associate who has independent practice authority may sign the special disabled license plate or placard applicant form certifying that a person is disabled, for use in an application to receive a special license plate. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. This Act is effective immediately and to be implemented the earlier of : (1) One year from the date of the Act’s enactment; or (2) When the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline approves the enabling regulations promulgated by the Regulatory Council of Physician Associates.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as "Small Business Month" in Delaware to recognize small businesses within the state. It does not create new laws, regulations, or funding but serves as a symbolic resolution to acknowledge the importance of small enterprises. The measure directly affects small business owners and the public by encouraging awareness and celebration during the specified month.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as "Community Action Month" throughout the State of Delaware. It serves as a symbolic proclamation to encourage civic engagement and community involvement during that specific month. The measure does not alter laws, allocate funds, or create new regulations, but rather establishes an official theme for public awareness.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as "Foster Care Month" throughout the State of Delaware. It serves as a symbolic recognition rather than a law that changes funding, mandates specific programs, or alters existing regulations. The measure directly affects the state government by establishing an official theme for the month, though it does not impose new obligations on foster care agencies or families.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution designates May 2026 as "Healthy Vision Month" throughout the State of Delaware. The bill does not create new laws or alter existing regulations but serves as a formal acknowledgment to encourage public awareness of eye health during that period. By passing both the Senate and the House, the measure establishes an official state designation for the month without imposing any mandatory actions on individuals or businesses.
This resolution designates May 6-12 as "National Nurses Week" and 2026 as “The Year of The Power of Nurses” in Delaware. This resolution also recognizes the Delaware Nurses Association for its’ 115 years of service to Delaware Nurses and all residing in Delaware.
Like Senate Bill No. 5, this Act is the first leg of an amendment to the Delaware Constitution to ensure that every Delawarean is afforded reproductive freedom. This Act differs from Senate Bill No. 5 by making the following clarifications: (1) That an individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom relating to that individual’s pregnancy. (2) That the standard of medical judgment is a “good-faith medical judgment” rather than a “professional judgment”. (3) That the health care professional making the good-faith medical judgment is the “treating attending health care professional” rather than the “attending health care professional”. 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.
This Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 5, 2026, as “Alpha Phi Alpha Legislative Day at the Capitol” in Delaware. It honors Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated as an organization that has provided a voice and a strong vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color in the State of Delaware and around the world.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18, 2026, as "National Line Worker Appreciation Day" within the State of Delaware. The measure directly affects state officials and the public by officially recognizing this specific date for honoring line workers. It does not create new laws, funding, or operational changes, but rather serves as a formal acknowledgment of the profession. The resolution was passed by both the Senate and the House without requiring a formal vote count.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Hospital Week" within the State of Delaware. It directly affects state government records and public communications by officially recognizing this specific time period. The key provision is a formal declaration that does not create new laws, regulations, or funding but serves to acknowledge hospitals during this designated week. As a commemorative resolution, it has no operational impact on healthcare services or hospital operations.