Delaware HB 327 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR LEVELS OF NEONATAL CARE.

Delaware, 153. HB 327: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR LEVELS OF NEONATAL CARE.

Plural source record ↗

Official legislative source ↗

Latest action

September 30, 2026 — Signed by Governor

Summary

This Act amends Title 16 to establish statewide standards for levels of neonatal care for facilities that operate neonatal nurseries or neonatal intensive care units. The Act requires facilities to comply with nationally recognized standards for levels of neonatal care established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), ensuring that newborns receive care in facilities equipped to meet the complexity of their medical needs. Under the Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will designate each facility's level of neonatal care based on compliance with the AAP standards, including staffing, equipment, facility capabilities, and patient protocols. The Act further establishes additional requirements for facilities providing Level IV NICU services which care for the most critically ill and medically complex newborns. DHSS must adopt implementing rules by January 30, 2027, and will seek input from the Delaware Perinatal Quality Collaborative and existing NICU providers in developing these rules.

Sponsors

• Melanie Ross Levin — primary sponsor
• William Bush — primary sponsor
• Russell Huxtable — primary sponsor
• Nicole Poore — primary sponsor
• Marie Pinkney — primary sponsor
• Bryan Townsend — primary sponsor
• Stell Parker Selby — primary sponsor
• Sarah McBride — primary sponsor
• Mara Gorman — primary sponsor
• Ray Seigfried — primary sponsor
• Trey Paradee — primary sponsor
• Eric Morrison — primary sponsor
• Cyndie Romer — primary sponsor
• Dave G. Lawson — primary sponsor
• Michael F. Smith — primary sponsor
• Spiros Mantzavinos — primary sponsor
• Bryant L. Richardson — primary sponsor
• Claire Snyder-Hall — primary sponsor
• Kerri Evelyn Harris — primary sponsor
• Josue O Ortega — primary sponsor
• Laura V. Sturgeon — primary sponsor
• David P. Sokola — primary sponsor
• Darius J. Brown — primary sponsor
• Franklin D. Cooke — primary sponsor
• Brian Pettyjohn — primary sponsor
• John "Jack" Walsh — primary sponsor
• David L. Wilson — primary sponsor

Bill text

Bill Text Read version ↗ Read version ↗

SA 1 to HB 327 Read version ↗ Read version ↗

Recorded votes

Legislative history

1. September 30, 2026Signed by Governor
2. June 16, 2026Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
3. June 11, 2026Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
4. June 11, 2026Amendment SA 1 to HB 327 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 3 ABSENT
5. May 19, 2026Amendment SA 1 to HB 327 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
6. May 13, 2026Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 7 Favorable
7. April 23, 2026Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
8. April 23, 2026Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 3 NO 5 ABSENT
9. April 15, 2026Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 11 On Its Merits
10. March 19, 2026Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House

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