This Act adds optometrists as health care providers who are eligible for the Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program and limits the number of health care loan provider repayment grants to 2 optometrists per year.
This Act is a Substitute for House Bill No. 449. Like House Bill No. 449, this Substitute Act comprehensively amends Chapter 38 of Title 24 of the Delaware Code, the Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure Act, to modernize the regulation of dietitians and nutritionists in this State by doing all of the following: (1) Replacing the single “licensed dietitian/nutritionist” license with 2 distinct licensure categories—“licensed dietitian” and “licensed nutritionist”—each with its own defined scope of practice, educational pathway, supervised practice requirements, examination standards, and protected professional titles. Licensed dietitians are authorized to provide medical nutrition therapy for complex and non-complex disease states and medical conditions, including in inpatient and high-acuity settings, while licensed nutritionists are authorized to provide medical nutrition therapy for non-complex conditions in low-acuity outpatient settings. (2) Updating the definitions in Chapter 38 of Title 24 to add defined terms, including “medical nutrition therapy”, “complex”, “non-complex”, “practice of dietetics”, “practice of nutrition”, “nutrition care process”, “therapeutic diet”, “qualified supervisor”, “telehealth”, and “registered dietitian”. (3) Raising the minimum educational requirement for licensed dietitian applicants from a baccalaureate degree to a master’s degree with a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, increases the required supervised practice experience from 900 to 1,000 hours, and modernizes examination requirements by tying them to the Commission on Dietetic Registration. This Substitute Act establishes a parallel licensure pathway for licensed nutritionists based on a master’s or doctoral degree in nutrition with a supervised practice experience of at least 1,000 hours and passage of the certified nutrition specialist examination administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists. (4) Amending the composition of the State Board of Dietetics/Nutrition to include 2 licensed dietitian members, 1 licensed dietitian or licensed nutritionist member, 1 Delaware-licensed physician, and 1 public member. It updates the licensure renewal section to require that continuing education hours for licensed dietitians meet the standards of the Commission on Dietetic Registration, and that continuing education hours for licensed nutritionists meet the standards of the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists. (5) Revising the licensure required section (§ 3810 of Title 24) to establish protected titles for both licensed dietitians and licensed nutritionists, to clarify who may engage in the practice of medical nutrition therapy, and to update the exemptions from licensure requirements. Exemptions are updated or added for students and trainees in supervised practice programs; persons providing general non-medical nutrition information; out-of-state practitioners providing services via telehealth; persons providing wellness, health coaching, and non-medical weight control services; WIC program employees; and others providing non-discretionary support activities under direct supervision. (6) Adding a new § 3814 of Title 24 authorizing the Board to issue provisional licenses to applicants who have completed education and supervised practice requirements but have not yet passed their licensure examination. (7) Providing that existing Delaware licensed dietitian nutritionists who hold the registered dietitian credential will be grandfathered as licensed dietitians and those who do not hold that credential will be grandfathered as licensed nutritionists, without additional requirements. (8) Making conforming amendments throughout Chapter 38 of Title 24 to replace outdated titles, organizational references, and scope of practice language consistent with the dual licensure structure created by this Act. (9) Making technical corrections to conform Chapter 38 of Title 24 to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. This Substitute Act differs from House Bill No. 449 by making all of the following changes recommended by the Division of Professional Regulation: (1) Removing antiquated language prohibiting an individual appointed to fill a vacancy from serving on the Board for only 1 additional full term. (2) Providing that the actions that require the affirmative vote of 3 members of the Board are related to disciplinary actions under § 3811(b) of Title 24. (3) Removing a requirement that an applicant for licensure as a nutritionist must complete the required supervised practice experience within 5 years of completing the required educational requirements. (4) Clarifying the documentation required related to the supervised practice experience required for an applicant for licensure as a nutritionist. (5) Removing the requirement that an applicant for licensure as a dietitian or nutritionist complete 75 hours of continuing education for each 5-year period post-examination when the applicant passed the required examination more than 5 years before applying for licensure and has not maintained registration or certification and replacing that requirement with a requirement that the applicant complete continuing education as required by the Board, have actively practiced in dietetics, nutrition, or a substantially related healthcare profession within the last 5 years, completed coursework, supervised practice, or training related to dietetics or nutrition in the last 5 years, or provided other evidence demonstrating current competency. (6) Providing, as part of the grandfather provisions, for a pathway for nutritionists who are practicing at the level of a dietitian to continue practicing at that level. (7) Removing the telehealth provision that was in House Bill No. 449 because Chapter 60 of Title 24 applies to the Board. (8) Reverting to the "reasonably equivalent" standard for reciprocity and ensuring reciprocity is available for certified or licensed dietitians or certified or licensed nutritionists from another state whose standards are not reasonably equivalent if the applicant has held the certification or license in good standing for at least 5 years and the Board determines the applicant qualifies for licensure under Chapter 38 of Title 24. (9) Deferring standards related to qualified supervisors to the Board by regulation. (10) Providing for delayed implementation of this Substitute Act for 18 months or the adoption by the Board of regulations to implement this Substitute Act, whichever comes first. This Substitute Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 11 of Article VIII of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to impose or levy a tax or license fee.
An increasing number of schools and workplaces are investing in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technology and extended reality (XR) technology, including virtual reality and augmented reality, to effectively teach children and train employees. In schools, AI and XR technologies help provide immersive and personalized learning experiences that enhance student engagement, proficiency, and mastery in core subjects. Recent studies and surveys show that using AI and XR technologies in schools leads to better student outcomes, including improved academic performance, higher test scores, and increased motivation. And AI technology, like Khanmigo, supports educators by reducing administrative burdens and allowing educators to focus on student needs. This helps prevent burnout and reduce turnover rates. Therefore, investing in implementing these technologies in Delaware public schools will support Delaware’s educational priorities, including increasing literacy, STEM proficiency, and career readiness. This Act establishes a 3-year pilot program, called the Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality in Schools Pilot Program (Program), to invest in using AI and XR technologies to improve education in Delaware schools. The Program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DOE). The DOE shall provide funding and offer technical support for participating schools to procure and safely implement AI and XR products that improve student outcomes and engagement, support educators in meeting student needs, and reduce workloads and administrative burdens on educators. Within 180 days following the date of this Act’s enactment into law, the DOE must do all of the following: 1. Invite up to 12 schools to participate in the program. The schools selected must include 1 elementary school from each of the counties and from the City of Wilmington, 1 middle school from each of the counties and from the City of Wilmington, and 1 high school from each of the counties and from the City of Wilmington. 2. Form a committee to study best practices in other states and countries for using AI and XR technologies in schools and review and recommend AI and XR products that best meet the needs of Delaware students and educators. The products recommended must safeguard data and follow state and federal guidelines for privacy and security. 3. In collaboration with the Department of Technology & Information and the Delaware Department of Justice, finalize contracts to procure the recommended AI and XR products. Additionally, the DOE may consult with technology privacy and safety experts to make sure that the contracts meet privacy and safety requirements. Schools participating in the Program shall provide data that DOE and participating local education agencies consider necessary to help assess the Program’s effectiveness. The data may include certain quantitative, qualitative, and personalized metrics. The DOE shall prepare a final report that includes the data provided by the schools, the DOE’s analysis of the data, the DOE’s recommendations for improving the Program, and the DOE’s recommendation on whether the Program should be expanded or adjusted. The DOE shall submit the final report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services prior to the meeting of the Delaware Legislative Oversight Committee. This Act expires 3 years after the end of the 2026-2027 school year, unless extended by a subsequent action of the General Assembly.
This Act provides a roadmap via an observational study on a small but representative group of diabetic patients to change standard healthcare from current reactive “sick care” to proactive “well care”. This will be accomplished by using a Delaware health system combined with a technology partner to regularly test, measure and manage, and incentivize diabetic patients and their providers to improve the health outcomes for Delawareans and drive down healthcare costs. The length of the observational study will be 3 years. During that time, data analysis will track results to determine if this Pilot Program shall be renewed and expanded. This Act requires no fiscal note in that this Pilot Program is to be federally funded through the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
This Act establishes the Tipped Worker Tax Relief Act to provide targeted state income tax relief to tipped workers in Delaware. It creates a subtraction from income of up to $15,000 of qualified tips. The program sunsets the end of 2029 unless renewed. This legislation promotes fairness, supports workforce retention in the small business community, and addresses affordability challenges without new taxes or mandates on employers.
This Act requires enhanced informed consent before administering vaccines to infants under 12 months of age. This Chapter shall be used to promote transparency in informed consent and thorough investigation of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths. Nothing in this chapter shall: (1) Create or imply any causal relationship between vaccination and sudden unexpected infant death, (2) Restrict discourage, or interfere with the administration or recommendation of vaccinations, (3) Alter the standard of care of the diagnosis of SUID, or (4) Create any new private right of action or expand existing liability for healthcare providers or medical examiners. Before a vaccine is given, the vaccine administrator must confirm with the parent or guardian that the healthcare provider fully explained the vaccine(s) and answered all questions. If questions remain, the questions must be answered before the vaccine is administered. The form used to verify the lot number of the vaccine must be altered to include a check box verifying discussion was completed and all questions answered. The Act also required documentation history of every SUID investigation and when death occurs within seven days of the vaccination, documentation consideration was given of any potential association consistent with CDC Guidelines, without creating any presumption of causation. These measures respond to the family's request for greater transparency following the loss of healthy infants while preserving access to recommended immunizations, and affirming nothing in this act implies a casual link between vaccination and SUID.
This Act provides for the creation of three Deputy Ombudspersons who can assist the Common Interest Community Ombudsperson by serving as the main point of contact in each of the three Counties. These Deputy Ombudspersons will also be permitted to assist with investigations of alleged violations under this Chapter, and will have powers and duties as delegated by the Ombudsperson. Also established is a Common Interest Community Ombudsperson Fund, to be funded by Appropriations made by the General Assembly, Grants and contributions from other sources, and fees collected for various forms of alternative dispute resolution. These funds are to be used to support the infrastructure of the Office, fund the salary of the Deputy Ombudspersons, and various other costs.
Maddy summaryHCR 134 is a resolution that officially designates the last Monday of May as Memorial Day. This measure directly affects state government records and public observances by establishing a formal date for honoring military personnel who died in service. The bill was passed by both the House and Senate without requiring a formal vote count. Once enacted, it serves as a commemorative recognition rather than changing laws or regulations.
This Act temporarily addresses Delaware's childcare crisis by gradually increasing Purchase of Care eligibility from 200% to 275% FPL over 5 years starting July 1, 2026, reducing benefit cliffs and supporting moderate-income families. It includes a sunset clause expiring June 30, 2031, to allow evaluation and ensure fiscal sustainability, with annual reporting on impacts.
This Resolution pays tribute to the men and women of the Delaware National Guard for their service and sacrifices in support of defending our state and nation, and recognizes the outstanding advocacy provided by the National Guard Association of Delaware
