Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Could be a productive week in Dover, based on the promise of today’s Agendas. Particularly the Senate Agenda. Let’s start there.
I see at least three notable bills:
supports critical health care workforce research and planning efforts by giving the Division of Public Health and the Delaware Health Care Commission the ability to obtain comprehensive workforce-related data from the Division of Professional Regulation…It requires the Division of Public Health’s Office of Healthcare Provider Resources to collaborate with the Delaware Health Care Commission and the Division of Professional Regulation to determine what data should be collected from health care providers during the licensing and renewal process to assist the Division of Public Health with workforce research and planning. This Act also directs the Division of Professional Regulation to collect health care workforce-related data during the licensing or renewal processes. The data collected will be for purpose of health care workforce research and planning and will not include personal information such as personal financial information…Collecting data with the goal of informing health care workforce research and planning is a common practice nationwide, with at least 28 states collecting health care workforce data as part of the licensing process. Such data will fill crucial gaps in the Division of Public Health’s ability to understand health care workforce needs and develop policies and programs aimed at meeting them.
SB 63 (Walsh) closes a loophole that has enabled contractors to classify employees as ‘independent contractors’, thus enabling contractors to pay them less and to provide no benefits.
…requires the Division of Public Health (“Division”) to create a website where Delaware residents can find out the level of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in their public drinking water systems. This Act also requires the Division to notify public water utilities if the PFAS in their water exceeds certain limits, known as maximum containment levels, or MCLs. Water companies receiving this notice from the Division must then notify their customers that the PFAS levels in their water exceed the MCLs.
Good stuff.
The House Agenda features HS1/HB 130 (Osienski), which more clearly defines the bargaining process for public school employees and employers. I have an admission of sorts–if I’m in doubt as to the merits of a bill, and see that Reps. Lambert, Wilson-Anton, Burns, and Morrison have signed on as co-sponsors, I’m no longer in doubt as to the bill’s merits.
We have three House committee meetings today. And one bill of note. HB 98 (Heffernan) ‘sets forth requirements and restrictions for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of THC-infused beverages in this State.’ Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee.
Oh, mannn…there are so many committee meetings on the docket for tomorrow. There’s an intriguing story pertaining to one particular bill–that may, or may not, feature an elected public official trying to either kill, or eviscerate, said bill. Perhaps we’ll tell that story tomorrow. Including said official trying to lure me into a conversation using false pretenses…
