HB 205: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 10, 11, 18, 24, AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The purpose of this Act is to protect medical providers in the State from out-of-state lawsuits and investigations that threaten the practice of medicine in the State. To that end this Act does the following: 1) Clarifies that physicians, physician assistants, and nurses that provide lawful healthcare services in the State do not engage in unprofessional conduct and cannot be disciplined for such services even if such services are illegal or considered to be unprofessional conduct or the unauthorized practice of medicine or nursing in another state. 2) In a civil action or proceeding, prohibits any healthcare provider from disclosing communications and records concerning healthcare services unless the patient authorizes such disclosure, with some exceptions. 3) Provides protections from civil and criminal actions that arise in another state that are based on the provision of health care services that are legal in Delaware. 4) Creates a cause of action for persons against whom a judgment was entered in another state based upon that person allegedly providing, receiving, or helping another person to provide healthcare services that are lawful in Delaware. (This does not apply to an action where no part of the acts that formed the basis for liability occurred in Delaware.) 5) Prohibits an insurer from taking an adverse action against a healthcare provider or organization for performing or providing healthcare services that are lawful in this State. 6) Prohibits any State or local agency, commission, board, or department from assisting a federal law-enforcement agency, another state’s law-enforcement agency, a private citizen, or a quasi-law-enforcement agency in relation to an investigation or inquiry concerning the lawfulness of healthcare services, if such services would be lawful as provided if they occurred entirely in the State.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 12

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. July 21, 2025Signed by Governor
2. June 30, 2025Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 6 NO
3. June 25, 2025Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits
4. June 17, 2025Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
5. June 17, 2025Passed By House. Votes: 29 YES 11 NO 1 ABSENT
6. June 17, 2025Amendment HA 2 to HB 205 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
7. June 17, 2025Amendment HA 1 to HB 205 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
8. June 17, 2025Amendment HA 2 to HB 205 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
9. June 11, 2025Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 7 On Its Merits
10. June 10, 2025Amendment HA 1 to HB 205 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
11. June 5, 2025Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House