Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 327: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR LEVELS OF NEONATAL CARE.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 327 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on March 19, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR LEVELS OF NEONATAL CARE. Primary sponsor: Melanie Ross Levin (Democratic), Bill Bush (Democratic), Debra Heffernan (Democratic), Krista Griffith (Democratic), Marie Pinkney (Democratic), Bryan Townsend (Democratic). It lists 33 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 30, 2026): Signed by Governor.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
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
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 32 · Republican 7
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melanie Ross Levin | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 10 |
| Bill Bush | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 29 |
| Debra Heffernan | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 6 |
| Krista Griffith | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 12 |
| Marie Pinkney | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 13 |
| Bryan Townsend | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 11 |
| Alonna Berry | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 20 |
| Darius Brown | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 2 |
| Eric Buckson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 16 |
| Frank Burns | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 21 |
| Nnamdi Chukwuocha | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 1 |
| Dan Cruce | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 1 |
| Mara Gorman | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 23 |
| Stephanie Hansen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 10 |
| Kerri Harris | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 32 |
| Gerald Hocker | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 20 |
| Kyra Hoffner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 14 |
| Russ Huxtable | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 6 |
| Kendra Johnson | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 5 |
| Larry Lambert | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Dave Lawson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 15 |
| Tizzy Lockman | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 3 |
| Spiros Mantzavinos | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 7 |
| Melissa Minor-Brown | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 17 |
| Eric Morrison | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 27 |
| DeShanna Neal | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 13 |
| Trey Paradee | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 17 |
| Brian Pettyjohn | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 19 |
| Nicole Poore | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 12 |
| Bryant Richardson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 21 |
| Cyndie Romer | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Ray Seigfried | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 5 |
| Kam Smith | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 15 |
| Mike Smith | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 22 |
| Claire Snyder-Hall | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 14 |
| Dave Sokola | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 8 |
| Laura Sturgeon | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 4 |
| Jack Walsh | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
| Dave Wilson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 18 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Signed by Governor
- Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
- Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
- Amendment SA 1 to HB 327 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 3 ABSENT
- Amendment SA 1 to HB 327 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 7 Favorable
- Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
- Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 3 NO 5 ABSENT
- Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 11 On Its Merits
- Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House