AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM AND THE PRESCRIPTION OPIOID DISTRIBUTION COMMISSION.

New rules for Delaware opioid funding

Delaware’s Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission now approves all spending from the opioid Settlement Fund and Impact Fund. It can award grants, direct state health department contracts, or send money to state and local governments for Commission-directed use. Payments require written approval from the Commission chair, state budget director, Controller General, and both Joint Finance Committee co-chairs. The budget director can waive certain state purchasing rules, but spending must follow applicable opioid settlement agreements and bankruptcy plans. Decisions must reflect stakeholder consensus and consider affected communities’ views and experiences. State agencies and local governments denied funding must receive written reasons; the Commission can allow, but need not offer, resubmission. The law sets no funding amount and does not directly change household benefits or eligibility.