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DelawareHB 169 -HA 1153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Melissa Minor-Brown (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Rules to use and report opioid funds

The Commission must use Settlement and Impact Fund money only to fight the opioid crisis and must follow settlement or bankruptcy terms. It can award grants, direct the health department to sign contracts, or send money to agencies and local governments with instructions. The State Treasurer pays out money only after a special form is signed by the Commission chair, the OMB Director, the Controller General, and the Joint Finance Committee co-chairs. The OMB Director may waive certain Chapter 69 rules to help the Commission make distributions. Beginning January 1, 2022, the Commission posts a yearly report online listing all amounts received, grants, contracts, and disbursements, and sends copies to the Consortium, Legislative Services, and the Public Archives.

Opioid funds board with public input

The law creates the Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission under the Consortium. The Governor, or a designee, chairs the Commission, and members may elect a vice chair. A quorum is a majority of current members, and votes happen at public meetings. The chair can create committees and include non-members. Before spending, the Commission must seek stakeholder consensus and give Delawareans a chance to share input. The Commission must approve all payments from the Settlement and Impact funds.

Stronger statewide behavioral health oversight

The law creates a statewide Behavioral Health Consortium to oversee behavioral health and substance use care. The Consortium has 25 members. Appointed members serve 2-year terms and can serve up to 3 terms, or 6 years total. Shorter first terms are allowed to stagger end dates. The Consortium must report recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly. The first report was due April 16, 2018.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Melissa Minor-Brown

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Frank Burns

    Democratic • House

  • Kendra Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Michael F. Smith

    Republican • House

  • DeShanna U Neal

    Democratic • House

  • Ray Seigfried

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. HS 1 for HB 169 - Signed by Governor

    8/25/2025Governor

  2. HS 1 for HB 169 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/26/2025Senate

  3. HS 1 for HB 169 - Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. HS 1 for HB 169 - Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate

    6/12/2025Senate

  5. HS 1 for HB 169 - Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/12/2025House

  6. Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 169

    6/11/2025House

  7. Amendment HA 1 to HB 169 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    6/5/2025House

  8. Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 3 Favorable, 11 On Its Merits

    5/21/2025House

  9. Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House

    5/15/2025House

Bill Text

  • Current

    5/15/2025

    HTML

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