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DelawareHB 209153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEALTH CARE AND THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

Sponsored By: Krista Griffith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger protections in employer health plans

Employer group plans must cover the federal essential health benefits (EHB) as of January 1, 2025. The Insurance Commissioner issues rules to define EHB under Delaware law. Your yearly out-of-pocket costs cannot be higher than the federal limit in effect on January 1, 2025. After a qualifying life event (like marriage, birth, or losing other coverage), you get 30 days to enroll, with start dates set by federal rules as of January 1, 2025. Insurers must follow federal nondiscrimination protections. If a small-group insurer offers a coverage level, it must also offer it as a child-only plan for people under 21.

Stronger protections in individual health plans

Individual-market plans must cover the federal essential health benefits (EHB) as of January 1, 2025. The Insurance Commissioner issues rules to define EHB under Delaware law. Your plan’s yearly out-of-pocket costs cannot be higher than the federal limit in effect on January 1, 2025. After a qualifying life event (like marriage, birth, or losing other coverage), you get 30 days to enroll, with start dates set by federal rules as of January 1, 2025. Insurers must follow federal nondiscrimination protections. If an insurer offers a coverage level, it must also offer it as a child-only plan for people under 21.

Clarifies what counts as essential benefits

The law sets what “essential health benefits” means for certain Delaware rules. It ties the list to the federal package as of January 1, 2025, plus Delaware law. This governs which services cannot have lifetime or annual dollar limits under those sections.

Dental-only plans keep separate rules

Stand-alone dental plans in both the small-group and individual markets keep their separate federal treatment. These dental-only plans are not subject to the EHB package and related rules cited here, based on federal law as of January 1, 2025. This does not change your medical plan.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Krista Griffith

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • William Bush

    Democratic • House

  • Mara Gorman

    Democratic • House

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kendra Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Spiros Mantzavinos

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melanie Ross Levin

    Democratic • House

  • David P. Sokola

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 0

Senate vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 6/17/2025

Passed (2/3 required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    7/21/2025Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/30/2025Senate

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in Senate

    6/17/2025Senate

  5. Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/17/2025House

  6. Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 8 On Its Merits

    6/10/2025House

  7. Introduced and Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House

    6/6/2025House

Bill Text

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