DelawareHB 231153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNIFORM HEALTH DATA.

Sponsored By: Kamela T Smith (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Advisory panel on hospital and ER data

The law creates a 9‑member Hospital Discharge Technical Advisory Committee. The Secretary of Health and Social Services appoints members. They serve 3‑year terms and can be reappointed. The panel studies how discharge and ER data are collected, shared, and kept confidential.

Public cancer rates and county maps online

The agency publishes cancer cases by census tract and cancer type using the latest census tracts. If releasing a tract could identify someone, it combines neighboring tracts just enough to protect privacy. Within 90 days of getting the data, the agency creates color‑coded county maps showing cancer incidence by tract. The maps are posted on the agency website in an easy‑to‑read format.

State health data reports with accuracy checks

The Division of Public Health is the state agency for this law and the state’s statistical health data agency. It may collect only the State’s uniform claims and billing dataset and must compile, analyze, and publish reports for buyers, insurers, providers, and the public. Before release, hospitals and nursing homes get time to review their data and send corrections; valid fixes are made, and providers’ explanations can go with the report. Reports must be reliable and explain risk and case‑mix adjustments, after consulting provider associations. Unapproved “raw data” are not released until the agency approves them.

Study on data from more providers

The Health Care Commission must analyze collecting data from providers beyond hospitals and nursing homes, such as doctors and freestanding centers. It must submit the analysis and proposed law to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 1995.

Who is covered by health data rules

A hospital means a nonfederal facility licensed under Title 16, Chapter 10. A nursing home includes rest residential, assisted living, skilled, and intermediate care licensed under Chapter 11. “Person” includes individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations, and government units. An “individual” is a single human being. “Third‑party payers” are insurers and health service corporations authorized in Delaware.

Enforcement, appeals, and legal protections

For willful violations, the Department of Health and Social Services can take action after giving a fair hearing. A hospital or nursing home can appeal to Superior Court within 30 days of notice. People acting under this law are immune from lawsuits if they acted in good faith, without malice, and within their duties; a complainant must show malice.

Standard billing and reporting for hospitals, nursing homes

Hospitals must complete the state’s uniform claims and billing form for every inpatient discharge and ER visit. They must send data electronically through the state’s secure file transfer system, using formats the agency allows. Nursing homes must also complete the uniform dataset for each inpatient discharge and submit it on the agency’s schedule. All insurers must accept the state’s uniform billing form. The agency sets due dates for submissions and may grant waivers for good cause.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kamela T Smith
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Alonna Berry
Democratic • House
Eric Buckson
Republican • Senate
William J. Carson
Democratic • House
Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha
Democratic • House
Stephanie L. Hansen
Democratic • Senate
Russell Huxtable
Democratic • Senate
Kendra Johnson
Democratic • House
Melanie Ross Levin
Democratic • House
Ray Seigfried
Democratic • Senate
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
David L. Wilson
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 20 • No: 0

House vote • 1/15/2026