AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18, TITLE 29, AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COVERAGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES AND TREATMENT FOR MENOPAUSE, PERIMENOPAUSE, AND MENOPAUSE AND PERIMENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS.
Sponsored By: Nicole Poore (Democratic)
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
More menopause coverage for Delaware patients
The law requires coverage for medically needed care for menopause, perimenopause, and related symptoms. It covers Delaware individual, group, and blanket insurance, the state employee plan, and plans under Delaware Code Section 505(3). It also applies to Medicaid recipients where applicable. The requirements apply to policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, amended, extended, or reissued after December 31, 2027. Covered care includes consultations, tests, hormone therapy, non-hormonal medicines, and all FDA-approved drugs, devices, and combination products for these symptoms. Hormone therapy includes creams, pills, pellets, vaginal devices, and FDA-approved bioidentical hormones. Coverage also includes treatment for menopause caused by hysterectomy, behavioral health care, pelvic floor physical therapy, counseling, and education. Bone health screenings and medicines are covered, along with medically appropriate prevention, early detection, and treatment of related osteoporosis and cancer. Care must follow accepted medical practice, fit the patient's needs, and not be experimental or solely for convenience. Insurers cannot deny or limit medically needed hormone therapy supported by national clinical guidelines, national care standards, or peer-reviewed research. They also cannot require advance approval or trying another treatment first for that therapy, subject to federal law. Insurers must give members clear, timely coverage information. Benefits follow the same coverage standards as other conditions; regular cost-sharing, charge limits, coordination of benefits, and provider or facility rules remain. Individual and group mandates exclude accident-only, specified-disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, long-term care, disability income, and other limited policies.
Religious employers can exclude menopause coverage
Religious employers can request an exclusion from required menopause coverage in their group or blanket health insurance. The coverage must conflict with the employer's genuine religious beliefs and practices. The insurer must grant the request, and the employer must give affected employees reasonable, timely notice. Workers in these plans can lose access to the mandated benefits through their insurance. This exception accompanies the requirements for policies issued, renewed, modified, amended, extended, or reissued after December 31, 2027.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Nicole Poore
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Alonna Berry
Democratic • House
Frank Burns
Democratic • House
Mara Gorman
Democratic • House
Debra Heffernan
Democratic • House
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Kamela T Smith
Democratic • House
Eric Morrison
Democratic • House
DeShanna U Neal
Democratic • House
Marie Pinkney
Democratic • Senate
Cyndie Romer
Democratic • House
Melanie Ross Levin
Democratic • House
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
Laura V. Sturgeon
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
SS 1 for SB 319 - Signed by Governor
9/8/2026GovernorSS 1 for SB 319 - Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 1 NO 4 ABSENT
6/25/2026HouseSS 1 for SB 319 - Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 8 On Its Merits
6/23/2026HouseSS 1 for SB 319 - Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House
6/18/2026HouseSS 1 for SB 319 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
6/17/2026SenateSubstituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 319
6/10/2026SenateReported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 5 Favorable
5/20/2026SenateIntroduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
5/13/2026Senate
Bill Text
Current
5/13/2026
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