Delaware legislation · 153rd General Assembly
Delaware HB165: Dry Needling/Requirements and Limitations
Status: Signed into law, August 31, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRY NEEDLING.
What the bill says
An act to amend title 24 of the delaware code relating to dry needling.
From the introduced text, May 15, 2025:
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRY NEEDLING. Section 1. Amend Chapter 17, Title 24 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating definitions. For purposes of this subchapter: (4) "Dry needling" means an intervention that meets all of the following criteria: a. Uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying muscular tissue, connective tissues, and myofascial trigger points for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. b. Is based upon Western medical concepts. c. Requires a physician assistant exam and diagnosis. (6) "Trigger points" means hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. They can give rise to local or referred pain, autonomic phenomenon, and can cause limitations in range of motion and muscle activation. § 1774F. Dry needling practice; referral. (a) A physician assistant may perform dry needling, subject to the following restrictions: (1) A physician assistant may not perform a dry needling procedure on a patient without first receiving a written physician referral specific to dry needling. A referral may be transmitted by digital means. (2) A physician assistant may not advertise or in any other way hold themself out as an …
Sponsors
- Kerri Harris (D, 32) · primary sponsor
- Nicole Poore (D, 12)
- Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D, 1)
- Larry Lambert (D, 7)
- Kendra Johnson (D, 5)
- Marie Pinkney (D, 13)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- : Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 5 Favorable
- : Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
- : Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
- : Amendment HA 2 to HB 165 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
- : Amendment HA 1 to HB 165 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
- : Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 11 On Its Merits
- : Amendment HA 2 to HB 165 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- : Amendment HA 1 to HB 165 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
Votes
- Passed (2/3) (June 23, 2026): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (June 11, 2026): 40 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB165?
- HB165 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Dry Needling/Requirements and Limitations.
- What does HB165 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend title 24 of the delaware code relating to dry needling.
- What is the status of HB165?
- Signed into law as of August 31, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (August 31, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB165?
- Kerri Harris (D, 32), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB165?
- On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142308
Source: official Delaware record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.