Delaware legislation · 153rd General Assembly
Delaware HB327: Neonatal Care/Establish Standards/Nurseries/NICU
Status: Signed into law, September 30, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR LEVELS OF NEONATAL CARE.
What the bill says
An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to standards for levels of neonatal care.
From the introduced text, March 19, 2026:
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR LEVELS OF NEONATAL CARE. WHEREAS, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) provide life-saving care to premature, critically ill, and medically complex newborns, and timely access to the appropriate level of neonatal care is essential to improving survival and long-term health outcomes; and WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has established nationally recognized standards for levels of neonatal care that define the capabilities, staffing, equipment, and subspeciality services necessary to safely care for infants of varying medical complexity; and WHEREAS, states that have formally adopted NICU designations aligned with AAP standards have demonstrated improved neonatal outcomes, including lower neonatal and infant mortality rates, reduced complications of prematurity, and more appropriate use of high-acuity services; and WHEREAS, clearly defined NICU designations promote regionalized systems of neonatal care, ensuring that high-risk mothers and infants are directed to facilities with the appropriate clinical capabilities while supporting safe care closer to home for lower-risk births; and WHEREAS, Delaware has the 17 th highest infant mortality among 50 states and the District of Columbia. It is in the state's interest to close these gaps in an effort to improve not only infant mortality rates but improve outcomes for newborns in our state ; and WHEREAS, codifying NICU levels will ensure high-risk newborns …
Sponsors
- Melanie Ross Levin (D, 10) · primary sponsor
- William Bush (D, 29)
- Debra Heffernan (D, 6)
- Krista Griffith (D, 12)
- Marie Pinkney (D, 13)
- Bryan Townsend (D, 11)
- Alonna Berry (D, 20)
- Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D, 1)
- Mara Gorman (D, 23)
- Kendra Johnson (D, 5)
- Melissa Minor-Brown (D, 17)
- Eric Morrison (D, 27)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
- : Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
- : Amendment SA 1 to HB 327 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 3 ABSENT
- : Amendment SA 1 to HB 327 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- : Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 7 Favorable
- : Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
- : Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 3 NO 5 ABSENT
- : Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 11 On Its Merits
- : Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House
Votes
- Passed (SM) (June 16, 2026): 39 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (June 11, 2026): 20 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (June 11, 2026): 18 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (April 23, 2026): 33 yea, 3 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB327?
- HB327 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Neonatal Care/Establish Standards/Nurseries/NICU.
- What does HB327 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to standards for levels of neonatal care.
- What is the status of HB327?
- Signed into law as of September 30, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (September 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB327?
- Melanie Ross Levin (D, 10), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB327?
- On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142975
Source: official Delaware record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.