House Health - Human Development Committee Meeting

Wednesday, March 18, 2026·1h 25m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Health and Human Development Committee advanced all four bills on its agenda, releasing HB 223 (menstrual disorder information in schools), HB 17 (streamlining medical equipment acquisition), Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 67 (background check center reforms), and HB 305 (a diabetes wellness pilot program) to the full House — the last despite concerns about methodological rigor, equity gaps, and technology access raised by the Delaware League of Women Voters.

Key Actions

·HB 223 – Menstrual Disorder Informational MaterialsNo Vote

+ 3 more actions

Controversies

HB 305 – Methodological rigor and duplication of existing programs

Seal Tilney of the Delaware League of Women Voters argued the bill 'restudies settled science' and that the study 'lacks quite a bit of methodological rigor, as far as we can tell from what's written,' and that it duplicates existing Delaware programs. Scott Perkins of the Delaware Health Information Network and William Curry as expert witness had earlier addressed statistical methodology in their remarks, but no committee member or presenter directly rebutted Tilney's specific duplication or rigor points on the record.

+ 4 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“This is important if you've ever waited for an image yourself or for a family member to diagnose cancer, an injury, any internal damage, waiting for your diagnosis so that you can get treatment. Having our ability to expedite this process makes sure that we are not delaying diagnoses, delaying treatment, and ultimately reducing positive health outcomes.”
Representative Harris — Representative Harris, sponsor of HB 17, was explaining why removing the certificate of public review requirement for medical equipment acquisition matters to patients.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Motion to release HB 223 from committeeNo Vote

Yes (6)Representative Chukwuocha, Representative Neal, Representative Burns, Representative K. Johnson, Representative Ross Levin, Representative K. Smith

Motion to release HB 17 from committeeNo Vote

Yes (5)Representative Chukwuocha, Representative Neal, Representative Burns, Representative Ross Levin, Representative Postles

Motion to release Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 67 from committeeNo Vote

Yes (2)Representative Chukwuocha, Representative Neal

Motion to release HB 305 from committeeNo Vote

Yes (5)Representative Chukwuocha, Representative Burns, Representative Harris (stated 'Yes. With the equity piece.'), Representative Heffernan, Representative Ross Levin

Absent (1)Representative K. Johnson and Representative Morrison — outcome unclear due to garbled transcript Every

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TranscriptPreview

Hello. Testing audio. One, two, three. Testing audio. Kayla, can you hear us? Yes, I can hear you. Can you guys hear me? Thank you. For members of the committee that the microphones on your desk will easily pick up conversation. The microphones are connected to the live stream so that the public may watch our proceedings. The meeting is now called to order. The public can participate virtually by registering through the meeting link on the General Assembly's website. Instructions for providing public comment are available on the website under this committee's meeting notice and will also be shared during the public comment portion of the hearing. Written comments may be submitted to the House Committee commentelaware.gov any comments received within 24 hours after the hearing will be included in the public record. Members of the public physically present for the meeting may sign up on the speakers list for the bill they wish to speak upon. Please note that any votes that may be taken shall be done by roll call vote. We'll be offering the bills for signatures for those that are absent from the committee for committee members to receive enough signatures. If it isn't, it…

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