AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE NURSING ADVANCEMENT FUND.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Frank Cooke and 15 co-sponsors

HB 475 aims to modify the Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund to expand and refine funding, eligibility, and oversight for nursing education, training, and retention programs.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

Summary of HB 475 (Session 153, Delaware)

Purpose and intent

HB 475 proposes amendments to Title 24 of the Delaware Code pertaining to the Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund. The bill is designed to modify the operation, administration, and/or funding mechanisms of the Nursing Advancement Fund to support nursing professionals in the state. The exact policy goals are to enhance nursing education, professional development, and workforce retention, though specific programmatic changes depend on the enacted text.

Key provisions and changes (as introduced)

Amends Title 24 to address the Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund. While the precise statutory alterations are contained in the bill’s text, typical changes in this area include:

Revisions to eligibility or application processes for fund grants or scholarships.
Adjustments to how funds are sourced, allocated, and managed (e.g., trust provisions, appropriation authority, or administrative oversight).
Updates to reporting, auditing, or accountability requirements for fund administrators.
Clarifications of permissible uses of funds (e.g., education, training, loan repayment, certification, or workforce development activities for nurses).

Note: The summary above reflects common components of nursing advancement fund amendments. The exact provisions will be detailed in the bill’s language, which would specify the scope, governance, and any changes to fund distribution.

Who would be affected

Registered nurses, nursing students, and other nursing professionals in Delaware who may qualify for fund-supported initiatives (scholarships, loans, grants, or training programs).

Educational institutions and employers that administer or participate in nursing advancement programs funded by the Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund.

State agencies or boards responsible for administering the fund and reporting on its use.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and assigned to the Health & Human Development Committee in the House on June 4, 2026.

Co-sponsors: Melissa Minor-Brown and Nicole Poore.

As a bill introducing amendments to a state fund, it will likely follow the standard Delaware legislative process: committee review, potential amendments, floor consideration in the House, Senate passage (if applicable), and final actions by the Governor.

Specific deadlines, hearing dates, and fiscal notes would be determined during Committee hearings and subsequent sessions.

Potential impacts and considerations

If enacted, the bill could expand or refine access to nursing-related financial support, potentially improving recruitment, education, and retention of the nursing workforce in Delaware.

Changes to governance or reporting could affect transparency and accountability of fund expenditures.

The bill may influence collaboration between state agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and nursing associations in implementing advancement programs.

If you would like, I can locate and review the full text of HB 475 to provide line-item details on each provision, estimated fiscal impact, and any amendments proposed during Committee consideration.