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SB 289

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMMITTEE.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Kerri Harris and 2 co-sponsors

SB 289 proposes changes to how Delaware's State Employee Benefits Committee operates, including its governance, benefits decisions, and procurement processes.

Signed by Governor
0
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Bill Summary · SB 289

Summary of SB 289 (Delaware, 153rd Session)

Overview

  • Bill: SB 289
  • Session/Jurisdiction: Delaware State Legislature, 153rd Session
  • Title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMMITTEE
  • Introduced: April 21, 2026
  • Assigned Committee: Elections & Government Affairs Committee (Senate)
  • Sponsors:
    • Co-sponsors: Kerri Harris, Ray Seigfried, Bryan Townsend

Purpose and Intent

SB 289 proposes amendments to Title 29 of the Delaware Code that govern the State Employee Benefits Committee (SEBC). The SEBC is typically responsible for decisions related to state employee benefits programs, including eligibility, coverage options, premium contributions, and plan administration. The bill aims to modify one or more aspects of how the committee operates, its membership, governance, procurement, or the framework for benefit plans offered to state employees.

Note: The specific text of SB 289 is not provided here. The summary focuses on the typical areas affected by amendments to the State Employee Benefits Committee in Delaware law and the known context from the bill’s title and committee assignment.

Key Provisions (Anticipated Areas Based on the Title)

While the exact language of SB 289 is not included, common types of amendments to the SEBC could include:
- Membership and Appointment: Changes to who serves on the SEBC, term lengths, qualifications, or appointment processes for members.
- Authority and Duties: Clarification or expansion of SEBC powers regarding selection of medical, dental, life, or other benefits; oversight of premium rates; or authority to negotiate with providers.
- Plan Design and Benefits: Modifications to eligibility rules, coverage options, cost-sharing (premiums, copays, deductibles), or introduction/removal of specific benefit features.
- Procurement and Contracting: Revisions to procurement processes for third-party administrators, insurers, or consultants; conflict-of-interest provisions.
- Information and Transparency: Requirements for reporting, dashboards, actuarial analyses, or public dissemination of plan performance and costs.
- Funding and Premiums: Adjustments to how premiums are determined or allocated among state agencies, employees, and possibly retirees.
- Transition Provisions: Effective dates, phased implementations, or grace periods for any new plan designs or governance changes.

Affected Parties and Impact

  • State Employees and Retirees: Potential changes in benefit coverage, eligibility, costs, or plan options.
  • State Agencies and Employers: Implications for budgeting, premium contributions, and administration of employee benefits.
  • SEBC and Contractors: Modifications to governance, procurement, and administrative processes may affect how benefits are managed.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Current Status: Introduced and assigned to the Elections & Government Affairs Committee in the Senate (as of 2026-04-21).
  • Next Steps: The committee will review and potentially amend the bill, hold hearings, and vote. If passed, it would move to the full Senate, then to the House (per Delaware’s legislative process) for consideration, with potential further amendments and a final passage vote before enactment or veto considerations.
  • Effective Date: Any new or amended provisions would include effective dates or transition timelines specified in the bill text.

How to Read the Full Bill

  • To understand the exact changes, review SB 289’s text in the Delaware General Assembly’s bill repository, focusing on amendments to Title 29 of the Delaware Code, and note:
    • Definitions added or revised
    • Specific sections amended, added, or deleted
    • Effective dates and transition provisions
    • Any fiscal impact statements or actuarial analyses

If you’d like, I can fetch the bill text or a detailed section-by-section breakdown once you provide the official bill language or grant access to the legislative database.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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