Bill > SB122

This bill addresses Delaware's health care workforce challenges by enhancing data collection and research capabilities. Specifically, the legislation authorizes the Division of Public Health and the Delaware Health Care Commission to request and receive detailed licensing data from the Division of Professional Regulation, including names, addresses, license types, and demographic and employment-related information from various health care professional boards. The bill aims to support workforce planning by allowing these agencies to collect and analyze data to identify health professional shortages, track workforce supply, inform health care policy, and understand distribution and demand for health care workers. Importantly, the bill explicitly prohibits collecting personal financial information and ensures data confidentiality. The legislation requires the Division of Professional Regulation to collaborate with relevant boards to determine what specific data should be collected during professional licensing and renewal processes, covering a wide range of health care professions such as medical, nursing, dental, mental health, social work, and many others. By improving data collection and analysis, the bill seeks to address workforce gaps, support educational program alignment, and help Delaware better respond to its changing demographic needs, particularly in light of an aging population and increasing chronic disease rates.

Health and Social Services

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142169