Bill > HB169

This bill makes significant changes to Delaware's Behavioral Health Consortium and establishes a separate Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission. The bill reduces the Behavioral Health Consortium from 27 to 25 members, modifying the composition by removing some positions like the Chair of the Center for Health Innovation and adding a veteran who has been impacted by behavioral health. The Consortium will continue to provide oversight of private and public behavioral health and substance use treatment entities, and will report periodically to the Governor and General Assembly about potential legislative actions to improve behavioral health care access. The bill creates a new, distinct Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission responsible for distributing money from the Prescription Opioid Settlement Fund and the Prescription Opioid Impact Fund. This Commission will focus on coordinating efforts to address the opioid crisis, with a specific mandate to distribute settlement funds in a way that maximizes harm reduction and considers input from affected communities. The Commission is required to produce an annual report detailing fund receipts, grants, contracts, and expenditures. Members of the Commission will serve two-year terms, with a limit of three terms or six total years, and the Governor or their designee will chair the Commission. The changes aim to create a more focused and transparent approach to managing opioid settlement funds and supporting behavioral health initiatives in Delaware.

Health and Social Services

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142310