HB191 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, TITLES, AND NONHUMAN ENTITIES.

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Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Minor-Brown
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: Signed 4/23/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not specified in the provided official text; it may take effect upon signature or a future unspecified date.

Delaware Law Banning Non-Human Entities from Medical Licenses and Titles

This law states that artificial intelligence or other non-human entities cannot get medical licenses in Delaware or use protected job titles like doctor, nurse, or physician assistant.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits licensing for professional nurses, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), practical nurses, physicians, and physician assistants if the applicant is a nonhuman entity.
Bans artificial intelligence agents from receiving certification to practice medicine in Delaware.
Prevents nonhuman entities from using specific job titles such as Doctor, Nurse, Physician Assistant, Medical Doctor, or related abbreviations.

Who It Names or Affects

Artificial intelligence systems and other nonhuman entities seeking medical roles in Delaware.
State agencies responsible for issuing professional medical licenses under Title 24 of the Delaware Code.

Terms To Know

Nonhuman entity: Any being that is not a human person, including agents powered by artificial intelligence.
APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, a specific type of nursing license mentioned in the law.

Limits and Unknowns

The official text does not list a specific effective date for this law.
The bill defines who cannot be licensed but does not explain how to enforce these rules or what penalties exist for violations.

Bill History

2026-04-23 Delaware General Assembly
Signed by Governor
2026-03-24 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
2026-03-11 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Legislative Oversight & Sunset) in Senate with 5 Favorable
2026-01-20 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 3 ABSENT
2026-01-20 Delaware General Assembly
Assigned to Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee in Senate
2026-01-13 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)) in House with 5 On Its Merits
2026-01-08 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability) Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, TITLES, AND NONHUMAN ENTITIES.
This Act clarifies that a nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by AI, may not be licensed as a professional nurse, APRN, practical nurse, physician, or physician assistant. It further clarifies that a nonhuman entity may not use any of the foregoing professional titles.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Minor-Brown & Sen. Walsh & Rep. Romer & Rep. Griffith & Rep. Osienski & Sen. Pinkney

Reps. Berry, Harris; Sens. Hoffner, Sturgeon

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 191

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, TITLES, AND NONHUMAN ENTITIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1920, Title 24 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1920. License requirements; use of abbreviations.

(h) A nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not be licensed in any of the following:

(1) The practice of professional nursing.

(2) Practice as an advanced practice registered nurse.

(3) The practice of practical nursing.

(i) A nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not use any of the following titles or abbreviations:

(1) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or the abbreviation “APRN”.

(2) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or the abbreviation “CRNA”.

(3) Clinical Nurse Specialist or the abbreviation “CNS”.

(4) Certified Nurse Practitioner or the abbreviation “CNP”.

(5) Certified Nurse Midwife or the abbreviation “CNM”.

(6) Nurse.

(7) Registered Nurse or the abbreviation “RN”.

(8) Licensed Practical Nurse or the abbreviation “LPN”.

(9) Doctor or the abbreviation “Dr.”.

Section 2. Amend § 1720, Title 24 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1720. Certification requirements to practice medicine.

(k)

A nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not be certified to practice medicine in the State.

(

l

) A nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not use any of the following titles:

(1) Doctor or the abbreviation “Dr.”.

(2) Physician or surgeon.

(3) Medical Doctor or the abbreviation “MD”.

(4) Doctor of Osteopathy or the abbreviation “DO”.

Section 3. Amend § 1773, Title 24 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1773. Regulation of physician assistants.

(d) A nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not be licensed as a physician assistant in the State. A nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by artificial intelligence, may not use the title physician assistant or the abbreviation “PA”.

SYNOPSIS

This Act clarifies that a nonhuman entity, including an agent powered by AI, may not be licensed as a professional nurse, APRN, practical nurse, physician, or physician assistant. It further clarifies that a nonhuman entity may not use any of the foregoing professional titles.