HCR84 • 2025

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NURSING PROFESSION AND SUPPORTING NURSES’ RIGHTS IN DELAWARE.

Children Education Healthcare Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Minor-Brown
Last action: 2026-01-21
Official status: Passed 1/21/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The resolution expresses support and recognition but relies on voluntary collaboration rather than legal mandates for enforcement.

Recognizing Nurses' Importance and Rights in Delaware

This resolution recognizes nurses as vital frontline workers with important contributions to healthcare and calls on various groups in Delaware to work together to uphold their rights.

What This Bill Does

States that the General Assembly recognizes nurses as significant contributors who bring knowledge and expertise to every healthcare setting.
Notes that a Gallup poll has identified nurses as the most trusted profession for the past 24 years.
Mentions concerns about federal student loan rules proposing limited definitions of professional degrees that could create barriers for advanced nursing education.
Acknowledges that nurses face high levels of workplace violence, harassment, bullying, and incivility in healthcare settings.
Calls on the General Assembly, health officials, hospitals, nurse groups, and other stakeholders to work together to ensure nurses' rights are upheld.

Who It Names or Affects

Nurses holding active licenses in Delaware
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Healthcare facilities operating in the state
Nursing associations

Terms To Know

House Concurrent Resolution: A formal statement passed by both chambers of a legislature that expresses an opinion or position but does not create new laws.
National Nurses Bill of Rights: A document outlining fundamental rights to help nurses provide safe, effective, and ethical care.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution does not create new laws or change existing rules for hospitals.
The text states what groups should do but does not set specific deadlines or penalties if they fail to act.
It mentions federal student loan proposals as a concern, but the state cannot directly change those federal rules.

Bill History

2026-01-21 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in House
2026-01-21 Delaware General Assembly
Passed In House by Voice Vote
2026-01-21 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

Official Summary Text

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NURSING PROFESSION AND SUPPORTING NURSES’ RIGHTS IN DELAWARE.
This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the significant contributions of nurses as frontline healthcare workers, recognizes the importance of basic protections and rights for this profession, and resolves that the rights of nurses are upheld and promoted throughout the state.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Minor-Brown & Rep. Jones Giltner & Sen. Pinkney & Sen. Poore on behalf of all Senators

Rep. Harris on behalf of all Representatives

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 84

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NURSING PROFESSION AND SUPPORTING NURSES’ RIGHTS IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware has over 27,000 active nursing licenses; and

WHEREAS, nurses bring vast knowledge and expertise to every healthcare setting, serving their patients and communities throughout the continuum of life and care; and

WHEREAS, nurses and the nursing profession have been identified as the most trusted profession by the Gallup poll for the past 24 years; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has proposed a limited definition of “professional degrees” for student loan eligibility that excludes many advanced healthcare and public-service fields, creating new barriers to workforce development in critical professions; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware recognizes the vital role that nurses play in the healthcare system and the critical importance of their rights and well-being in delivering quality patient care; and

WHEREAS, the National Nurses Bill of Rights and Code of Ethics for Nurses outlines fundamental rights that support nurses in their professional practice, ensuring they can provide safe, effective, and ethical care; and

WHEREAS, nurses experience disproportionate levels of workplace violence, harassment, bullying, and incivility across the full range of healthcare settings in which they work; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to foster a supportive work environment that respects and upholds the rights of nurses, thereby enhancing the quality of care provided to the residents of Delaware.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the General Assembly recognizes the significant contributions of nurses as frontline healthcare workers and the importance of basic protections and rights for this profession.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, nursing associations, healthcare facilities, and other stakeholders should work collaboratively to identify, enumerate, and ensure that the rights of nurses are upheld and promoted throughout the state.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the significant contributions of nurses as frontline healthcare workers, recognizes the importance of basic protections and rights for this profession, and resolves that the rights of nurses are upheld and promoted throughout the state.