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

Children 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

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Recognizing Nurses' Importance in Delaware

This resolution acknowledges the critical role of nurses in healthcare and supports their rights and well-being.

What This Bill Does

Acknowledges that nurses are important frontline workers in healthcare.
Highlights the importance of basic protections and rights for nurses.
Encourages collaboration between government, health departments, nursing groups, and healthcare facilities to support nurse rights.

Who It Names or Affects

Nurses working in Delaware
Healthcare facilities in Delaware

Terms To Know

House Concurrent Resolution: A type of legislation that expresses the opinion or sentiment of a legislative body.
Stakeholders: People or groups who are involved in or affected by an organization's activities, such as nurses and healthcare facilities.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution does not create new laws but expresses the legislature’s support for nurse rights.
It is unclear what specific actions will be taken to uphold these rights.

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.