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SB265 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES.

Healthcare
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Last action
2026-05-06
Official status
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Long Term Care Facility Refund Requirements

This act requires long-term care facilities to refund deposits and minimum-stay charges if a resident dies before or within 60 days of entering the facility, cannot enter due to medical reasons, or is discharged/transferred within the first two months.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires long-term care facilities to give back any deposit paid by residents or their families if the resident passes away before entering the facility or within 60 days of entry.
  • Mandates refunds for minimum-stay charges if a person cannot enter due to changes in medical condition or needs.
  • Necessitates refunds if a resident is discharged or transferred to another facility within the first two months.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Residents of long-term care facilities
  • Families of residents who pay deposits or minimum-stay charges

Terms To Know

Long-term care facility
A place that provides ongoing medical and personal care services to people who need help with daily activities.
Deposit
Money paid in advance as a guarantee or security against loss, damage, or non-payment of debt.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how long it will take for the refund to be processed.
  • It is unclear if there are any exceptions to these refund requirements.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-06 Delaware General Assembly

    Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

  2. 2026-03-24 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES.
This Act requires a long-term care facility to refund any deposit or minimum-stay-requirement charges to a resident or a resident’s family if the resident dies prior to or within 60 days of entering the facility, if the individual is unable to enter the facility due to a change in the individual’s medical condition or needs, or if the resident is discharged or transferred from the facility within the first 60 days.