DE HB173

Establishes the Adult Correction Healthcare Review Committee as an advisory body placed within the Criminal Justice Council to oversee inmate healthcare in Delaware's correctional facilities.

Committee consists of 6 voting members (physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, registered nurse, attorney, and substance abuse treatment expert) appointed by Governor and confirmed by Senate, plus 3 non-voting ex-officio members from correctional agencies and legislature.

Committee has authority to review inmate deaths and autopsies, monitor healthcare quality, review grievances and infectious disease reports, and access all protected health information relating to current and former inmates supervised by the Department of Correction.

Committee must refer cases involving serious deviations from community standard of care by healthcare workers to appropriate licensing boards and submit annual reports by December 31 to the Governor, General Assembly, and Department of Correction Commissioner.

Committee documents are excluded from public records under Title 29, but committee members must comply with federal and state privacy laws with penalties of $5,000 or actual damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney fees for violations.