DE SCR30

Establishes the Non-Acute Patient Medical Guardianship Task Force to study needs and options for non-acute hospital patients requiring medical guardianship services, including funding, legal, regulatory, and policy changes.

Task Force composition includes two state legislators (one senator and one representative from majority and minority caucuses as co-chairs), nine ex-officio members from state agencies and organizations, hospital designees, AARP representatives, and three public members appointed by the Governor.

A 2017 study found 115 non-acute patients occupied Delaware hospital beds for 11,398 total days, averaging 110.7 days beyond acute care needs, with one patient staying 581 days, blocking beds needed for acute patients.

Task Force must hold its first meeting by June 1, 2019, and submit final findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor by June 1, 2020.

Senate Democratic Caucus must provide necessary staff support and materials for the Task Force.