By Joseph Edelen

DOVER — With about a month left in the 2024 legislative session, Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst and Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola offered a glimpse at the General Assembly’s top issues Thursday.

At the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s annual end-of-session policy conference at Delaware State University, Rep. Longhurst, D-Bear, discussed the recent passage of House Bill 350, which established the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board in an attempt to control rising health care costs.

She was joined by Delaware Healthcare Association president and CEO Brian Frazee. Both noted that there is work to be done in other areas of medical costs and that workforce development in the sector is also a top priority.

“I also know businesses that are out there that are paying high costs for health care, and I think there are three pieces to the puzzle that Brian mentioned,” Rep. Longhurst said. “One of them is the hospitals, the other one’s insurance companies, and the other one’s pharmacies.

“We decided to take on the hospitals this year because we thought that would be the biggest impact when we started looking at what those costs were.”

One audience member raised concerns about how overworked health care staffers are and if the review board would cause any further stress for them.

In response, Rep. Longhurst advocated for a loan forgiveness program to incentivize prospective medical professionals to stay in the state, similar to one used by the University of Delaware for teachers and social workers, requiring students to work in Delaware for at least three years postgraduation.

Referencing the social work program, the speaker stated that there is a shortage of behavioral health specialists at a time when mental health is having a gripping effect.

“We all know mental health is one of the biggest issues that we have in our schools and around the state, and that’s where homelessness comes from,” she said. “There’s a lot of triggers for homelessness, so I think workforce development is about figuring out how we do that (to make change.)”

One of the most controversial proposals in the legislature this year has been the Homeless Bill of Rights. Led by Rep. Sophie Phillips, D-Bear, the legislation would ensure that all Delawareans — regardless of housing status — have equal opportunities to live in “decent, safe, sanitary and healthful accommodations and enjoy equality of opportunity.”

The measure has drawn extensive pushback from the business community and has been substituted twice since its introduction in January 2023. A new version of the bill will be filed, Rep. Longhurst said, though she cast doubt on whether it will have enough support to garner passage.

“The one thing I did learn in leadership from (former Speaker) Bob Gilligan and former Speaker (Pete) Schwartzkopf … is trying to teach people compromise and sit down and talk to people, especially when (lawmakers are) new. That’s the best avenue to go,” she said.

Rep. Longhurst also provided an update on House Bill 17, which would provide paid sick time and safety leave. The state chamber of commerce and several municipal chambers oppose it, due to its potential stress on businesses.

The act, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, would give employees a minimum of one hour of sick time and safety leave for every 30 hours worked, capped at 40 hours per year. The bill was substituted after its committee hearing, which lowered the price of the policy from $1.2 million in fiscal year 2027 to about $900,000.

Despite the compromise, Rep. Longhurst said HB 17 will not pass this year, as it will not be released from the House Appropriations Committee due to its fiscal note.

Following the speaker’s remarks Thursday, Sen. Sokola, D-Newark, touted the work being done by several members of his caucus.

This included efforts by Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos of Elsmere to improve long-term care and Sen. Kyle Evans Gay of Talleyville to boost child care standards, as well as environmental protection initiatives by Sen. Stephanie Hansen of Middletown; the work of Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman of Wilmington to build safer communities; and the establishment of a paid family and medical leave program, led by Sen. Sarah McBride of Wilmington.

“Delaware’s economy works well for so many, but when it doesn’t, the legislature has a role to play. And I would submit to you, we can play it responsibly,” Sen. Sokola said. “By the way, that stability for working families is the exact same thing (businesses) need to make sure your workers are well educated, well trained and have the supports they need to put in a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.”

The General Assembly will return to Legislative Hall on June 11, after the Joint Finance Committee’s budget markup is complete. The final day of this year’s session is June 30, a Sunday.