House passes Maternal Health Awareness Day resolution after floor debate and revote
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Summary
The Delaware House approved House Concurrent Resolution 83, designating Jan. 23, 2026 as Maternal Health Awareness Day, after members shared personal testimony about pregnancy complications, challenged statistics and carried a motion to revote; final passage was 34 yes, 7 absent.
The Delaware House of Representatives on Jan. 23 approved House Concurrent Resolution 83 designating Jan. 23, 2026, as Maternal Health Awareness Day after floor debate and a formal roll‑call vote.
Representative Kamala Smith introduced the resolution and asked that the chamber record a roll call for final passage. Several members used the floor to relate personal pregnancy and postpartum experiences and to press for action addressing maternal disparities.
"This year, this has kinda hit me a little bit different," Representative Kim Smith said, recounting a friend hospitalized for maternal health issues and citing federal and state statistics from the CDC and the Delaware Maternal and Child Death Review Commission. She told colleagues: "In 2023, the CDC found ... 19 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2023," and cited state review findings that 90% of pregnancy‑related deaths in Delaware were preventable. Smith also read race‑specific rates recorded in the transcript: Hispanic women 12.4 per 100,000, non‑Hispanic white women 14.5 per 100,000, and non‑Hispanic Black women 50.3 per 100,000.
Some members questioned the figures and urged focus on causes and solutions. "Now if these numbers are right... It says that in 1987 there were 7.2 deaths per 100,000 and it says that in 2021 there were 33.2," Representative Collins said, challenging whether the trend reflects changes in care, other causes or data interpretation. Collins said the body is "here to solve problems," and urged policy responses rather than only attribution of causes.
The debate included a brief controversy after an audible "no" vote on the first voice call. Leader Dukes later stood and apologized, saying his earlier aloud response had been inadvertent and that he supports the resolution: "I wasn't trying to be cute... I fully support the resolution," he said. Representative Lynn moved under House Rule 43 to reconsider the voice vote and seek a formal revote.
The motion to revote carried, the clerk read HCR 83 again by title, and Representative Kamala Smith requested a roll call. The clerk's tally recorded 34 yes and 7 absent; the presiding officer declared the resolution passed the House by a constitutional majority. The resolution will be transmitted to the Senate.
Members stressed that passage is symbolic but important to continue legislative and programmatic work to reduce maternal mortality and to address racial disparities. Several lawmakers urged follow‑up measures and further data‑driven action.
The House adjourned to recess until the next scheduled session.
