Committee advances bill to replace outdated STI statutes, remove forced-testing powers

Representative Morrison introduced House Bill 346 to modernize a chapter of Delaware law that currently addresses "sexually transmitted diseases" and related enforcement powers. Morrison said portions of the statute were drafted when officials had a different understanding of these conditions and that the bill updates terminology, reporting methods, and the roles of clinical and nonclinical staff in the Division of Public Health's STD program.

Morrison outlined key changes: the bill replaces older "disease" language with "infection" terminology, clarifies reporting timelines and methods for providers, removes statutory authority for forced testing, forced examination, isolation or quarantine for those suspected of STIs, removes mandatory specimen collection requirements for pregnant patients, and eliminates a provision authorizing department employees to draw blood for testing. "Those approaches are not consistent with how we currently manage [sexually transmitted infections]," DPH consultant Dr. Atelio Zarrella told the committee, adding that modern public health emphasizes prevention, voluntary testing, timely treatment and informed consent. "DPH strongly supports this legislation," he said.

Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about when the statutory language was last updated; no member pressed for amendments on the bill text at this hearing. No in‑person public commenters signed up; DPH staff served as expert witnesses. A motion to release the bill was made and the clerk recorded affirmative votes, but the chair announced the committee would circulate the bill for additional signatures (walking the bill) rather than report it out that day.

Next steps: staff will seek signatures from absent members; if sufficient, HB 346 will be reported to the full House and assigned further action.