DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 28

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE AND CHAPTER 420 OF VOLUME 83 OF THE LAWS OF DELAWARE RELATING TO DENTISTRY AND DENTAL HYGIENE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1132B, Title 24 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1132B. Community health license to care for underserved populations — Dentists practicing in federally-qualified health centers (“FQHCs”) or in government-operated dental clinics.

(f) (1) A community health license to care for underserved populations expires after 2 years of service at an FQHC or a government-operated dental clinic has been completed, or after a pending application for a license under § 1122 of this title has been approved, whichever comes later.

(2) The Board may grant an extension of the community health license for good cause demonstrated by the holder of the license. If a holder of a community health license to care for underserved populations continues to practice in compliance with subsection (b) of this section, the license is renewable and shall be renewed biennially by the Board.

Section 2. Amend Section 8, Chapter 420, Volume 83 of the Laws of Delaware by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

Section 8. There is created the Dental Care Access Task Force (“Task Force”).

(10) The co-chairs of the Task Force shall compile a report containing a summary of the Task Force’s work regarding the issues assigned to it under paragraph (1) of this Section, including any findings and recommendations related to those issues, and submit the report no later than February 1, 2023. April 1, 2023.

SYNOPSIS

This Act provides that if a dentist holds a community health license to care for underserved populations through a federally-qualified health center or a government-operated dental clinic and continues to practice in compliance with § 1132B(b) of Title 24 of the Delaware Code, the dentist’s license is renewable and shall be renewed biennially by the State Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene.

This Act also extends the due date for the Dental Care Access Task Force’s report to April 1, 2023.

Author: Senator S. McBride