Legislation to Strengthen Delaware’s Mental Health Workforce to be Heard in Committee Wednesday

Delaware lawmakers return to Dover Tuesday/today. Legislation that is designed to modernize Delaware’s psychology licensing laws and expand access to mental healthcare will be heard in committee on Wednesday. Senate Bill 208 has been introduced by Republican Senator Brian Pettyjohn of Georgetown who says, like the rest of the country, Delaware is experiencing an increasing shortage of mental health providers. This measure would create a regulated licensure pathway for master’s-level psychology clinicians.

The bill will be considered by the Senate Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee Wednesday at 1pm.

Additional information from the Senate Republican Caucus:

As demand for services continues to rise, many Delawareans face long wait times or limited access to care, particularly in rural communities.

“This is a technical but important update to our licensing laws that reflects the realities of today’s mental health system,” said Senator Pettyjohn. “We have a growing need for mental health services in Delaware and our code needs to support a workforce that can meet that demand while maintaining high professional standards.”

SB 208 does not replace or diminish existing licenses for psychologists, counselors, or social workers, but instead adds a complementary role within the broader mental health care system.

“The goal is to responsibly expand access to care without compromising quality or patient safety,” Pettyjohn said. “This bill strengthens oversight, brings clarity to the law, and helps Delaware remain competitive in recruiting and retaining trained mental health professionals.”

SB 208 brings Delaware in line with national trends, supports community-based mental health settings, and helps address workforce shortages affecting hundreds of thousands of Delawareans across the state. The Delaware Psychological Association has affirmed its support for the proposal.