DHSS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE FOR REVIEW OF AGENCY REGULATIONS

NEW CASTLE (Aug. 8, 2016) - The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services today announced that it will hold public hearings in September and October in all three counties, as required under House Bill 147, to review the agency's regulations that were adopted or amended before 2012. The Department's public hearings will be conducted in connection with HB 147, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Jack Markell in 2015. The law requires all executive branch agencies to solicit public input in identifying regulations adopted four years ago or more for possible modification or elimination, with the goal of reducing outdated or unnecessary regulations.

The Department's hearings are scheduled for:

• Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Chapel, DHSS Herman Holloway Campus, 1901 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle
• Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. in the Division of Public Health Conference Room 100, Adams State Service Center, 546 S. Bedford St., Georgetown
• Thursday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Division of Public Health Office in the Edgehill Shopping Center, 43 S. DuPont Highway, Dover

"We need the public's help in identifying specific DHSS regulations that you believe should be streamlined or eliminated," DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf said. "My agency is committed to listening to your suggestions about specific regulations that you believe are outdated, inconsistent or no longer serve their intended purpose."

Members of the public who require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in a public hearing, such as an American Sign Language interpreter, can call Cindi Powell at the Department of Health and Social Services at 302-255-9043 at least 10 days before the hearing for arrangements to be made. All locations are wheelchair-accessible.

In addition to participating in the public hearings, members of the public also are encouraged to submit comments in writing. Comments will be accepted through Oct. 31 using an online form on the DHSS website: dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ After the public hearings are finished and the online comment period ends, the Department will consider the input received and change or remove regulations accordingly.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.