The Overview

If a parent or loved one lives in a Delaware long-term care facility, you'll soon be able to see exactly who owns the place. A new Delaware law now requires long-term care facilities to disclose their ownership to residents and on their websites. The long-term care facility ownership transparency law, SB 196, became law when Gov. Matt Meyer (D) signed it July 23. ​

The U.S. Government Accountability Office reported in 2023 that many nursing homes did not have all their owners listed in Medicare and Medicaid ownership data, and that the data made private equity ownership hard to assess fully (GAO). When the law takes effect, facilities will be required to post ownership information publicly and notify residents before ownership changes hands.

What the Law Does

The law puts several new obligations on long-term care facilities in Delaware. Facilities must post a full list of their owners on their website, and any marketing or promotional materials must direct people to that website to find the ownership list.

When ownership of a long-term care facility is set to change hands, the current and incoming owners must notify residents and, where applicable, their authorized representatives, no more than 30 calendar days after the Department approves the required ownership and control paperwork.

Facilities must also disclose disciplinary actions that resulted from incidents threatening the health, safety, or welfare of a resident. Nonprofit corporations are exempt from certain disclosure requirements, and the law does not apply to ownership actions that began before it takes effect. The law amends Title 16 of the Delaware Code, which governs long-term care facilities in the state.

Legislative Status

Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos (D), Sen. Ray Seigfried (D), Melanie Ross Levin, Sen. Dave Lawson (R), and Claire Snyder-Hall sponsored the bill. The bipartisan sponsor list, which includes members of both parties, signals that ownership transparency drew support across the aisle.

The Senate approved it 20-0 on June 11, and the House passed it 39-1 on June 23. Across both chambers, only one lawmaker voted against it. The governor signed it 30 days after the House vote.

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