Delaware Residents' Protection Commission
Commission (formerly called "The Delaware Nursing Home Residents Quality Assurance Commission" (DNHRQAC))
Thanks to the General Assembly, HB 226 empowers the Delaware Residents' Protection Commission (DRPC) to conduct a state-wide satisfaction survey for Residents, Family Members/Caregivers & Staff of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs) throughout Delaware. Any questions about this initiative, please contact the Commission: 302.836.2133 or DRPC@Delaware.gov.
Next meeting: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
When: 9:30 am
Where:
2540 Wrangle Hill Rd
Bear, DE 19701
Please note the Public Meeting Calendar (PMC) will include Zoom link with login details and anchor location.
Staffing Ratio Waiver Application Instructions and Staffing Ratio Waiver Application.
Background
The commission was created in 1999. It is comprised of 15 members who work closely with reviewing policies and laws to implement changes/improvements for Delaware skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility, and memory care unit residents.
Mission
DRPC's mission is to monitor the quality of care, quality of life and safety provided to Delaware's nursing facility, assisted living facility and memory care unit residents in both privately operated and state operated facilities and to ensure so that complaints of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, financial exploitation and other complaints are responded to in a timely manner by the oversight agencies responsible.
Key Objectives
- Examine the policies and procedures and evaluate the effectiveness of the quality assurance/improvement system for nursing facility, assisted living facility and memory care unit residents, including the respective roles of the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of Justice and law-enforcement agencies, health-care professionals and nursing facility, assisted living and memory care unit providers.
- Monitor data and analyze trends in the quality of care, quality of life and safety of individuals receiving services in nursing facilities, assisted living and memory care units.
- Review and make recommendations to the Governor, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services and General Assembly concerning the quality assurance system and improvements to the overall quality of life and care of nursing home residents.
- Protect the privacy of nursing facility, assisted living facility and memory care unit residents, including complying with the guidelines for confidentiality of records established by the Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ).
Access the official DRPC By-Laws document to understand the commission's governing principles and operational guidelines.
DRPC By-Laws PDF opens in new window (effective 5/19/2022)
During FY 24 & FY 25 budget mark-up hearings, the Delaware Joint Finance Committee (JFC) added epilogue language suspending the staffing ratios per shift requirement in 16 Del. C. § 1162. As a result, DRPC formed a subcommittee to develop a waiver application and review process.
Effective 1/1/2025, all Delaware Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) must be in compliance with 16 Del. C. § 1162.
If a Delaware SNF would like to be considered for a time limited staffing ratio waiver, they would need to complete a waiver application. DRPC has the authority to grant or deny a waiver per 16 Del. C. § 1162.
Staffing Ratio Waiver Application Instructions
Staffing Ratio Waiver Application
Eagles Law Waiver Subcommittee Meetings: Meeting Calendar: State of Delaware.
DRPC created a legislative/advocacy subcommittee to comment on legislation, regulations or other items on behalf of the Commission. DRPC Legislative/Advocacy Subcommittee meetings are open to the public and posted to the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.
Please note DRPC's response to the CMS Proposed Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting—submitted October 31, 2023
DRPC created a Staffing Model Subcommittee to study long term care staffing models in Delaware. DRPC Staffing Model Subcommittee meetings are open to the public and posted to the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar.
For more information about DRPC, we've created an Introduction brochure to assist with commonly asked questions.
In addition, DRPC commissioners and staff visit long term care facilities to monitor the quality assurance system. Please read our brochure, Facility Visits, for more information about skilled nursing facility and assisted living facility visits.
Contact Information:
Margaret E. Bailey, Executive Director
Susan Moore, MPA, Administrative Specialist
Ngozi Dom-Chima, Ph.D., Data Analyst
2540 Wrangle Hill Road | Suite 223 | Bear, DE 19701
Phone: (302) 836-2133 | Fax: (302) 836-2644
State Location Code: N711A