FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | September 1, 2026
Contact: Jenna Greenlee (302) 307-2602
NEWARK — State Senator Marie Pinkney joined House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, Governor Matt Meyer, perinatal health advocates, and community members at Josie’s Grace to celebrate the ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 301, which strengthens protections for pregnant patients experiencing labor symptoms.
SB 301 received a unanimous vote in both chambers during the final weeks of the 153rd General Assembly, underscoring Delaware’s dedication to improving perinatal and mental health care for Delawareans. The signing took place at Josie’s Grace, a Delaware nonprofit dedicated to maternal mental health and provides mothers with support during pregnancy, postpartum, and the transition into parenthood. State and federal legislators toured the facility, met with members of the organization, and heard directly about the experiences of those who have participated in their program.
“Inspired by my own survival of a perinatal mood and anxiety condition in 2009, I designed this program to be the exact sanctuary of care and support I wished had existed back then,” said Anne DeCaire, founder of Josie’s Grace. “ Today, we provide free, trauma-informed care, screening, and peer support to mothers navigating the critical ‘fourth trimester.’ Nationally, 1 in 5 women—and 1 in 3 Black women—experience perinatal mental health conditions, yet few are screened or treated to remission. To date, we have served nearly 300 mothers, normalizing the hardships of early parenthood while providing essential stress-reduction tools, food, and education. Our evidence-based mental health care explicitly holds space for a mother’s emotional distress—while our volunteers literally hold her baby so she can focus on healing. “
Ensuring the continued safety of both mothers and babies, there must be continued care through all phases of motherhood that considers their physical safety as well as their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
“Time and time again, stories are told across the nation of Black women disproportionately experiencing inadequate care and having their concerns dismissed by medical professionals,” said Sen. Marie Pinkney, prime sponsor of SB 301. “Black women, Black mothers, and Black patients deserve the same level of care as anyone else. The fourth trimester and beyond are the most vulnerable periods for a new mother, and with the assistance of my colleagues in the House and Congress, we are assuring that women are protected and cared for physically, emotionally, and mentally.”
Under SB 301, hospitals must now establish discharge plans for patients experiencing labor symptoms. The plan lays out guidelines for patients to understand next steps, opens pathways for appropriate care, reliable transportation, and identifies alternative hospitals in the event of emergency labor delivery. This legislation was inspired by the federal WELLS Act, championed in Congress by U.S. Sen. Blunt Rochester and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.
“From the first trimester to the fourth trimester, we want to make sure moms and families have the support they need to be healthy,” said U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester. “The signing of Delaware Senate Bill 301 will save lives while building on the work we’re doing in Congress to end the maternal health crisis. I’m honored to have been with my partners in progress—Senator Marie Pinkney and Speaker Minor Brown—to celebrate this historic moment for First State families.”
The federal legislation was named in honor of Mercedes Wells, whose labor drew national attention after giving birth on the side of the road after being discharged from a hospital. While SB 301 was passed in Delaware, lawmakers are continuing to advocate for the advancement of the WELLS Act in Congress so similar protections are offered across the country.
“As a nurse, I know that discharge is not simply the moment a patient walks out of the hospital, it is a critical part of their care. A pregnant patient who seeks help because she is in pain or experiencing labor-like symptoms deserves to leave knowing what is happening, what warning signs to watch for, what steps to take next, and when to return for immediate care. No woman should leave a hospital uncertain about whether she or her baby is safe. We know our bodies better than anyone else,” said Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, House prime sponsor of SB 301. “By requiring hospitals to provide a comprehensive discharge plan for pregnant patients experiencing symptoms, we are strengthening continuity of care and closing a dangerous gap in our maternal health system. When women tell us something is wrong, we must listen, take them seriously, and make sure they have a safe plan for what comes next. Mothers and babies should never pay the price for a breakdown in communication or care.”
Sen. Pinkney and Speaker Minor-Brown both applauded the successful passing of SB 301, but noted the pushback and hesitation that was met by some colleagues during the legislation’s introduction. SB 301 represents progress being made on the state-level for women’s health, while also acknowledging the gaps that exist in healthcare when it comes to maternal health, especially regarding Black patients.
“When a mother is in labor, ‘good luck’ is not a plan. Any pregnant woman who shows up to a hospital in Delaware should feel seen, heard, and cared for until she and her baby are safe. From this day forward, no patient in labor leaves a Delaware hospital without a plan, a ride, and a safe place to go,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “This bill passed the General Assembly unanimously with the full backing of our federal delegation. Maternal health isn’t a partisan issue, it’s a human one. And when we treat it that way, we get bills that don’t just sit on a desk, but change what happens in hospital rooms for families across our state.”
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