Daily Report for 4/17/2025

Governor's Actions

No legislation is Signed by Governor Today

New Legislation Introduced

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HCR 33Passed HouseSpiegelmanThis resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program as part of the American System of Conservation Funding.A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPORTFISH RESTORATION PROGRAM AS PART OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF CONSERVATION FUNDING.
HR 11Passed HouseSpiegelmanThis resolution designates April 19th, 2025, as a Day of Honor for the semiquincentennial anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. DESIGNATING APRIL 19TH, 2025, AS A DAY OF HONOR FOR THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD.
HB 122CommitteeGriffithThis Act clarifies and refines the criminal jurisdiction of Family Court. First, this Act alters the definition of “family” by removing the requirement that both parties be residents of this state. Second, this Act provides concurrent criminal jurisdiction in Family Court and the Court of Common Pleas for certain criminal offenses where the parentage of a child in common is in dispute. Finally, this Act provides Family Court and the Court of Common Pleas with concurrent criminal jurisdiction over non-felony, adult criminal cases that include charges that fall within both Family Court’s and Court of Common Pleas’ jurisdiction. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because Section 28 of Article IV of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to confer jurisdiction of a misdemeanor on the Family Court. This Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FAMILY COURT'S CRIMINAL JURISDICTION.
HB 123CommitteeChukwuochaThis Act creates the crime of “discharging a firearm at a dwelling, place of worship, vehicle, or place of business.” The offense is a class E felony. The offense contains a provision that provides that a person may not be convicted of both a violation of this section and reckless endangering 1st or 2nd with regard to the same conduct. It also exempts a shooting range from the businesses covered by the statute.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM.
HS 1 for HB 91CommitteeK. WilliamsThis Substitute to HB 91 differs from HB 91 in that it further expands free breakfasts in schools participating in the federal School Breakfast Program by making them available to all students, regardless of household income, but does not expand free lunch income eligibility. The Department of Education shall reimburse a public school providing free breakfasts. The reimbursement must be equal to the federal free reimbursement rate multiplied by the total number of breakfasts that the participating public school serves during the applicable budget year minus the total amount of reimbursement for breakfasts served during the applicable budget year that the participating public school receives under the School Breakfast Program. This Act does not apply to schools participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, Provision 1, Provision 2, or Provision 3 special assistance certification and reimbursement alternatives. This Act takes effect immediately and is to be implemented beginning July 1, 2026.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.
SA 1 to SB 76PWBBucksonThis Amendment adds 2 forms to the list of documents that qualify as proof that an applicant is a veteran, to ensure that a member of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration can receive veteran designation on the applicant's driver license. 
HB 124CommitteeK. WilliamsThis Act increases the maximum amount of fees that the State Fire Marshal's Office can charge as follows: 1. The maximum fee for a license to service portable unit fire suppression applicance is changed from $50 to $100. 2. The maximum fee for all other permits, licenses, and certifications as required in the State Fire Prevention Regulations is changed from $25 to $100. These changes are being made to reflect the increasing cost of providing these services since the maximum fees were last set several decades ago. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 10 of Article VIII of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to increase the effective rate of any tax levied or license fee imposed.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STATE FIRE MARSHAL FEES.
HB 126CommitteeShupeThis Act exempts from State income tax any income received by a full-time hourly wage-paid employee for overtime work performed in excess of 40 hours in a week. This exemption applies for taxable years beginning on January 1, 2026, and ending before January 1, 2028. This Act also requires each employer to provide information to the Division of Revenue about the total amount of overtime provided to full-time hourly wage-paid employees and the number of employees to whom overtime was paid in taxable years beginning January 1, 2025. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PERSONAL INCOME TAX.
SA 1 to HB 140DefeatedRichardsonThis amendment requires that a patient seeking to utilize the end of life option delineated in HB 140 must be evaluated by a psychologist or psychiatrist for purposes of confirming decision-making capacity.  
SA 2 to HB 140DefeatedRichardsonThis amendment requires the Department of Health and Social Services to provide information and a statistical report to the Division of Professional Regulation regarding medical professionals’ compliance with HB 140, so that any violations of the act’s requirements can be identified and addressed. 
HB 130CommitteeOsienskiThis Act addresses information and access rights relating to bargaining units, which are defined under existing law as groups of public employees designated by the Public Employment Relations Board as appropriate for representation by an employee organization for purposes of collective bargaining. Section 1 of the Act amends the Public School Employment Relations Act in Title 14 of the Delaware Code. It provides that a public employer must provide an exclusive bargaining representative with certain contact information of bargaining unit employees, (i) within 14 calendar days of their hiring and (ii) in January and October of each year, starting in January 2026. In addition, a public employer must allow an exclusive representative to communicate with bargaining unit members using their employer-issued email addresses regarding collective bargaining, the administration of collective bargaining agreements, the investigation of grievances, workplace-related complaints and issues, and internal matters involving the exclusive representative's governance or business. Section 2 of the Act makes these same amendments to the Public Employment Relations Act in Title 19 of the Delaware Code.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 14 AND 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO BARGAINING UNITS.
HB 127CommitteeKamela SmithThis Act restructures the Manufactured Homes Installation Board to reduce its size. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURED HOME INSTALLATION BOARD.
HS 1 for HB 48CommitteeNealHS 1 to HB 42 adds provisions to Title 21 to better regulate and enforce accessible parking spaces in Delaware. Although federal and state laws currently require specific design and construction requirements for accessible spaces, these laws are often ignored because of a lack of enforcement. To that end, this Act largely adopts federal design and construction requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires that a permit be issued by the local county or municipal authority to ensure that accessible parking spaces are compliant with accessibility laws. This Act permits a county or municipal government to assess a civil penalty of up to $500 on an individual or entity that does not comply with the design and construction requirements of this Act. This Act also increases the fine for unlawfully occupying an accessible parking space. Rather than imprisonment, the penalty for unlawfully occupying an accessible parking space may include community service. This Act does create a new state requirement that 1 of every 3 accessible parking spaces be van accessible in large parking lots. Under the ADA, only 1 of every 6 accessible parking spaces must be van accessible in large parking lots. This Act adds provisions in Titles 9 and 22 to require county and municipal governments to adopt regulations and ordinances incorporating Title 21’s new accessible parking space requirements, including the requirement that property owners obtain a permit and that the permitting agency verify that the new or modified accessible parking spaces is compliant with the law. HS1 to HB 42 differs from HB 42 in that it requires state facilities to obtain approval through the Architectural Accessibility Board in lieu of a permit. It also clarifies that this Act does not apply to on-street parking.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 9, 21, AND 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES.
SB 25CommitteeTownsendThis Act allows an employee organization to file a petition with the Board to become the exclusive representative of an appropriate bargaining unit for the purpose of collective bargaining. In the event an employee organization provides over 50% of the employees’ approval, through their authorized signatures, then the Board may not order an election but must certify the employee organization. This Act also makes technical corrections to confirm existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 14 AND 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ACT.
HB 128CommitteeHeffernanThis Act corrects an error in the existing code to clarify that the maximum aggregate number of weeks during which medical leave and family caregiving leave benefits are available is 6 weeks in an application year. This Act also amends existing code to specify that a covered individual is eligible for benefits not more than once in a 12-month period rather than a 24-month period. This Act further provides that the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program is the primary payor, and other paid leave benefits must be coordinated with this benefit according to the terms of the policy or procedure governing other benefits. This Act also allows disability insurance benefits to be offset by family and medical leave benefits paid to an employee pursuant to the terms of a disability insurance policy. This Act addresses private plans, and clarifies that an employer that meets its obligations under Chapter 37 of Title 19 through a private plan does not need to provide claim documentation to the Department except if there is an appeal, complaint, audit, or specific inquiry from the Department. Private plan employers with fewer than 25 employees that voluntarily elect to provide coverage under the Chapter that is otherwise exempted due to the size of their companies will be subject to all of the provisions of the Chapter. This Act establishes a Paid Leave Advisory Committee to review issues related to the implementation and administration of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program and to review proposed statutory and regulatory amendments to the program. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM.
SB 111CommitteeHansenThis Act amends the Charter of the Town of Odessa to expressly authorize the Town to collect taxes and other charges owed to the Town using the provisions in Title 9 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 87, including the monition method of sale.AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF ODESSA.

Legislation Passed By Senate

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 25PassedCollinsThis bill amends the charter of the Town of Millsboro to authorize redistricting of the Town's 3 municipal election districts using the 2020 federal decennial census by January 1, 2026 and to thereafter redistrict within 2 years of the latest federal decennial census. This bill also changes the process to fill a vacancy on the Town Council so that: (1) the Town Council shall appoint a person to fill a vacancy when there is less than 1 year remaining in the vacant term; (2) a special election is required to fill a vacancy when there is more than 1 year remaining in the vacant term; and (3) the Town Council shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy if no one files to run in the special election. This bill also clarifies that the Secretary shall be one of the members of the Town Council and describes the duties of the Secretary.TAN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF MILLSBORO RELATING TO TOWN OF MILLSBORO ELECTION DISTRICTS, VACANCIES, AND THE TOWN SECRETARY.
HB 140PassedMorrisonThis Act permits a terminally ill individual who is an adult resident of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to end the individual's life in a humane and dignified manner if both the individual's attending physician or attending advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and a consulting physician or consulting APRN agree on the individual's diagnosis and prognosis and believe the individual has decision-making capacity, is making an informed decision, and is acting voluntarily. This Act is the same as House Bill No. 140 (152nd) with 1 technical revision to include a definition of "physician" for consistency and to clarify that a physician must be licensed in Delaware. This Act provides the following procedural safeguards: 1. No one may request medication to end life on behalf of another individual. 2. An individual cannot qualify for medication to end life under this chapter solely because of the individual's age or disability. A mental illness or mental health condition is not a qualifying condition under this Act and a mental illness or mental health condition may be the reason that an individual does not have decision-making capacity and is thus, ineligible for medication to end their life in a humane and dignified manner. 3. Both the individual's attending physician or attending APRN and a consulting physician or consulting APRN must confirm that the individual has a terminal illness and a prognosis of 6 months or less to live, has decision-making capacity, is making an informed decision, and is acting voluntarily. 4. The individual's attending physician or attending APRN must also provide specific disclosures to the individual to ensure that the individual is making an informed decision, including the presentation of all end of life options which include comfort care, palliative care, hospice care, and pain control. 5. The individual must be evaluated by a psychiatrist or a psychologist if either the attending or consulting physicians or APRNs are concerned that the individual lacks decision-making capacity. 6. The individual must complete a witnessed form requesting medication to end life and there are limitations on who can witness the signing of the form. 7. The attending physician or attending APRN must offer the individual the opportunity to rescind the request for medication to end life before writing a prescription for the medication. 8. Two waiting periods must pass before the attending physician or attending APRN may prescribe the medication to end life. 9. The attending physician or attending APRN must provide the qualified patient with instructions about the proper safe-keeping and disposal of unused medication to end life in a humane and dignified manner under applicable state or federal guidelines. The United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines include using a medication collection site or a medication disposal pouch, that deactivates and renders drugs ineffective. 10. An insurer or health-care provider may not deny or alter health-care benefits otherwise available to an individual based upon the availability of medication to end life or otherwise coerce or require a request for medication to end life as a condition of receiving care. 11. A health-care institution may prohibit a physician or APRN from prescribing medication under this Act on the health-care institution's premises and a physician or APRN may to refuse to prescribe medication under this Act. 12. A request or prescription for or the dispensing of medication under this Act does not constitute elder abuse, suicide, assisted-suicide, homicide, or euthanasia. 13. People acting in good faith and in accordance with generally accepted health-care standards under this Act have immunity, but those acting with negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct do not have criminal or civil immunity. 14. The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) must develop rules and regulations to collect information regarding compliance with this Act and require health-care providers to file a report when medication to end life in a humane and dignified manner is prescribed or dispensed. DHSS may review samples of records maintained under this Act. The information DHSS collects must include the information necessary to assess a physician's or APRN's compliance with their responsibilities under this Act and DHSS has explicit authority to share information with the Division of Professional Regulation if DHSS suspects that a health-care provider failed to comply with the requirements under this Act. 15. DHSS must complete an annual statistical report of information collected under this Act, similar to public reports available in other states such as New Jersey where this end of life option is available. This report has the following purposes: • To assist the DHSS in its oversight responsibilities for this Act. • To assist the public in learning how well this new law is operating. 16. The Department of State may also promulgate regulations or develop forms and protocols necessary under this Act. 17. Allows the Office of Controlled Substances to provide reports of data in the prescription monitoring program to DHSS to assess compliance with this Act. This Act takes effect when final regulations required under this Act have been promulgated or January 1, 2026, whichever occurs earlier. This Act is known as "The Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Law" in memory of Ron Silverio and Heather Block, who were passionate advocates that passed away without this option becoming available to them.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO END OF LIFE OPTIONS.
HB 23PassedK. WilliamsThis Act makes the following changes to human trafficking law: (1) It adds “patronizing a victim of sexual servitude” and “ trafficking of persons for use of body parts” to the offenses that may serve as a predicate for forfeiture of property under the trafficking statute. (2) It removes an obsolete reference to charging a minor with delinquency for engaging in prostitution. The Criminal Code was revised in 2019 to define prostitution as a crime that may be committed only by a person who is 18 years of age or older. (3) It adds conduct constituting a human trafficking offense to the list of conduct that constitutes “abuse” for purposes of obtaining a protective order in Family Court.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 AND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
HB 27 w/ HA 1PassedK. WilliamsThis Act makes changes to the operating requirements for the Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council. It reduces the members required for quorum from 13 to 10. Since the quorum requirement has been reduced to less than a majority of the Council, the bill also specifies that the Council may generally take action upon the vote of a majority of members present at a meeting, but that a majority vote of the Council members is required to approve the appointment of an Executive Director. Consistent with current practice, the Executive Director has the authority to hire staff and contract for services within the limits of available funds. The Act also revises the reporting on funds spent to be part of the annual report and include state, federal, or other funding received by the Council other than State-funded positions. At the present time, the Council does not receive state funding other than allocated personnel positions. Finally, the Act allows the Council to have a virtual meeting with a physical location open to the public (anchor location) so long as a staff member of the Council is present at the anchor location. Without this authorization, a member of the Council would be required to attend at the anchor location in order to comply with the State’s open meeting rules.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTION COUNCIL.
HB 16PassedGriffithThis Act adds a high school student to the AI Commission as a nonvoting member. The Chair of the Commission will appoint a student who is, or will be in the next school year, a tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade student in a public or private school in Delaware. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMMISSION.
SB 69Passed SenateBucksonThis Act prohibits a school district or charter school from selling or serving breakfast, lunch, or competitive food on campus during the school day that contains the color additive Red dye 40 (CAS no. 25956-17-6). Competitive foods are sold through the school nutrition programs, and include items sold in vending machines on campus or served a la carte. Red dye 40 (CAS no. 25956-17-6) is a synthetic food coloring derived from petroleum. It is found in food products such as cereal, beverages, gelatins, puddings, popsicles, chips, dairy products, and confections. Red dye 40 is used solely to enhance the appearance of food and does not provide any nutritional value. Consumption of Red dye 40 has been associated with hyperactivity, aggression, and other neurobehavioral problems in some children. Red dye 40 may also be linked with migraines and learning difficulties. The European Union requires a warning label to be placed on food products with Red dye 40, stating that it “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”. California became the first state to pass a prohibition on the provision of and sale of foods in schools that contain Red dye 40. Presently, at least 6 other states have introduced legislation to prohibit Red dye 40 in schools. This Act is effective immediately and is to be implemented beginning July 1, 2026. The Department of Education and local education agencies will use the period leading up to the implementation date as a planning and preparation year.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FOODS AND BEVERAGES IN SCHOOLS.
HB 110SignedOsienskiThis Act identifies the specific categories of persons required to obtain a fingerprint-based national criminal background check in connection with working at a licensed marijuana establishment, holding a marijuana establishment license, or owning or serving on the board of directors of a business entity that has or applies for a marijuana establishment license. This clarification is necessary to comply with the requirements of Public Law (Pub. L.) 92-544 for access to FBI criminal history record information. This Act also makes conforming changes to § 1354 of Title 4 and clarifies other grounds for approval or denial of a license based on criminal background check information.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE MARIJUANA CONTROL ACT.
SB 91Passed SenateSturgeonThis Act requires schools that receive federal funding ensure students, staff, and faculty are protected from sex-based discrimination and sex-based harassment. The Act further requires schools to communicate to students, through their website, the existence of Title IX administrators as required by federal law. The Act requires the school’s website provide information explaining the roles and duties of Title IX administrators, how to contact the appropriate Title IX administrator, and the school’s Title IX policy. The Act ensures that students have access to the appropriate forms to start a complaint and access to the FAQ link provided by U.S. Office of Civil Rights. The Act instructs the school to provide an explanation and examples of possible supportive measures for students who experience sex-based discrimination or sex-based harassment. The Act instructs the Title IX coordinator of every Title IX school to provide a written reminder to school staff and faculty at the beginning of the academic year, outlining the school’s Title IX policy regarding the reporting of sex-based discrimination, including sex-based harassment. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TITLE IX.
HCR 32PassedRomerThis resolution designates May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month in Delaware to recognize and raise awareness of myositis, a rare neuromuscular disease. It highlights the efforts of The Myositis Association’s Proclamation 50 campaign, which seeks recognition in all 50 states. The resolution encourages public education, support for affected individuals, and further research into myositis.RECOGNIZING MAY 2025 AS "MYOSITIS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HCR 31PassedKamela SmithThis concurrent resolution designates April 10th, 2025, as “Youth Author Day” in the State of Delaware.DESIGNATING APRIL 10TH, 2025, AS “YOUTH AUTHOR DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HCR 35PassedK. JohnsonThis House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the month of April 2025 as “National Fair Housing Month” in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2025 AS THE ANNUAL “NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE
HCR 36PassedRoss LevinThis Concurrent Resolution recognizes sundown on April 23rd, 2025, through nightfall on April 24th, 2025, as Yom HaShoah, and urges all residents to reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust, honor the memory of its victims, and strive to eradicate prejudice and injustice in all forms.RECOGNIZING APRIL 23RD TO APRIL 24TH, 2025 AS YOM HASHOAH.
HCR 37PassedMinor-BrownThis Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 16, 2025, as "Health Care Decisions Day of Awareness".RECOGNIZING APRIL 16, 2025, AS “HEALTH CARE DECISIONS DAY OF AWARENESS”.
HCR 38PassedLambertThis Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 17, 2025, as "Celebrate Delaware Together Day", in celebration of Delaware's rich tapestry of cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds.RECOGNIZING APRIL 17, 2025, AS "CELEBRATE DELAWARE TOGETHER DAY".

Legislation Passed By House of Representatives

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HJR 2 w/ HA 1CommitteeNealThis House Joint Resolution directs the Department of Health and Social Services (“DHSS”) to explore participating in the federal Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). The RMP is an option that states may incorporate into their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure that SNAP recipients who are senior citizens, disabled, or unhoused, or other eligible family members of those participants, may use their SNAP benefits to buy hot foods or hot prepared meals. These populations may otherwise experience barriers that prevent them having the opportunity to access a nutritious and sustaining meal. This Joint Resolution also requires DHSS to provide a report to the General Assembly as to its findings. DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO EXPLORE PARTICIPATING IN THE FEDERAL RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM.
HB 56CommitteeMorrisonExcess skin and subcutaneous tissue can create a risk of rashes or infections, make walking and movement difficult, and make everyday chores difficult. An example of treatment that removes excess skin and subcutaneous tissue is a panniculectomy. A panniculectomy is an operative procedure that contours, or changes the shape and form, of the abdomen by removing significant excess skin and subcutaneous tissue. Removal of excess skin and subcutaneous tissue can improve a patient’s health and quality of life. This Act requires individual health insurance plans delivered under Chapter 33 of Title 18 and group and blanket health insurance plans delivered under Chapter 35 of Title 18 to cover medically necessary removal of excess skin and subcutaneous tissue, including panniculectomies. This Act also requires the State employee health insurance plan and State Medicaid plans to cover medically necessary removal of excess skin and subcutaneous tissue, including panniculectomies. Medically necessary means as defined in § 3371(8) for individual health insurance plans and as defined in § 3581(8) for group and blanket health insurance plans, State employee health insurance plans, and State Medicaid plans. This Act applies to all policies, contracts, or certicates issued, renewed, modified, alterered, amended, or resissued after December 31, 2026.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 18, 29, AND 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COVERAGE FOR REMOVAL OF EXCESS SKIN AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE.
SB 68PassedHuxtableThis bill establishes the pilotage rates for the Pilots' Association for the Bay and River Delaware for 2026, 2027, and 2028.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 23 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PILOTAGE RATES.
HB 79 w/ HA 2CommitteeMorrisonThis Act requires additional reporting and disclosure related to the use of mechanical restraint and seclusion in public schools. While public school personnel cannot use mechanical restraint or seclusion on students in absence of a waiver, law-enforcement officers can. This Act requires the Department of Education to collect data from public schools about the use of mechanical restraint and seclusion, in addition to the physical restraint data that is already collected. The Department of Education shall include the mechanical restraint and seclusion data in its annual report. This Act adds a specific date by which the annual report is due. Additionally, the annual report must be submitted to certain entities, including the Delaware School Boards Association and the boards of education of school districts and the boards of directors of charter schools. This Act also adds mechanical restraint and seclusion to the parental notice requirement and special procedures and safeguard requirements that already exist for use of physical restraint. Though § 4112F defines “chemical restraint”, chemical restraint cannot be performed by anyone in a public school. Therefore, this Act does not add chemical restraint to data collection, reporting, parental notification, or safeguard requirements. Furthermore, this Act adds a definition of school resource officer (SRO) to clarify that SROs are law-enforcement officers. This Act requires the Department of Education to amend its regulations in accordance with the definitions in this Act. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual, including correctly formatting lists and revising § 4112F(d) of Title 14, the subsection addressing particular training requirements for SROs, to account for the creation of a definition of SRO. One technical correction in § 4112F(d) is changing a “shall not” to a “may not” as it applies to the prohibition against the use of SROs who have not complied with mandated training requirements. According to Rule 12 in the Legislative Drafting Manual, “shall not” should be avoided in legislative drafting. Furthermore, both “may not” and “must not” are proper ways to express a prohibition in the Delaware Code. They convey the same level of mandatory prohibition except that “may not” qualifies a verb in active voice while “must not” qualifies an inactive verb or an active verb in passive voice. This technical correction still prohibits school districts and charter schools from using an SRO who has not satisfied the training requirements in § 4112F(d). This Act takes effect on August 1, 2025.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT.
HB 85CommitteeK. WilliamsUnder current law, both school board members who are elected and those who are appointed to fill vacancies until the next election are required to complete a background check. However, the statute is currently unclear as to how a background check gets done and who is responsible for reviewing the background check for an appointment. This Act makes clear that a person may not be appointed unless a background check has been completed and the Commissioner of Elections has determined the person is qualified for the seat, in the same manner the Commissioner completes that duty for candidates for school board elections.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
HB 103CommitteeBushSection 1 of this Act amends§ 3301(d) of Title 12 by adding to the definition of “fiduciary” enforcers of purpose trusts under § 3556 of Title 12 that are acting in a fiduciary capacity, by adding to the definition of "nonfiduciary" enforcers of purpose trusts under § 3556 of Title 12 that are not acting in a fiduciary capacity, and by clarifying that others that are not acting in a fiduciary capacity are also nonfiduciaries. Section 2 of this Act amends § 3315(b) of Title 12 so that the statute now states expressly the practical effect of a discretionary interest in a trust merely being an expectancy, which is that a beneficiary of such an interest cannot compel a distribution from the trust. The statute continues to provide, however, that the standard of review under § 3315(a) of Title 12 applies in a suit by a beneficiary for abuse of discretion. Section 2 of this Act also deletes in 2 instances the use of the word “trustee” as being redundant because “fiduciary,” as defined in § 3301 of Title 12, already includes a trustee. Section 3 of this Act amends § 3326 of Title 12 to state expressly within the statute that a modification of a trust by consent while the trustor is living (under§ 3342 of Title 12) may be used to effectuate the resignation of a trustee or other officeholder. Section 3 of this Act also amends § 3326 to state expressly within the statute that a nonjudicial settlement agreement (under§ 3338 of Title 12) may be used to effectuate the resignation of a trustee or other officeholder where the trust’s governing instrument is silent concerning both resignation and the appointment of successor trustees or other officeholders. It is intended that these express statements in § 3326 of Title 12 will reduce the need to resort to a court petition to effectuate the resignation and resulting appointment. Section 4 of this Act amends § 3556 of Title 12 so that the statute: (1) Expressly states that a person is not deemed to be a beneficiary of a purpose trust solely by virtue of receiving disbursements from the purpose trust. (2) Defines the term “enforcer” and permits the governing instrument of a purpose trust to grant the enforcer or some other person exclusive standing to enforce the terms of a purpose trust. (3) Provides that an enforcer will serve as a fiduciary of the purpose trust unless the governing instrument provides otherwise. (4) States that a person that accepts an appointment as enforcer submits to personal jurisdiction in Delaware. (5) If there are no identifiable beneficiaries of the purpose trust, authorizes the enforcer to act as an “interested person” in the context of a nonjudicial settlement agreement under§ 3338 of Title 12 or a nonjudicial modification under§ 3342 of Title 12. The changes in Section 4 of this Act were made to update Delaware law consistent with modern purpose trust statutes in other jurisdictions. Section 5 of this Act amends § 3580 of Title 12 to add to the definition of “trustee” for purposes of Subchapter VII of Chapter 35 of Title 12 by expressly including enforcers of purpose trusts under§ 3556 of Title 12. Section 6 of this Act amends § 1513 of Title 13 to address an ambiguity inherent in the situation where one spouse makes a gift in trust for the other spouse. This Section clarifies that in such circumstance, the donee’s interest in the trust is not marital property unless the trust agreement provides otherwise. Section 7 of this Act provides an effective date.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 12 AND TITLE 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DECEDENTS’ ESTATES AND FIDUCIARY RELATIONS.
SCR 53PassedBucksonThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 21 - April 25, 2025, as "National Home Visiting Week" in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING APRIL 21- APRIL 25, 2025, AS "NATIONAL HOME VISITING WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HS 1 for HB 83CommitteeWilson-AntonThis House Substitute No. 1 provides that if a school board allows school board members to attend meetings remotely through electronic means, then permission to attend remotely must be granted in the case of any of the following: illness of the school board member; illness of an individual in the school board member’s family where that individual requires caretaking; a public health emergency; pregnancy or immediate postpartum care responsibilities of the school board member or the school board member’s spouse or partner; or military deployment of the school board member. This substitute for House Bill No. 83 differs from the original in that it does not require school boards to allow remote attendance. But if the school board does allow remote attendance, it provides the permissible reasons remote attendance may be allowed, allows a school board to limit the number of times permission to attend remotely may be granted, and indicates that a school board may not add to the statutory reasons for remote attendance. It also expands the permissible reasons from the original bill to include pregnancy or postpartum complications of a board member’s spouse or partner. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.
SCR 54PassedPettyjohnThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 2025 as “Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month” in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING APRIL 2025 AS “LIMB LOSS AND LIMB DIFFERENCE AWARENESS MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 55PassedPettyjohnThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 18, 2025, as "National Line Worker Appreciation Day" in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING APRIL 18, 2025, AS "NATIONAL LINE WORKER APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HA 1 to HJR 2PassedNealThis Amendment to House Joint Resolution 2 adds to the required reporting requirement that DHSS shall provide a comparison of the costs and benefits of implementing the Restaurant Meals Program in some zip codes as opposed to statewide, and if the decision is that starting with tailored zip codes is preferable, the steps that will be taken to ensure statewide implementation is possible in the future. This Amendment breaks the reporting requirements into 2 clauses for readability and also corrects a typographical error.  
SCR 57PassedPooreThis concurrent resolution recognizes April 29, 2025, as "World Wish Day" in Delaware.RECOGNIZING APRIL 29, 2025, AS "WORLD WISH DAY" IN DELAWARE.
HA 2 to HB 79PassedMorrisonThis Amendment to HB 79 does the following: - Incorporates the amendments made in HA 1 into this Amendment for ease and efficiency. HA 1 added language to ensure that the law conforms to the current practice regarding school resource officer temporary absences. It also changed the effective date from August 1, 2025, to August 1, 2026, to provide the Department of Education with additional time to prepare to implement HB 79. - Adds a paragraph a. so paragraphs (c)(2)b. and (c)(2)c. can be added. - Adds paragraph (c)(2)b. which requires the Department of Education to get data that the Police Officer Standards and Training Commision collects relating to use of restraint and seclusion. - Adds paragraph (c)(2)c. which requires the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission to provide that data to the Department of Education. Paragraph (c)(2)c.2. requires the inclusion of additional information related to mechanical restraint. - This Amendment requires the Department of Education to incorporate the data it receives from the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission into the annual report required under § 4112F of Title 14.  
SCR 56PassedLockmanThis Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 17, 2025, as “Sigma Gamma Rho Day at the Capitol” in Delaware.RECOGNIZING APRIL 17, 2025, AS “SIGMA GAMMA RHO DAY AT THE CAPITOL” IN DELAWARE.

Senate Committee Assignments

Committee
Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology
Education
Elections & Government Affairs
Finance
Health & Social Services
Labor

House Committee Assignments

Committee
Appropriations
Health & Human Development
Housing
Judiciary
Labor
Revenue & Finance

Senate Committee Report

Committee
Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology
Corrections & Public Safety
Education
Elections & Government Affairs
Environment, Energy & Transportation
Executive
Health & Social Services
Judiciary

House Committee Report

Committee
Education
Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)

Senate Defeated Legislation

No Senate Defeated Legislation

House Defeated Legislation

No House Defeated Legislation

Nominations Enacted upon by the Senate

NomineeStatusCommission/BoardReappointment
Axe, Jeremie M.ConfirmedTrustee, University of Delaware Board of Trustees (Non-Gubernatorial Appointment)New
Burt, David H.ConfirmedDirector of the Board of Directors, Diamond State Port CorporationNew
Casey, John J.ConfirmedMember, Industrial Accident BoardNew
Davis, Eric M.ConfirmedPresident Judge, Superior CourtNew
Harris, Ronald E.ConfirmedDirector of the Board of Directors, Diamond State Port CorporationNew
Karasic, Meghann O'ReillyConfirmedCommissioner, Family CourtNew
Medd, Robert G.ConfirmedDirector of the Board of Directors, Diamond State Port CorporationNew
Parker, Lynne M.ConfirmedCommissioner, Superior CourtReappointment
Patibanda-Sanchez, Charuni P.ConfirmedChair of the Board of Directors, Diamond State Port CorporationNew