| HB 201 | Signed | K. Williams | This Act strengthens essential protections for victims of human trafficking by removing practical barriers that prevent victims from getting convictions or juvenile delinquency adjudications obtained as a result of being a victim of human trafficking vacated and the related criminal or juvenile records expunged.
This Act amends § 787 of Title 11 in the following ways:
(1) Requires a showing that the offense to be vacated was committed “as a result”, instead of “as a direct result”, of the victims having been trafficked, which recognizes that victims of human trafficking may engage in a range of criminal behaviors related to their exploitation.
(2) Provides that a motion to vacate and any hearing or proceeding related to the motion to vacate must remain confidential, unless the court determines good cause exists to open the proceeding, so a victim of human trafficking may seek relief without fear of revictimization.
(3) Eliminates the requirement of a mandatory hearing on a motion to vacate unless the Attorney General files a timely objection to the motion. This will allow victims to obtain relief on uncontested motions without needing to relive their trauma through questioning at a formal hearing.
(4) Clarifies that the standard of proof for determining eligibility for vacating an adjudication or conviction under § 787(j) is by a preponderance of evidence.
(5) Allows a victim to vacate a conviction or adjudication of delinquency under § 787(j) and expunge the records of that conviction or adjudication. Additionally, this Act allows the court to order immediate expungement sua sponte or on request and allows expungements to be ordered by the court deciding the motion to vacate.
(6) Establishes guidelines for the Attorney General to request an extension of time, if needed, to respond to a motion to vacate.
This Act also aligns the standards for a defense to a charge of prostitution or loitering from “as a direct result” to “as a result” of human trafficking. This matches the change made to the vacatur provisions and keeps the standards in § 787 consistent.
This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. | AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. |
| HB 269 w/ HA 1 | Signed | Burns | This Act requires that an electric supplier’s interconnection rules, for purposes of net-metering, align with the most recent version of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Model Interconnection Procedures (Procedures) within 12 months of the Procedures’ latest publishing date. | AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO NET-METERING AND INTERCONNECTION RULES. |
| SB 237 | Passed | Cruce | This bill directly responds to New Castle County Council Resolution 26-018 by expressly authorizing New Castle County Council to establish a right of tenure for New Castle County’s Assistant County Attorneys and other professional legal staff by ordinance. Like the similar rights granted to the employees of the State of Delaware Department of Justice and the City of Wilmington’s legal staff, these rights will serve to promote recruitment and retention of high-quality legal professionals, promote continuity of legal services, and further the public’s interest in the provision of independent legal advice. | AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEYS AND OTHER LEGAL PROFESSIONALS EMPLOYED WITH NEW CASTLE COUNTY. |
| HCR 115 | Passed | Lambert | This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the second annual Delaware Together Day and reaffirms Celebrate Delaware Together Day as a statewide observance that promotes unity, inclusion, and community collaboration across Delaware. | RECOGNIZING THE SECOND ANNUAL DELAWARE TOGETHER DAY AND REAFFIRMING THIS STATEWIDE OBSERVANCE THAT PROMOTES UNITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. |
| HCR 114 | Passed | Griffith | This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the month of April 2026 as “Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month” in the State of Delaware. | DESIGNATING APRIL 2026 AS “ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT CANCER AWARENESS MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. |
| HCR 111 | Passed | Snyder-Hall | This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the importance of recovery-friendly workplaces and the positive impact they have on individuals, families, employers, and communities across Delaware. It also encourages continued collaboration among employers, community organizations, and public partners to expand awareness and adoption of recovery-supportive workplace practices throughout the State. | RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOVERY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACES AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO EXPAND RECOVERY-SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. |
