Daily Report for 5/5/2026

Governor's Actions

No legislation is Signed by Governor Today

New Legislation Introduced

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
SCR 179PassedLawsonThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 2026 as "Healthy Vision Month" in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING MAY 2026 AS "HEALTHY VISION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HB 397CommitteeShupeThis Act requires the State Treasurer to annually report public officer travel-related expenses paid for by the State.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STATE TREASURER REPORTING OF STATE PAYMENTS FOR STATE PUBLIC OFFICER TRAVEL-RELATED EXPENSES.
HCR 122CommitteeS. MooreThis House Concurrent Resolution establishes the Early Childhood Education Solutions Task Force to study and make findings and recommendations regarding a model of mixed-delivery, non-compulsory public pre-K that covers all 3- and 4-year-olds in this State by 2035.ESTABLISHING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SOLUTIONS TASK FORCE.
SA 1 to SB 141PassedWalshThis amendment aligns Delaware law with other state statutes that permit 12 auctions per calendar year and do not distinguish between in-person and online auctions. 
SB 299CommitteeRichardsonThis Act creates a new tax credit in the amount of $15,000 for Delaware residents, applicable to overtime paid under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act for compensation paid to workers that work over 40 hours in a week. The credit phases out for resident individuals earning $125,000 and joint filers earning $250,000, and is fully phased out for individuals earning $150,000 and joint filers earning $300,000. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PERSONAL INCOME TAX CREDITS APPLICABLE TO OVERTIME INCOME.
HB 405CommitteeCarsonThis Act provides an exemption from state income tax for the amount of income or compensation received for federally required annual training, drills and field exercises, or inactive duty training by an individual who is a member of the National Guard or a reserve component of the Uniformed Services of the U.S. The bill’s provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO A TAX EXEMPTION FOR NATIONAL GUARD AND UNIFORMED SERVICES OF THE UNITED STATES RESERVE MEMBERS.
HB 401CommitteeLynnThis Act establishes "The Delaware Hemp Regulation Act" under Title 4 of the Delaware Code to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for the sale, distribution, and consumption of hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) in the State. It authorizes the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) to issue retail licenses for off-premises consumption of HDCPs. The Act implements age-verification requirements, limiting access to individuals 21 years of age or older, and mandates security and zoning standards for all licensed premises. Furthermore, it requires all HDCPs to undergo potency and contaminant testing by accredited laboratories and establishes strict labeling requirements to prevent products from appealing to children. To ensure compliance, the Act empowers the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) and the OMC to conduct inspections and provides for the immediate embargo or destruction of noncompliant products. This Act imposes a 6% excise tax on the retail sales of all HDCPs. The Act takes effect immediately and must be implemented within one year of enactment or upon the publication of final regulations by the OMC. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 11 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 impose or levy a tax or license fee. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF HEMP PRODUCTS.
HB 402CommitteeHeffernanThis Act extends the Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit Program annual fees for facilities in Delaware, which have historically expired and been reauthorized by the General Assembly every 3 years. Existing statutory authorization to collect fees sunsets December 31, 2026. This legislation updates the fee assessments based on the work of the Title V Operating Permit Program Advisory Committee and makes additional clarifying updates. For 2027-2029, the total fee will be comprised of a base fee, user fee, and a program fee. Base fees are based on the number of staff hours spent on the source’s permitting, compliance, and enforcement activities, while the user fee is based on the source’s air emissions. The program fee will be assessed based on the total base and user fees. This Act authorizes the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to collect Title V annual fees for calendar years 2027 through 2029 at which point the authority sunsets and would need to be reauthorized. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE CLEAN AIR ACT TITLE V OPERATING PERMIT PROGRAM.
HA 1 to HB 396PWBNealThis Amendment specifies that this Act applies to businesses with more than 20 locations in Delaware as opposed to more than 20 locations globally. This Act further clarifies that establishments that sell alcohol, including bars and bars in restaurants, are exempt. 
HA 1 to HB 337PassedOrtegaThis Amendment corrects a WHEREAS clause to show that spina bifida affects 6.8% of Hispanic, 4.1% of Black, and 1.4% of White babies per 10,000 live births instead of 100,000. This Amendment also removes the specific fine amount of $500.00 and replaces that with the statutory code provision 16 Del. C. §134 (c) that lists the amount that the Department of Health and Social Services will charge for a reinspection fee. This Amendment further makes a change to recommend, rather than require, a folic acid level of 0.4 milligrams of folic acid per pound of wet corn masa end product.  
SB 301CommitteePinkneyThis Act requires that a hospital create a discharge plan if a pregnant patient who is experiencing signs or symptoms consistent with labor is discharged before delivery. This requirement to create a discharge plan applies to patients discharged from either in-patient treatment or observation status and must contain all of the following: 1. Aftercare instructions and guidelines and that these instructions and guidelines were explained to the patient, patient’s agent, or patient’s lay caregiver. 2. An assessment of travel distance and time between the primary residence of the patient and the hospital. 3. Verification of reliable transportation between the primary residence of the patient and the hospital. 4. Identification of a back-up hospital or facility at which the patient may obtain labor and delivery services. This Act is modeled on the Women Expansion of Learning and Labor Safety or WELLS Act, H.R. 7830, which was introduced in Congress on March 5, 2026. The WELLS Act is named after Mercedes Wells, a Black woman who was forced to give birth on the side of the road minutes after being discharged from a hospital while in active labor. Under existing law, Chapter 30J of Title 16 provides discharge planning requirements when a patient is being discharged home after admission to a hospital. The requirements under this Act are in addition to, but can be combined with, these existing discharge planning requirements if the patient being discharged is pregnant and experiencing signs or symptoms consistent with labor. This Act also renames and reorganizes Chapter 30J of Title 16 by making existing law Subchapter I and creating a new Subchapter II with the requirements under this Act. As such, this Act makes corresponding changes to existing law to change references to Chapter 30J to the new subchapter.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HOSPITAL DISCHARGE PLANS FOR PREGNANT PATIENTS.

Legislation Passed By Senate

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 197 w/ HA 1PassedGriffithThis Act expands the definition of a “course of conduct” in the stalking statute and also provides that if the court finds as a matter of law that acts subject to this statute are in fact constitutionally protected activities, then all evidence associated with those activities must be excluded. This Act raises stalking under § 1312(c) from a class F to a class D felony. And also raises stalking under § 1312 (b) from a class G to a class E felony. 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 STALKING.
HB 254PassedMorrisonThis Act changes the name of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Division of People and Culture. Renaming the division from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to People and Culture signifies a broader, more comprehensive approach to cultivating an inclusive and engaging workplace. The new designation underscores the focus on the overall employee experience, organizational culture, and people-centered initiatives. This change positions the division as a key contributor to both cultural development and organizational success.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
HJR 9PassedLynnThis Joint Resolution extends the reporting date of the Driving Under the Influence Prevention Task Force from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027.EXTENDING THE REPORTING DATE OF THE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE PREVENTION TASK FORCE
SB 259 w/ SA 1CommitteePooreThis Act proposes modifications to the in-building regulations regarding bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs).  Currently, buildings that are modified or renovated to exceed 25,000 square feet are not required to meet the GAT (Grid Acceptance Test) at 95% compliance for 800 MHz public safety in-building communications coverage, as is required for new buildings.  In some cases, contractors are tearing down all but one exterior wall and rebuilding which has drawn concern from Division of Communications.  The BDA helps to maintain quality in-building communications and to prevent “dead zone” areas so emergency public safety personnel can communicate during a response to an emergency situation.  This Act also removes language pertaining to an advisor committee that is no longer needed. The Act also removes the requirement that the Department of Safety and Homeland Security publish a map of buildings with these communication technologies due to safety concerns. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 AND TITLE 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
SB 263Out of CommitteeSokolaThis Act adds minor league baseball players to the existing exemptions from state minimum wage and recordkeeping standards. After minor league players formed a union in 2022, minor league players represented by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) signed their first collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2023. This exemption actualizes that existing collective bargaining agreement between the players union and MLB. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LABOR.
SB 267CommitteeBrownWith only minor modifications consistent with Delaware law and practice, this Act adopts the Uniform Assignment for Benefit of Creditors Act (the “Uniform Act”), authored by the Uniform Law Commission. The Uniform Law Commission “provides states with non-partisan, well-conceived and well-drafted legislation that brings clarity and stability to critical areas of state statutory law.” The Uniform Act was approved by the Uniform Law Commission in October 2025 and, as of March 2026, has been enacted in Nebraska and Utah and introduced in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, and Oklahoma. Because this Act adopts the Uniform Act with only minor modifications, the “Comments” to the Uniform Act may be deemed to be persuasive authority in interpreting this Act; provided, however, that the second and third sentences of the Comment to Section 2 of the Uniform Act shall instead be deemed to read as follows: “If an asset is not assignable by its terms or under other law, that asset is not part of the assignment estate unless either any required consent is obtained or other law overrides the anti-assignment provision. This Uniform Act does not preclude the assignee from negotiating with any person whose consent is required for an assignment to obtain its consent for the assignment of an asset.” This Act provides for the use of an assignment for benefit of creditors (an “ABC”), which is an efficient and flexible state law mechanism to wind up a distressed business. Although the use of an ABC to liquidate the assets of a failing business is rooted in the common law, the various states have significant differences in their statutes or common law of ABCs and Delaware’s statute has few details, was enacted many decades ago, and has not subsequently been revised. This inconsistency and lack of detail leads to significant variance throughout the country in the utility of ABCs and the frequency with which ABCs are used. This Act addresses this gap in the law by cementing the common law in statute and providing updates that modernize the law and provide clarity to assignors, assignees, and creditors alike. In an ABC, a financially distressed business, called an “assignor,” transfers control of all of its assets to an “assignee,” who acts as a fiduciary for the business’s creditors. The assignee liquidates the business’s assets and distributes the proceeds to the business’s creditors. These proceeds go towards payment of the creditors’ claims against the assignor. This Act creates a state law alternative to other procedures available to the assignor for winding up its business and provides benefits that are not available through a federal bankruptcy case or a state or federal law receivership. In many cases, an ABC will be more flexible, quicker, and less costly than the other alternatives. An ABC may be an improvement on these alternatives in certain situations in significant ways: (1) it is debtor-initiated; (2) it provides assurances to creditors by imposing fiduciary duties upon the assignee; (3) it aims to maximize the value of the business’s assets for the benefit of all creditors; and (4) it encourages cooperation between the distressed business and the creditors by aligning these parties’ goals. This Act’s roadmap for ABCs clearly establishes: (1) The persons eligible to be assignors and the qualifications for assignees; (2) The relationship between an ABC under this Act and existing federal and state statutes, including the Bankruptcy Code; (3) The contents of the assignment agreement; (4) The effect of an ABC on the assignor’s property interests and the procedure for conveying those assets to the assignee; (5) Procedures for notifying creditors of the ABC and the implications of the opt-out decision; (6) Duties and powers of the assignor and assignee, including limitations on liability; (7) A process for allowing and disputing claims; (8) A waterfall for the distribution of proceeds to secured and unsecured creditors and payment of expenses incurred by the assignee; (9) Procedures for winding up the assignment estate; (10) The extent of recognition of out-of-state transactions and appointment of an ancillary assignee for administration of out-of-state assets; and (11) That a conveyance by an assignor or assignee for the benefit of the assignor’s creditors under this Act is not subject to this State’s realty transfer tax. This Act is intended to replace Delaware’s current ABC law, resulting in the repeal of the current law under Sections 2 through 8 of this Act and provision, under Section 9 of this Act, for the continued application of the current law for existing ABCs made before the effective date of this Act. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 AND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNIFORM ASSIGNMENT FOR BENEFIT OF CREDITORS ACT.
SB 268CommitteeBrownThis Act provides the following support for federal workers during a government shutdown: (1) In Section 1 of this Act, interest free loans to provide financial assistance. (2) In Section 2 of this Act, free transportation on public transit. (3) In Sections 3 through 6 of this Act, deferral of certain State, county, and school tax filings, payments, and collections.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 2, TITLE 9, TITLE 19, AND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL WORKERS AFFECTED BY A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
SB 275 w/ SA 1CommitteePooreThis Act updates and clarifies the Underground Utility Damage Prevention and Safety Act (UUDPSA), which dates from the mid-1990s. Specifically, the Act clarifies the obligations of facility owners and facility operators, which the Act defines as the person or entity that owns, operates, or controls an underground or submerged conductor, pipe, or structure used to provide electric or communications service, or an underground or submerged pipe used to carry, provide, or gather gas, oil, sewage, water, or other liquid service. Under the Act, in addition to their existing obligations under the UUDPSA, facility owners and facility operators must respond to requests from an excavator concerning the location of their facilities within 3 business days after receipt of the request, and must provide information to the excavator via the Owner/Operator/Excavator Information Exchange System, which is an interactive system that facilitates communication for that purpose. In addition, "designers," meaning an architect, engineer, or other person who prepares or issues a drawing for a construction or other project requiring excavation or demolition work, are required to meet with a facility owner or facility operator who requests more information on the scope of a project and to make reasonable efforts to prepare construction drawings in a way that avoids damage and minimizes interference with facilities in the construction area. "Excavators," meaning any person proposing to engage in excavation or demolition work, must ascertain the location and type of facilities by contacting the Owner/Operator/Excavator Information Exchange System, and may not begin excavation until a positive response code of "clear" or "no conflict" or "marked" is received from each facility owner or facility operator through the Owner/Operator/Excavator Information System. In the event of an emergency that the excavator discovers or creates, the excavator must immediately notify the occupants of the premises, and, in the event of damage to a facility by the excavator resulting in the escape of a flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid, or other event that poses a danger to life, health or property, the excavator must immediately notify 911 and the facility owner or facility operator. The excavator is required to exercise due care and take all reasonable steps to avoid injury or interference with facilities, and, in the case of a complex project, to meet with the facility owner or facility operator or their agents before construction begins. The Utilities Service Protection Center of Delmarva, Inc. is required to provide for the approved notification center that, among other things, receives and records information regarding the location of facility owners' and facility operators' facilities within the State and notice by excavators and designers of intended excavation and demolition activity and notifies facility owners and facility operators of the information received from excavators and designers. A facility owner's or facility operator's failure to perform an act required under the UUDPSA is subject to a civil penalty of up to $1 million, for violations that result in a death; up to $500,000 for violations causing damage to a structure, and up to $100,000 for all other violations. For all violations other than those resulting in death or damage to a structure, the Public Service Commission of Delaware may determine that training provided by the approved notification center may be substituted in lieu of a civil penalty. The imposition of a civil penalty does not prevent any party from obtaining civil damages for personal injury or property damage in a private action. Civil penalties will be used by the approved notification center for public awareness programs, training and education programs for members and violators of the UUDPSA, improvements to the approved notification center, or to reduce the cost to members of the approved notification center. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY DAMAGE PREVENTION AND SAFETY ACT.
SB 281 w/ SA 1CommitteeParadeeThe Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), through the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), operates the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI), a Long-Term Care (LTC) facility in Smyrna, Delaware. DHCI is a facility of last resort for Delawareans that require a skilled nursing facility level of care and have no viable options for private nursing facility care. The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill’s name no longer reflects the dignity of all residents who live there. The existing statute uses outdated and offensive language, often referring to residents as “inmates.” It does not align with current policies and procedures around operation and maintenance of DHCI or the skilled care, screening, and admission of its residents, nor does it recognize DHCI’s role as a skilled nursing facility that maintains a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This bill provides a technical update to reflect DHCI’s current practices, policies and procedures as a LTC facility of last resort. It strikes outdated language and aligns the statute with current DHCI, state, CMS practices and requirements. Finally, this bill renames the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill to the Eleanor Cain Center. It will be named in honor of Eleanor Lee Cain, who served as the DSAAPD director from 1973 to 2001 and was a champion for older adults.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TECHNICAL UPDATES FOR THE DELAWARE HOSPITAL FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL.
SB 18 w/ SA 1CommitteeMantzavinosThis Act repeals the existing Chapter 23 of Title 5 and replaces it with the “Delaware Money Transmission and Virtual Currency Modernization Act.” This Act modernizes the State’s regulatory framework for money transmission and addresses the emergence of virtual currency. The Act allows the State Bank Commissioner to coordinate with other states in the licensing and supervision of money transmitters, utilizing the NMLS system. The Act establishes new safety and soundness standards, including a tiered net worth requirement based on total assets and updates surety bond requirements scaled to a licensee’s average daily money transmission liability. The Act standardizes receipt requirements for both fiat and virtual currency transactions, provides a 10-day refund window for certain transmissions, and establishes specific disclosure rules for payroll processing services. This Act provides a 6-month window for general compliance and a 1-year period for licensees to meet new net worth and permissible investment standards. This Act creates new regulatory framework for virtual currency business activity. It defines virtual currency and virtual currency business activity. It mandates specific consumer disclosures regarding the risks of virtual currency and establishes that virtual currency held by a licensee is a pro rata property interest not subject to the claims of the licensee’s creditors. The Act allows the Commissioner to adopt rules and regulations for the administration of this chapter. The Act is to be implemented the earlier of 1 year from the date of the Act’s enactment or notice from the State Banking Commissioner that final regulations have been promulgated. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article IX of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend the general corporation law. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 5 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MONEY TRANSMISSION.
SA 1 to SB 281PassedParadeeThis Amendment removes the requirement for admission to the Eleanor Cain Center that an applicant be refused from all private long-term care facilities in Delaware. 
SA 1 to SB 259PassedPooreThis amendment adds definitions for the terms “modified” and “renovated”. This amendment also adds an effective date of February 1, 2027. 
SA 1 to SB 275PassedPooreThis Amendment provides that penalties associated with the Act are issued by the Public Service Commission and cannot be transferred to a non-state entity. The Commission will coordinate with Delmarva 811 on education and public awareness programs to the mutual benefit of both organizations and the public.  
SA 1 to SB 18PassedMantzavinosThis Amendment clarifies the scope of “payroll processing services” by excluding certain designated agents of a payor. It further clarifies that securities broker-dealers, broker-dealer agents, investment advisers, and investment adviser representatives are exempt from registration under this chapter. 
HCR 116PassedMinor-BrownThis House Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 5th as International Midwives Day and honors the legacy and importance of midwives in Delaware.A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MAY 5TH AS INTERNATIONAL MIDWIVES DAY AND HONORING THE LEGACY AND IMPORTANCE OF MIDWIVES IN DELAWARE.
HCR 121PassedMinor-BrownThis House Concurrent Resolution recognizes the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as “National Hospital Week” in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF MAY 10 THROUGH MAY 16, 2026, AS "NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Passed By House of Representatives

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
SB 26PassedBrownUnder current Delaware law, if a labor dispute constitutes a lockout, employees who meet all other eligibility requirements qualify for unemployment benefits from the date they file their claim. However, if a labor dispute does not constitute a lockout, employees do not qualify for (i.e. are disqualified from receiving) unemployment benefits. This Act changes the law to allow an employee who is subject to a labor dispute, other than a lockout, to collect unemployment benefits after a 2-week waiting period, if the employee meets all the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits, including being able and available for work and completing weekly job requirements. This Act provides that the 2-week waiting period established by this Act is waived if one or both of the following apply: (1) The labor dispute is caused by the failure or refusal of the employer to comply with an agreement or contract between the employer and the individual, including a collective bargaining agreement with a union representing the individual, or a State or federal law pertaining to hours, wages, or other conditions of work. (2) The employer hires a permanent replacement worker for the individual's position. The Department of Labor may impose a penalty on an employer who fraudulently certifies the ability of an employee to return to the employee’s prior position on conclusion of the labor dispute. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.
HB 223CommitteeK. JohnsonThis Act requires the Department of Health and Social Services, in conjunction with the Department of Education, to develop or obtain informational materials concerning menstrual disorders to be provided upon request to school districts for purposes of educating students about menstrual disorders and their symptoms, and to ensure at least every 2 years the effectiveness of the information, that the information is up-to-date, and that any electronic links provided to access information and links contained therein are valid. The materials and information must be made available on a website maintained by the Department. Schools must, at a minimum, put posters containing the URL to the website maintained by the Department where the materials and information can be found, and may also distribute materials and information directly or provide students with flyers containing URLs, QR codes, or other links from which the students may access the information.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS CONCERNING MENSTRUAL DISORDERS.
HB 263CommitteeK. WilliamsThis Act removes the Department of Education from the process related to funding for apprenticeships, as this is administered through the Department of Labor. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.
HB 267 w/ HA 1CommitteeK. WilliamsThis Act provides that each school district and charter school must report three times a year, instead of annually, to the Department of Education, the number and percentage of students, disaggregated by grade and by individual school, identified with a potential reading deficiency, including characteristics of dyslexia, pursuant to mandated literary screening, and the literacy intervention approaches being provided. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO READING COMPETENCY.
HB 310CommitteeHeffernan This Act excludes large energy use facilities from the definition of a qualified facility for purposes of determining eligibility for a tax credit or license fee reduction for the creation of employment and qualified investment in business facilities.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO BUSINESS TAX CREDITS AND DEDUCTIONS.
HB 306 w/ HA 1, HA 3CommitteeRomerThis Act makes it an unlawful practice to engage in a commercial transaction with a consumer who interacts with computer technology, under circumstances where a reasonable person would believe that person is engaging with an actual human, without notifying the consumer that the consumer is communicating with a computer and not a human being. It provides a private right of action for damages. It provides that a violation is an unlawful practice and prohibited trade practice. It permits the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief and a civil penalty of not more than $5 million dollars for violations. This Act is effective 180 days after its enactment into law. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE REGARDING COMMUNICATION WITH A COMPUTER.
SB 248PassedPooreThis Act makes updates to the Delaware workplace safety program to increase the workers’ compensation insurance credit that businesses can access while maintaining overall program stability. Past legislation that adjusted Workplace Safety Program parameters led to the filing of a new Experience Rating Plan by Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau, which inadvertently resulted in lower discounts. Most businesses with lower-than-average claim costs, regardless of size, continue to see reductions in their experience modification factors. The Workplace Safety Program credit and the experience modification factor savings result in a similar savings as before for employers with favorable loss history. However, this was not the intention of prior law. This Act ensures that companies can reach maximum premium savings of 12%.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO WORKPLACE SAFETY PROGRAM.
SB 250PassedPinkneyThis Act adopts the 2017 updates to the Uniform Parentage Act ("Uniform Act") authored by the Uniform Law Commission. Delaware 's current law related to parentage is based on the Uniform Law Commission's 2000 version of the Uniform Parentage Act. The Uniform Law Commission’s website states that it “provides states with non-partisan, well-conceived and well-drafted legislation that brings clarity and stability to critical areas of state statutory law.” The 2017 updates to the Uniform Act have been adopted by 11 states and is pending before the Pennsylvania state legislature. This Act, through the adoption of the Uniform Act, does all of the following: (1) Removes gendered terms throughout this Act to ensure equal treatment of children born to same-sex couples. In Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584 (2015), the U.S. Supreme Court held that laws barring marriage between two people of the same sex are unconstitutional. And, in Pavan v. Smith, 137 S. Ct. 2075, 2078-79 (2017), the U.S. Supreme Court held that a state may not deny married same-sex couples recognition on their children’s birth certificates that the state grants to married different-sex couples. After these decision, parentage laws that treat same-sex couples differently than different-sex couples may be unconstitutional. These changes are also consistent with Delaware’s efforts to write laws using gender silent language unless a solely masculine or feminine term is required to apply a law to 1 gender. See § 211(c) of Title 1 of the Delaware Code. Specifically, these changes include broadening the provisions of Delaware’s parentage law related to the presumption of parentage (Section 11 of this Act), acknowledgment of parentage (Sections 12 through 26 of this Act), genetic testing (Sections 41 through 52 of this Act), and assisted reproduction (Sections 82 through 89 of this Act) to make them gender neutral. (2) Includes a provision for the establishment of a de facto parent as a legal parent of a child. A de facto parent is one who functions as a parent to the child but is unconnected through biology or marriage. This is not a change for Delaware, which has recognized de facto parents in Delaware’s definition of parent in Delaware’s parentage law since 2010. This Act moves the process for establishing de facto parentage to § 8-609 of Title 13 (Section 62 of this Act) to be part of the provisions related to adjudicating parentage, as establishing de facto parentage requires a judicial determination. (3) Updates the assisted reproduction provisions of Delaware’s parentage law, including the parental status of a deceased individual addressing issues similar to those raised by Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 119 (153rd General Assembly). Specifically, the Uniform Act would treat a deceased individual as a parent of a child conceived by assisted reproduction if the embryo is in utero not later than 36 months after the individual’s death or the child was born not later than 45 months after the individual’s death and if one of the following apply: a. The individual consented in a record to be a parent if assisted reproduction occurs after the individual’s death. b. The individual’s intent to be a parent after the individual’s death is established by clear-and-convincing evidence. (4) Updates the surrogacy provisions of Delaware’s parentage law to reflect recent scientific, legal, and cultural developments in surrogacy practice (See Section 90 of this Act). Delaware’s parentage law currently includes a gestational carrier law and this Act continues that law and adds procedures related to a genetic carrier, which is an individual who is not an intended parent but becomes pregnant through assisted reproduction using the individual’s own gamete. Specifically, §§ 8-801 through 8-807 establish the rules that apply to both types of carrier agreements. Sections 8-808 through 8-813 includes the current rules that apply to gestational carrier agreements. Sections 8-814 through 8-821 adopts the Uniform Act’s rules that apply to genetic carrier agreements. (5) Adopts requirements and procedures regarding access to non-identifying medical history and identifying information regarding gamete providers by children born through assisted reproduction and their parents. Based on data from 2015, the CDC reports that “approximately 1.6% of all infants born in the United States every year are conceived using ART.” Data suggests that this percentage continues to increase. Gaia Bernstein, Unintended Consequences: Prohibitions on Gamete Donor Anonymity and the Fragile Practice of Surrogacy, 10 Ind. Health L. Rev. 291, 298 (2013) (noting that “from 2004 to 2008 the number of IVF cycles used for gestational surrogacy grew by 60%, the number of births by gestational surrogates grew by 53% and the number of babies born to gestational surrogates grew by 89%”). Accordingly, it is increasingly important for states to address these issues. The Uniform Act specifically does the following: a. Requires gamete banks and fertility clinics to collect and retain both identifying information and nonidentifying medical history about gamete donors. b. Requires gamete banks and fertility centers to provide non-identifying medical history to parents on request at any time and on request by the donor-conceived child who attains 18 years of age. c. With regard to identifying information, provides that a gamete bank or fertility center shall provide this information to the donor conceived child who attains 18 years of age on their request. (6) Makes technical corrections that conform existing law to current standards of legislative drafting, consistent with the Uniform Act and the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. (7) Consolidates or transfers existing provisions of Delaware’s Parentage Act to ensure logical organization of the law consistent with the Uniform Act, including the following: a. Definitions related to genetic testing, which are transferred from § 8-102 to § 8-501 (Section 41 of this Act). b. Provisions related to genetic testing, which are transferred to § 8-503(e) and (h) (Section 43 of this Act) from § 8-622 (Section 70 of this Act). c. Provisions related to the admissibility of results of genetic testing, which are transferred to § 8-606 (Section 59 of this Act) from § 8-621 (Section 69 of this Act). d. Provisions adjudicating parentage of a child with an alleged genetic parent, which are transferred to § 8-607 (Section 60 of this Act) from §§ 8-622, 8-623, 8-631, and 8-634 (regarding adjudicating parentage by default) (Sections 70, 71, 73, and 76 of this Act). e. Provisions adjudicating parentage of a child with a presumed parent, which are transferred to § 8-608 (Section 61 of this Act) from § 8-607 (Section 60 of this Act). f. Provisions adjudicating parentage of a child with an acknowledged parent, which are transferred to § 8-610 (Section 63 of this Act) from § 8-609 (Section 62 of this Act). g. Provisions adjudicating parentage of a child with an adjudicated parent, which are transferred to § 8-611 (Section 64 of this Act) from § 8-609 (Section 62 of this Act). h. Provisions adjudicating parentage of a child with an acknowledged parent, which are transferred to § 8-610 (Section 63 of this Act) from § 8-609 (Section 62 of this Act). i. Provisions related to issuing temporary orders, which are transferred to § 8-615 (Section 67 of this Act) from § 8-609 (Section 62 of this Act). j. Provisions related to combining proceedings, which are transferred to § 8-616 (Section 67 of this Act) from § 8-610 (Section 63 of this Act). k. Provisions related to proceedings before birth, which are transferred to § 8-617 (Section 67 of this Act) from § 8-611 (Section 64 of this Act). l. Provisions related to the child being a party and representated, which are transferred to § 8-618 (Section 67 of this Act) from § 8-612 (Section 65 of this Act). m. Provisions related to the court adjudicating parentage, which are transferred to § 8-619 (Section 67 of this Act) from § 8-632 (Section 74 of this Act). n. Provisions related to dismissal for want of prosecution, which are transferred to § 8-621 (Section 69 of this Act) from § 8-635 (Section 77 of this Act). o. Provisions related to orders adjudicating parentage, which are transferred to § 8-622 (Section 70 of this Act) from § 8-636 (Section 78 of this Act). p. Provisions related to the binding effect of a determination of parentage, which are transferred to § 8-623 (Section 71 of this Act) from § 8-637 (Section 79 of this Act). q. Miscellaneous provisions currently in subchapter IX which are transferred to subchapter X to allow for the inclusion of new provisions related to information about donors of gametes or embryos intended for use in assisted reproduction. (8) In Sections 98 through 125 of this Act, makes changes to conform existing law to the changes made by the Uniform Act. The majority of these changes ensure consistent usage of terms and definitions used by the Uniform Act.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10, TITLE 13, AND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PARENTAGE ACT.
HB 326 w/ HA 1CommitteeMorrisonThis Act increases the penalty when an individual commits theft by impersonating a family member of the victim. A person convicted of a violation of this section shall be imprisoned for not less than 60 days. The minimum sentence under this section may not be suspended.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THEFT BY IMPERSONATION OF A FAMILY MEMBER.
HA 1 to HB 267PassedK. WilliamsThis Amendment to House Bill No. 267 removes the mid-year reporting requirement, although the removal of the mid-year reporting does not diminish the importance of reviewing mid-year data at the local level. It also adds "Longitudinal data analysis for each district and charter school of the data collected in the October 31 and June 30 submissions" to the annual reporting requirements of the Department of Education. Finally, it makes the annual report from the DOE due on or before August 30th , rather than December 31st.  
HB 347CommitteeK. WilliamsThis Act removes a requirement for a parent to provide a birth certificate as part of the uniform public school registration process. A parent may instead provide other proof of age or date of birth.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PUBLIC SCHOOL REGISTRATION PROCESS.
HB 346CommitteeMorrison This Act updates Delaware laws relating to Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) prevention and control, much of which are outdated and do not reflect current research and medical practice. To that end, this Act does the following: (1) Clarifies that Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are to be treated in the same manner as STDs. (2) Removes the requirement that reportable STDs be reported to DPH within 1 working day. (3) Repeals the provision permitting the Director of DPH to examine a person suspected of being infected with an STD and to order that person to isolate or quarantine. (4) Repeals the provision relating to apprehending, committing, mandating treatment, and quarantine of an infected person. (5) Repeals the provision permitting the Director to bring an action in the Justice of the Peace Court when a person suspected of having an STD presents an imminent danger to public health. (6) Removes the provisions concerning the DOC and DPH isolating or quarantining persons with suspected or known STDs. (7) Provides that health care providers must provide STD and STI testing, but that a pregnant person may refuse testing. Documentation of refusal must be retained in the patient’s medical record along with documentation of test counseling. (8) Repeals the provision permitting a DPH investigator without a medical license to withdraw blood for test purposes. (9) Makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL.
HB 357CommitteeRoss LevinThis Act updates § 503 of Title 13 by replacing the outdated term “poor person” with the term, “a person unable to financially support oneself”. This language change is a technical change to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. In addition, this Act clarifies that § 503 of the Title 13, relating to the duty to support a person unable to financially support oneself (formerly “poor person”), includes the duty to a support an adult child with a disability that cannot support oneself. This duty is articulated in H. v. V., 2018 Del. Fam. Ct. LEXIS 4, where the Family Court found that a parent of a 22 year-old adult child diagnosed with severe autism was statutorily obligated to provide support to the adult child. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 10 AND 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DUTY TO SUPPORT POOR PERSONS.
HB 359CommitteeNealThis Act permits the State to bury or cremate an unclaimed body or remains of an indigent individual without requiring written consent of the next of kin or other legally responsible party. This statutory change will reduce costs, conserve cemetery space, and reduce environmental impacts by limiting formaldehyde exposure in the soil. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN REMAINS.
SCR 170PassedHuxtableThis Resolution recognizes the month of April 2026 as "National Donate Life Month" in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026 AS "NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HA 1 to HB 326PassedMorrisonThis Amendment removes the conviction penalty and sentencing requirements for this crime from the bill, leaving it to the discretion of the courts.  
SCR 174PassedWilsonThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 27 to May 2, 2026, as "Auctioneers Week" in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING APRIL 27 TO MAY 2, 2026, AS "AUCTIONEERS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 175PassedPooreThis concurrent resolution recognizes April 29, 2026, as "World Wish Day" in Delaware.RECOGNIZING APRIL 29, 2026, AS "WORLD WISH DAY" IN DELAWARE.
SCR 176PassedPooreThis concurrent resolution recognizes April 25th, 2026, as "Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Day" in Delaware and encourages all Delawareans, particularly those living with diabetes, to prioritize regular comprehensive eye examinations and screening for diabetic eye disease as an essential part of their health care.RECOGNIZING APRIL 25TH, 2026, AS "DIABETIC RETINOPATHY SCREENING DAY" IN DELAWARE.
HA 1 to HB 306PassedRomerThis Amendment to House Bill No. 306 provides a safe harbor, which provides that a person is not in violation of the Act if, at the beginning of each interactive session, the person states, in a clear and conspicuous manner, “You are interacting with a computer, not a human.”  
SCR 177PassedPettyjohnThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 18, 2026, as "National Line Worker Appreciation Day" in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING APRIL 18, 2026, AS "NATIONAL LINE WORKER APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 178PassedBrownThis Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 5, 2026, as “Alpha Phi Alpha Legislative Day at the Capitol” in Delaware. It honors Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated as an organization that has provided a voice and a strong vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color in the State of Delaware and around the world.RECOGNIZING MAY 5, 2026, AS "ALPHA PHI ALPHA LEGISLATIVE DAY AT THE CAPITOL" IN DELAWARE.
HA 3 to HB 306PassedLynnHouse Amendment 3 to House Bill 306 clarifies that the amount of damages able to be awarded in a cause of action under the Act is either 1) the amount of actual damages or 2) statutory damages of $1,000, whichever is greater.  

Senate Committee Assignments

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

House Committee Assignments

Committee
Administration
Appropriations
Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce
Education
Natural Resources & Energy
Revenue & Finance

Senate Committee Report

Committee
Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology
Corrections & Public Safety
Education
Environment, Energy & Transportation
Health & Social Services

House Committee Report

Committee
Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce
Public Safety & Homeland Security

Senate Defeated Legislation

No Senate Defeated Legislation

House Defeated Legislation

No House Defeated Legislation

Nominations Enacted upon by the Senate

No Records