Delaware Bills | MyRepTracker

passed both · Delaware · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 161: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 16 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

This Act revises Delaware law governing behavioral health treatment provider organizations by establishing a comprehensive statutory framework governing licensing, oversight, enforcement, client rights, provider duties, incident reporting, and investigations relating to behavioral health treatment services. The Act consolidates and modernizes statutory provisions governing behavioral health treatment oversight and clarifies the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health's authority to license programs, investigate incidents, and enforce compliance with this chapter. This Act is a substitute for and differs from Senate Bill No. 161 by doing all of the following: (1) Expands the definition of the protection and advocacy system to reference all applicable federal protection and advocacy statutes. (2) Revises the client rights provisions by reorganizing and clarifying the rights framework, adding rights related to discharge planning and continuing care, clarifying the standard for permissible limitations on client rights, including a requirement that any limitation be for the shortest duration feasible, and revising the standard governing the use of restrictive intervention to align with existing Delaware law. (3) Expands standing to enforce client rights to include clients and their authorized representatives in addition to the Attorney General and the protection and advocacy system. (4) Adds a savings clause clarifying that nothing in this Act abrogates the rights and requirements applicable to long-term care facilities under Chapter 11 of Title 16. (5) Adds elopement to the definition of incident for purposes of the incident reporting requirements. (6) Modifies the provisions relating to the protection and advocacy system by expanding the system's access authority to reference all applicable federal and State law, adding a requirement that the Division notify the protection and advocacy system no more than 72 hours after receiving a report of a client death, authorizing staff to make discretionary reports to the protection and advocacy system, and extending anti-retaliation protections to staff who report to or cooperate with the protection and advocacy system. (7) Adds a framework for the confidentiality of incident reports and investigation records while authorizing the Division to publish aggregate, de-identified information regarding incidents and trends across the behavioral health system. (8) Adds an injunctive relief pathway allowing the Department to seek a temporary restraining order in the Court of Chancery when a provider organization's activities create an imminent risk of substantial harm to clients. (9) Updates language throughout to reflect current person-centered terminology consistent with the preferences of the disability community. (10) Makes technical and conforming changes for clarity and consistency. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 28 of Article IV of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to create a new crime within the jurisdiction of any inferior court of this State.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Delaware · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 63: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Delaware's current fireworks laws have led to confusion among consumers and noncompliance, with individuals frequently using fireworks outside of legally permitted days. Many consumers are unaware they are breaking the law, while those who knowingly violate it face fines too low to serve as a deterrent. This results in ongoing nuisances for neighbors, increased risks of bodily harm, and heightened dangers of fires and property damage. Additionally, out-of-state retailers advertise illegal fireworks in Delaware without consequence, further misleading consumers. The absence of a registration process for fireworks retailers limits the State Fire Marshal’s ability to oversee the sale and distribution of these potentially hazardous products. This bill strengthens enforcement by increasing fines, regulating sales through a permit system, ensuring consumer awareness through required safety information, and generating revenue for the Fire Marshal’s office to improve oversight and public education. 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.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 189: ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNFAIR PRACTICES IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS.

This legislation is intended to ensure that individuals can, for a period of 15 days, rescind approval of a settlement in a personal injury case involving a motor vehicle accident if the individual was unrepresented at the time of settlement and if payment is returned upon rescission. This Act also requires notice to be given to an unrepresented individual of their right of recission in the release of liability. These changes will allow an individual greater ability to make an informed decision. This Act becomes effective on 6 months after its enactment into law. This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 189. The Act differs from Senate Bill No. 189 in that it provides a rescission period of 15 days, rather than 60 days; it refers to “motor vehicle accidents” rather than “automobile accidents”; it adds a new subsection to make clear that the insurer may withhold any future settlement proceeds until it receives confirmation that the check or settlement proceeds have been returned; and it corrects a typo.

passed both · Delaware · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 223: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS CONCERNING MENSTRUAL DISORDERS.

This 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.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Delaware · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 165: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRY NEEDLING.

This Act authorizes physician assistants, occupational therapists, and nurse practitioners to practice dry needling. This Act sets forth requirements and limitations pertaining to the practice of dry needling. Dry needling may not be performed without a physician referral, and physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and occupational therapists may not hold themselves out as acupuncturists unless they are licensed acupuncturists.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Delaware · House Jun 18, 2026

HCR 151: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE LONG-TERM PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND MODERNIZATION STRATEGIES FOLLOWING STATEWIDE REASSESSMENT.

This House Concurrent Resolution establishes a Property Tax Relief and Modernization Working Group to examine potential long-term reforms to Delaware’s property tax system following statewide reassessment efforts completed in 2024 and 2025. The Working Group will evaluate policy approaches utilized in other states, including homestead exemptions, circuit breaker programs, property tax stabilization measures, differentiated taxation approaches, assessment caps, and other taxpayer protection mechanisms, while considering impacts on local government and school district fiscal stability. The Working Group will examine the fiscal, legal, administrative, and economic implications of such reforms and produce recommendations and draft legislative language for consideration by the 154th General Assembly.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Delaware · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 477: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 7 AND 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LEAD PAINT ON OUTDOOR FACILITIES.

This Act requires that the Delaware Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act (HSCA) include facilities with lead-based paint on outdoor structures. Current DNREC regulations specifically exempts facilities where the sole contaminant is lead-based paint and the Department determines the facility is appropriately regulated and adequately addressed by another state or federal agency, statute, or regulation. By bringing these facilities under the HSCA, contaminated outdoor structures would be eligible for DNREC’s Voluntary Cleanup Program, which provides a framework to enforce the provisions of Chapter 30M of Title 16, relating to the prohibition of lead-based paint on outdoor structures. This Act also requires owners of existing structures with lead-based paint to assess the lead-based paint hazard on the owner’s structure within 2 years of the effective date of this Act. The assessment must be done by a licensed lead inspector and if a hazard is found, a report must be submitted to DHSS and DNREC and a remedial action plan must be implemented. It further clarifies that DNREC, in addition to DHSS, has enforcement authority over Chapter 30M of Title 16, relating to lead-based paint on outdoor structures.

passed both · Delaware · House Jun 18, 2026

HCR 150: ESTABLISHING A STATEWIDE PROPERTY ASSESSMENT WORKING GROUP TO PRODUCE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ESTABLISH STATE STANDARDS GOVERNING PROPERTY ASSESSMENT PRACTICES IN DELAWARE.

This House Concurrent Resolution establishes a statewide Property Assessment Working Group ("Working Group") to examine the statutory and regulatory frameworks for states that have adopted IAAO standards to inform Delaware's own quality benchmarks and operational requirements. The Working Group shall produce recommendations, ready for introduction in the 154th General Assembly, to establish State standards governing property assessment practices in Delaware.

in committee · Delaware · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 386: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTION OR CREDITS APPLICABLE TO QUALIFIED TIP INCOME.

This Act establishes the Tipped Worker Tax Relief Act to provide targeted state income tax relief to tipped workers in Delaware. It creates a subtraction from income of up to $15,000 of qualified tips. The program sunsets the end of 2029 unless renewed. This legislation promotes fairness, supports workforce retention in the small business community, and addresses affordability challenges without new taxes or mandates on employers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Delaware · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 369: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.

This Act codifies Executive Order No. 9 issued on May 1, 2025, by Governor Matthew Meyer regarding the establishment, within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Delaware · House Jun 17, 2026

HJR 12: ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MODERNIZE DELAWARE’S PROCUREMENT, GRANTMAKING, AND CONTRACTING PRACTICES WITH CONTRACTED SERVICE PROVIDERS.

This House Joint Resolution establishes the Delaware Task Force on Procurement and Contracting Modernization. It also requires the Task Force to submit a report by September 30, 2027, with its findings and recommendations and any recommended legislation to improve Delaware’s procurement, grantmaking, and contracting practices.

passed both · Delaware · House Jun 17, 2026

HCR 144: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING STRATEGIC PLANS FOR THE REPURPOSING OF UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES AND STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS TO MEET COMMUNITY AND WORKFORCE NEEDS.

This House Concurrent Resolution requests strategic plans and a framework for the potential repurposing of underutilized public school facilities and state-owned buildings to meet community and workforce needs.

Topics ✓ Education