Delaware Bills

in committee · Delaware · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 262: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT.

Kratom is an herb derived from a leafy Southeast Asia tree, known formally as Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom contains two psychoactive compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroximitragynine. Both compounds can bind to opioid receptors in the brain and produce a pharmacological response similar to the effects of other opioids, such as morphine, and can lead to addiction. An estimated 11 to 15 million Americans consume Kratom regularly. According to a 2025 study by the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association, 24 states and the District of Columbia regulate kratom or its components in some manner. In six states (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia, kratom’s psychoactive components are considered controlled substances. In 18 states, the possession, sale, manufacture, etc. of kratom products is regulated. A Center for Disease Control analysis found that kratom was implicated in 846 fatal overdose cases across 30 states and the District of Columbia in 2022. Other reports suggest over 2,000 fatal overdoses have been linked to kratom since 2021. This Act amends Delaware’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The Act defines “Kratom” and “Kratom Products”. The Act makes it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, sell, offer to sell, or possess with intent to sell a Kratom Product. This Substitute differs from the original bill in that it fits kratom into the Uniform Controlled Substances Act by specifying tier quantities for drug offenses that result in the classification of the charge under the existing criminal framework. It moves to the definition of "kratom products" any product that contains the active ingredients of kratom, regardless of whether the product is represented, labeled, or marketed as “kratom” or not. It removes criminal charges for simple possession by an individual, and it clarifies that manufacturing, selling, or delivery of kratom or similar products is subject to criminal charges under this chapter.

in committee · Delaware · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 330: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO AN EDUCATOR AND EDUCATION STAFF BILL OF RIGHTS.

HB 330 proposes to amend Delaware's state laws to establish a Bill of Rights specifically for educators and education staff. This legislation would create protections for teachers and school employees related to their work within the educational system. The bill aims to define and safeguard the rights of these professionals during their employment in Delaware schools. It has been introduced in the House and assigned to the Education Committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Delaware · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 331: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ASSAULT AND STANDING UP FOR EDUCATORS.

Delaware educators identify school safety as a significant issue affecting whether they stay in the profession. This Act demonstrates the General Assembly's commitment to supporting our educators by elevating a recklessly or intentionally caused physical injury to an educator to an assault in the second degree. Under this Act, an "educator" includes an employee, contractor, or subcontractor of a public or private elementary school or secondary school. The injury must occur while on school property or at a school-sponsored event in order for this Act to apply. This Act may be cited as "The We've Got Your Back Act".

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Delaware · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SCR 164: RECOGNIZING APRIL 2026 AS "CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 164 officially designates April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month within the State of Delaware. This legislative action serves as a symbolic recognition intended to encourage awareness and focus on child safety initiatives during that specific period.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SCR 166: RECOGNIZING APRIL 14, 2026, AS “SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY DAY AT THE CAPITOL” IN DELAWARE.

This bill designates April 14, 2026, as "Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Day at the Capitol" in Delaware. It is a symbolic measure that does not change laws or affect public policy. The resolution simply acknowledges the presence of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority at the state capitol on that specific date.

passed both · Delaware · House Apr 14, 2026

HCR 126: RECOGNIZING APRIL 13–14, 2026, AS YOM HASHOAH, HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes sundown on April 13, 2026, through nightfall on April 14, 2026, as Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. It honors the memory of the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during the Holocaust, recognizes the courage and resilience of Jewish survivors and those who resisted oppression, and urges all residents of Delaware to reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust and stand against Antisemitism, hatred, and intolerance in all forms.

passed both · Delaware · House Apr 14, 2026

HCR 109: RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF APRIL 11 THROUGH APRIL 17, 2026, AS "BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK" IN DELAWARE.

HCR 109 designates the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Awareness Week throughout the state of Delaware. This legislative measure is a formal recognition intended to highlight the importance of maternal health outcomes for Black women during that specific period. The bill does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change government operations; it serves solely as a symbolic declaration passed by both the House and Senate.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Delaware · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SCR 143: ESTABLISHING THE BLOCKCHAIN AND DIGITAL INNOVATION TASK FORCE.

This Resolution establishes the Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force, established for the purpose of examining opportunities to maintain and enhance Delaware’s position as a leader in blockchain and digital innovation, and identifying how to attract and retain businesses engaged in digital assets and related technologies, while developing appropriate consumer protections and regulatory clarity. The Task Force is to prepare and deliver a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor concerning its findings and recommendations, if any, for maintaining Delaware’s competitive position in business law and digital innovation, no later than July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed both · Delaware · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 3: AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE V OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO VOTING.

This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 3. This Act differs from Senate Bill No. 3. in that it incorporates technical corrections made to the Delaware Constitution by House Bill No. 10 (153rd General Assembly). Like Senate Bill No. 3, this Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to eliminate the limitations on when an individual may vote absentee and provide an absolute right to vote by absentee ballot without an excuse. This Act is in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Albence v. Higgins, 2022 Del. LEXIS 377 (Del. 2022). Although Section 1 of this Act creates an absolute right to vote by absentee ballot without an excuse, a qualified voter who desires to cast an absentee ballot must request an absentee ballot from the Department of Elections for each election cycle, unless the qualified voter is granted permanent absentee status. This State’s current absentee voting law authorizes permanent absentee status for various reasons (see § 5503(k) of Title 15 of the Delaware Code) and this Act adopts those reasons. For each election in which a qualified voter votes by absentee ballot under a permanent absentee status, the qualified voter must take an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter remains eligible for permanent absentee status. Section 2 of this Act requires all absentee ballots to include an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter’s vote is free from improper influence. This oath or affirmation is in lieu of the oath or affirmation otherwise required under Section 3 of Article V of the Delaware Constitution. Amending the Delaware Constitution requires not only the passing of the changes in this Act, but also passage of the same changes after the next general election by the next General Assembly. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article XVI 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 Delaware Constitution.

signed · Delaware · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 266: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MOTORIZED SCOOTERS.

HB 266 (Delaware Code Title 21 amendment) allows large Delaware municipalities to permit the rental of low-speed motorized scooters through local ordinances or regulations. This directly affects cities (like Wilmington or Newark) and scooter rental companies by giving local governments authority to establish rules for scooter operations. The key provision removes a barrier by enabling municipalities to create their own permitting systems for scooter rentals, rather than requiring state-level approval. The bill passed the House unanimously and is now before the Senate Environment Committee.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SCR 160: PROCLAIMING APRIL 2026 AS "SECOND CHANCE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates April 2026 as "Second Chance Month" throughout the State of Delaware. The measure serves as a symbolic proclamation to raise awareness about second chances, likely in the context of criminal justice reform or rehabilitation. It does not create new laws or programs but instead encourages public recognition and awareness during the designated month. The resolution was passed by both the Senate and House without requiring a formal vote in the House.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SCR 153: RECOGNIZING APRIL 2026 AS "PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This bill designates April 2026 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month in Delaware. The resolution formally recognizes this month to highlight awareness of Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological condition. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment to encourage public education and support for those affected by the disease. The measure was passed by both the Senate and House without additional legislative requirements.

Bill results