Delaware Bills

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 149: RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2026 AS “KIDNEY MONTH” IN DELAWARE.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 2026 as “Kidney Month” in Delaware and highlights the importance of kidney disease awareness, prevention, early detection, and organ donation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Dave Wilson (R) Dave Sokola (D) Bill Carson (D) Stell Selby (D) Dave Lawson (R)

passed both · Delaware · House Mar 19, 2026

HCR 98: PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026 AS “SIKH AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This bill designates April 2026 as "Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month" in Delaware to recognize the Sikh community. It is a ceremonial resolution that does not create new laws or change existing policies. The measure was passed by both the House and Senate with a voice vote in the House and a 20-0 vote in the Senate. This proclamation serves to acknowledge and celebrate Sikh heritage and contributions within the state.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 152: DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2026 AS “MARCH FOR THE ARTS” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates the Month of March 2026 as “March for the Arts” in the State Delaware to recognize the critical role that the arts play in providing a well-rounded education for Delaware’s youth, which in turn supports Delaware’s community vibrancy and creative economy.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 151: RECOGNIZING MARCH 18, 2026, AS “NATIONAL YOUTH HEART SCREENING DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 18, 2026, as “National Youth Heart Screening Day” in the State of Delaware and reaffirms our commitment to preventing sudden cardiac arrest through increased awareness, expanded heart screenings, education, and access to lifesaving tools and training.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 150: RECOGNIZING MARCH 2026 AS "COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 2026 as “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” in the State of Delaware and highlights the importance of education, prevention, and early detection to reduce the impact of colorectal cancer.

passed both · Delaware · House Mar 19, 2026

HCR 103: RECOGNIZING MARCH 2026 AS SOCIAL WORK MONTH IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This Resolution recognizes the pertinent work of social workers throughout Delaware and the entire country, encourages the creation and expansion of Social Work programs, and recognizes March 2026 as Social Work Month in the State of Delaware.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Delaware · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 274: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE CHILD AND DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSE TAX CREDIT.

Like House Bill No. 274, House Substitute for House Bill No. 274 increases the state child and dependent care expense tax credit from the current 50% match to a full 100% match with the federal child and dependent care expense tax credit. The substitute is different from House Bill No. 274 in that it makes this increase applicable to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Delaware · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 35: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION OF STRUCTURES LOCATED ON LAND IN AGRICULTURAL, HORTICULTURAL, AND FOREST USE.

This Act is a substitute for and differs from Senate Bill No. 35 by making the following substantive changes from the original bill: 1. Establishes and provides additional clarity to the definition of “qualified farm structure” to include buildings such as poultry houses, barns, sheds, silos, commodity storage facilities, greenhouse and packing or cooling facilities. To qualify, these structures must be located on land devoted to agricultural, horticultural, or forest land, as already defined in this chapter. Notably, this definition excludes any dwelling units used as residences and any buildings that are used for commercial, industrial, or non-farm businesses. 2. Removes Sections 3 through 6 of Senate Bill No. 35 as unnecessary due to the new definition of “qualified farm structure.” 3. Includes the new definition of “qualified farm structure” to clarify that qualified farm structures are eligible for valuation within this chapter. 4. Establishes that qualified farm structures are to be valued using a cost approach method, with only 50% of the fair market value of these structures subject to tax. This reduced rate excludes any residential dwellings or structures used for commercial, industrial, or other non-farm business purposes. 5. Eliminates references to any proposed changes to § 8337 pertaining to the State Farmland Evaluation Advisory Committee that were originally considered in Senate Bill No. 35. This substitute also makes technical corrections to conform to the standards set by the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. Agriculture is currently the leading industry in Delaware but as housing and other development occurs less farmland becomes available. For farmers in general, but in particular the small and medium sized farm owners, the real estate taxes imposed on their farm structures impose a significant financial impact and adversely affects their ability to survive. At least eighteen other states have recognized this problem and have through legislation provided real estate tax relief for qualified farm structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Delaware · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 178: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

This Act requires that Department of Education employees submit to criminal background checks and are subject to continuous criminal history monitoring. It also authorizes the Department to submit contractors or third parties, that require or may require access to student records, to a criminal background check and continuous criminal history monitoring.

signed · Delaware · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 231: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNIFORM HEALTH DATA.

This Act updates Delaware’s Uniform Health Data laws. This Act corrects the form number of UB-82 to UB-04. This Act provides that emergency department data is included in the data that the Hospital Discharge Technical Advisory Committee studies. Finally, this Act makes technical corrections to conform to the requirements of the Legislative Drafting Manual.

in committee · Delaware · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 261: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATED TO INSURANCE AND POSTHUMOUS PROMOTIONS.

This Act provides that firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders, who are covered persons under Title 18, Chapter 66 related to line of duty death benefits will also receive posthumous promotions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Delaware · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 314: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 28 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STUDENT ATHLETE PROTECTION.

Sports betting is legal in at least 39 states, including Delaware. The increase in sports betting has also seen an increase in threats to and harassment of student athletes. A September 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) survey of campus administrators found 10% of Division I respondents said they were aware of student-athletes being harassed online or in person by someone with gambling interests. And, data from the 2024 March Madness indicated 1 in 3 high-profile student athletes received abusive messages from someone with a gambling interest. With the increase in student athlete harassment, the NCAA and others are urging states to take action. To that end, this Act seeks to protect student athletes from harassment by doing all of the following: (1) Creating a criminal offense of student athlete harassment. (2) Permitting a student athlete who is the victim of student athlete harassment to sue a person convicted of student athlete harassment. (3) Requiring the Director of the State Lottery Office (“Director”) to exclude a person from participating in the play of any table game, sports lottery game, video lottery game, or Internet lottery game in Delaware if the person is convicted of student athlete harassment. (4) Permitting the Director, on an emergency basis, to exclude a person from participating in the play of a sports lottery game if the Director finds the person threatened violence or harm against a student athlete if the threat is related to a sports lottery game. (5) Requiring the Director and Division of Gaming Enforcement to establish and publicize a method of receiving reports from a student athlete or a coach of an intercollegiate sport relating to student athlete harassment.

Bill results