Rep. Melanie Ross Levin

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.

This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 67. It differs from the original bill by changing the period of time that a criminal history report obtained by the Background Check Center is valid for 1 year, instead of 3 years. The 1-year period of time is now applicable to both applicants of long-term care facilities as well as home-care agencies. This Act also removes the requirement that a current employee of a long-term care facility or home-care agency would need to get another criminal background check if they seek a promotion with their current employer. Because this Act codifies the time frame in which a criminal background check is required, this Act removes the administrative discretion previously provided to the Department of Health and Social Services to determine the frequency in which fingerprints must be obtained.

This Concurrent Resolution designates May 3 – 9, 2026, as “Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week” in the State of Delaware to raise awareness about tardive dyskinesia (TD), an involuntary movement disorder associated with certain medications, and encourages individuals experiencing symptoms to consult their healthcare provider.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 6, 2026, as "International Wishbone Day" within the State of Delaware. It directly affects state officials and the public by establishing an official state observance for that specific date. The primary mechanism is a formal declaration that recognizes the day, without creating new laws or imposing requirements. This type of resolution serves to acknowledge a cultural or commemorative theme rather than changing operational policies.

This concurrent resolution declares that May 17-23, 2026, is "Children's Research Week" and recognizes and honors Nemours Children’s Health Delaware Valley Pediatric Research for its outstanding contributions to improving children’s health, advancing pediatric science, and strengthening the health and well-being of families in Delaware and beyond.

This Concurrent Resolution commends the 2026 Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year, Donna Ward, and all of the District/Charter Network Educational Support Professionals of the Year.

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes and commends Children & Families First for its extraordinary and enduring contributions to the children and families of Delaware during National Foster Care Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2026.

This Concurrent Resolution celebrates Homeschool Awareness Month in May 2026 and aims to demonstrate how homeschooling can be a better option than regular schooling for many children.

This Act repeals the requirement that a person must apply for a certificate of public review prior to the acquisition of major medical equipment. A certificate of public review may still be required if the acquisition meets the capital expenditure threshold under § 9304(a)(2) of Title 16. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform with the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual and restores a missing word to § 9304(a)(2) of Title 16.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2026 as "Small Business Month" in Delaware to recognize small businesses within the state. It does not create new laws, regulations, or funding but serves as a symbolic resolution to acknowledge the importance of small enterprises. The measure directly affects small business owners and the public by encouraging awareness and celebration during the specified month.