Sen. Brian Pettyjohn

Maddy summaryThis legislative measure designates May 2026 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month within the State of Delaware. The bill directly impacts state officials and the public by establishing an official timeframe for recognizing the disease. Its primary function is to raise visibility for cystic fibrosis through a formal proclamation rather than implementing new laws or funding. The resolution was passed by both the Senate and the House without requiring a formal vote in either chamber.

This 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.

This resolution recognizes the importance and expertise of Direct Support Professionals to our state on the occasion of May 21st as “Direct Support Professional Advocacy Day" sponsored by the Ability Network of Delaware and A Team Delaware.

This Act alters various fees assessed by the Delaware Secretary of State. The Act provides that most changes to the fees will take effect on August 1, 2026, however changes to the partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability company annual tax and changes to the annual tax on registered series of limited partnerships and limited liability companies will take effect on January 1, 2026. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 10 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 increase the effective rate of a tax levied by the State.

This Act updates how academic eligibility for driver education certification is calculated because many high schools have moved from the traditional 7-period school day to various forms of block scheduling. Under this Act, the Department of Education must establish, through regulations, how equivalent credit is calculated for courses taught on a block schedule or when the full length of a course is less than 1 year. This Act also adds world language to the academic courses from which a student may satisfy the credit requirement. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act is a result of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee's focused review of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services' (DDDS) adult day and employment services. This Act requires that DDDS submit an annual report relating to its services to increase the transparency of the services and highlight unmet needs for efficient service delivery. In § 7909A(c)(2)a. of Title 29, DDDS will provide data on census, new applications, demographics of those groups, and the size and diversity of the provider system. Section 7909A(c)(2)b. allows DDDS to demonstrate that its services, and how the services are accessed, change over time. Section 7909A(c)(2)c. gives DDDS the flexibility to provide information on service requests that could not be met, why service requests could not be met, and observed gaps in service delivery, or other information related to challenges DDDS identifies related to the service system. This Act also makes technical changes to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

According to the Arts Education Partnership, 27 states currently include arts course credits as a requirement for high school graduation, and several states have implemented diploma seals or similar recognition programs to incentivize participation. This Act directs the Department of Education to establish the Delaware Certificate of Arts Excellence to recognize high school students who demonstrate sustained engagement and achievement in the arts. Establishing a similar program in Delaware could help increase arts enrollment, elevate the value of arts education, and support students interested in pursuing creative professions.

This Act changes the name of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee to "the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee." When the Committee was first codified in 1980, it was named the "the Joint Sunset Committee." In 2016, the Committee voted to change its name to "the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee." The Committee had "sunsetted" only 2 reviewed entities up to that point. Because "sunsetting" was only one of the Committee's many functions and used the function rarely, its name had grown confusing to the public. Adding "Legislative Oversight" more fully represented the Committee's purpose. Over the last 7 years, the Committee has reviewed 40 entities and "sunsetted" only 6 of them. In January 2026, the Committee voted to update its name to more accurately reflect its evolved purpose. Like most similar committees in other states, Delaware's committee has significantly downsized its focus on the "sunsetting" process in favor of conducting oversight and performance evaluation. This Act does not eliminate or lessen the Committee's authority to "sunset" an entity when a review demonstrates that doing so is the best outcome, and this Act does not amend the Committee's overall authority, focus, or purpose. This Act also makes a technical correction to the title of Chapter 102, Title 29.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally designates May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month within the state. It is a symbolic measure that does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change existing regulations. The resolution serves to highlight the importance of mental health awareness during that specific month.

Maddy summaryHCR 134 is a resolution that officially designates the last Monday of May as Memorial Day. This measure directly affects state government records and public observances by establishing a formal date for honoring military personnel who died in service. The bill was passed by both the House and Senate without requiring a formal vote count. Once enacted, it serves as a commemorative recognition rather than changing laws or regulations.