Sen. Laura Sturgeon

Maddy summaryHB 219 designates "Diwali Day" as an annual ceremonial observance in Delaware, to be commemorated appropriately each year. This bill formally recognizes Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, as a day of cultural significance within the state's official calendar. It does not create new laws, alter regulations, or affect specific groups or programs - it solely adds a symbolic day to Delaware's recognized observances.

This resolution proclaims May 14, 2026, as "Home Care Advocacy Day" in the State of Delaware and recognizes the dedication and hard work of caregivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 13, 2026, as Delaware Local Government Day to honor the state's local government workers. It directly affects municipal employees, officials, and organizations across Delaware by establishing an official date for recognition. The primary mechanism is a formal declaration that sets aside this specific day for commemorative purposes without altering existing laws or budgets. Once enacted, the resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the contributions of local government personnel.

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 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 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.

This Act changes the title of “physician assistant” to “physician associate” in Title 24, as well as changes the references from physician assistant to physician associate throughout the Delaware Code. It does not change any rights or privileges of those who have been or continue to hold themselves out to be a “physician assistant.” Current law provides that a physician associate may not maintain or manage a location that does not have oversight by the physician associate’s collaborating physician. This Act provides that a licensed physician associate with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours who intends to practice without a collaborative agreement must apply to the Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants for independent practice authority. This Act also provides that the Regulatory Council for Physician Associates must adopt rules and regulations to address the following: (1) the verification of post-graduate clinical practice hours for physician associates with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours; (2) creating an application for physician associates with more than 6,000 post-graduate clinical practice hours to request independent practice authority; (3) creating a process for physician associates who practice without at least 1 licensed Delaware physician in the group, practice, or health system, and have been granted independent practice authority, to notify the Physician Associates Regulatory Council prior to a change of their practice area and provide proof they have had training which aligns to the new practice area; and (4) the conditions under which a physician associate may be denied independent practice authority and how to reapply. The Act also provides that a physician associate is considered to be a primary care provider when practicing in the medical specialties for a physician to be a primary care provider. Payment for services within the physician associate’s scope of practice must be made when ordered or performed by the physician associate, if the same service would have been covered if ordered or performed by a physician. Payment for services must be based on the services provided and not on the health care professional who delivered the service. Physician associates must be authorized to bill for and receive direct payment for the medically necessary services they deliver. The Act also provides that a physician associate who has independent practice authority may sign the special disabled license plate or placard applicant form certifying that a person is disabled, for use in an application to receive a special license plate. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. This Act is effective immediately and to be implemented the earlier of : (1) One year from the date of the Act’s enactment; or (2) When the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline approves the enabling regulations promulgated by the Regulatory Council of Physician Associates.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution that honors Jenna DiEleuterio, the 2026 Delaware State Teacher of the Year, and acknowledges all other District Teachers of the Year in the state. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves to publicly recognize the achievements of these educators through official commendation. The measure was passed by both the House and Senate to express appreciation for the dedication shown by these teachers.