Sen. Laura Sturgeon

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 6, 2025, as “Alpha Phi Alpha Legislative Day at the Capitol” in Delaware. It honors Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated as an organization that has provided a voice and a strong vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color in the State of Delaware and around the world.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 59 recognizes the period from April 28 to May 3, 2025, as "Auctioneers Week" in the State of Delaware. This resolution serves to acknowledge the auctioneering profession within the state.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 62 recognizes the month of May 2025 as "Healthy Vision Month" in the State of Delaware. This resolution serves to acknowledge the importance of vision health.

This Act amends Delaware’s marriage laws to recognize a valid marriage between first cousins obtained or recognized outside of Delaware (either in another state or territory of the United States or foreign country) as a valid and legal marriage in Delaware. This Act does not legalize the performance of marriages between first cousins within the State of Delaware. U.S. Immigration Services only recognizes marriages for immigrating couples as “valid” if the marriage is valid both where the marriage was performed and in the state where the couple is currently living or planning to live. Couples planning to settle in Delaware have been advised by federal officials to move to neighboring states that recognize marriages between first cousins as legal, leading to loss of economic activity to the state and unnecessary financial hardships for families seeking legal reunification. This substitute bill makes a technical correction and removes subsections of the Code that are unchanged.

This Act will allow voters in primary and general elections to vote at any polling place in their county of residence. The Act’s goal in doing so is to increase access to voting by giving voters the ability to vote at the polling place in their county that is most convenient to them. This Act also gives the State Election Commissioner the authority to consolidate polling places into centrally located centers for voting, as long as each election district retains at least one polling place and the consolidation of polling places does not result in an undue burden on voters’ access to polling places.

Early access to language is essential to child development. Children identified as Deaf or hard of hearing, rely on hearing aids for language development. Language development leads to success in school. Medicaid coverage of hearing aids for children younger than 21 years old applies only to children who qualify. Delaware currently requires private insurers to provide minimum coverage of $1,000 for each hearing aid for individuals younger than 24 years old, covered as a dependent by the policyholder. The cost of pediatric hearing aids can vary widely but can cost from $3,000 to $5,000 out-of-pocket. This can be too expensive for families who are not qualified for Medicaid coverage, even with the current $1,000 coverage requirement. This Act increases the minimum required coverage for hearing aids by requiring insurers to cover the entire cost of medically necessary hearing aids, and the services of a hearing care professional related to prescribing, fitting, or dispensing the hearing aid or earmold, for individuals younger than 24 years old, covered as a dependent by the policyholder. Insurers are required to cover hearing aids at least every 3 years, or sooner if new hearing aids are medically necessary. For hearing aids with earmolds, insurers are required to cover earmolds at least annually, or sooner if new earmolds are medically necessary. For purposes of the coverage requirement, “hearing aid” means any non-experimental, wearable instrument or device designed for the ear and offered for the purpose of aiding or compensating for impaired human hearing and any related parts, attachments, or accessories, including earmolds. The required coverage for hearing aids applies to all of the following: 1. Individual policies under Chapter 33 of Title 18. 2. Group and blanket policies under Chapter 35 of Title 18. 3. The State employee health plan under Chapter 52 of Title 29. The Act applies to all policies, contracts, or certificates issued, renewed, modified, altered, amended, or reissued after December 31, 2026. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual and reorganizes paragraphs for clarity.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes April 17, 2025, as "Celebrate Delaware Together Day", in celebration of Delaware's rich tapestry of cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 53 recognizes April 21-25, 2025, as "National Home Visiting Week" in the State of Delaware. This resolution aims to acknowledge the importance of home visiting programs.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 54 recognizes April 2025 as "Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month" throughout the State of Delaware. This resolution aims to raise awareness for individuals living with limb loss and limb differences.

Maddy summaryHCR 31 designates April 10th, 2025, as “Youth Author Day” in the State of Delaware. This resolution aims to recognize and celebrate young authors within the state.