Daily Report for 3/12/2026

Governor's Actions

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
SB 106 w/ SA 2 + HA 2SignedBucksonThis Act requires each school district and charter school to adopt a policy, with educator input, about cell phone use by students during school hours. Each policy must contain: (1) Clear guidelines about what constitutes acceptable cell phone use at school. (2) A requirement that limits cell phone use during instructional time. (3) The designation of times and places during which students may use their cell phones at school. (4) Guidelines that encourage communication between the schools, parents or guardians, and students about the cell phone use policy. (5) A system of appropriate consequences for violations of the cell phone use policy. (6) Exceptions that address, and are applicable to, emergency situations and medical or educational accommodations. Each school district and charter school shall provide the Department with its policy. Each school district and charter school shall post its policy on its website by August 1, 2025. School districts and charter schools are free to amend their cell phone use policies as needed. If a school district or charter school adopts an amended cell phone use policy, it must be provided to the Department and posted on that school district or charter school’s website. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CELL PHONE USE IN SCHOOL.
SS 1 for SB 230 w/ SA 1 + HA 1SignedMantzavinosThis Act is a substitute bill for Senate Bill No. 230 and differs from Senate Bill No. 230 by removing the language related to Section 284 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. This Act defines, for purposes of this section, “county authority” as the Chief Financial Officer of the Office of Finance, the Director of the Department of Finance of Kent County, and the Finance Director of Sussex County. This Act expressly authorizes the county authority to compel the production of testimony and documentary evidence whenever a county relies upon, or defends its reliance upon, the income approach or cost comparison approaches to assess the fair market value of real property. This Act permits the enforcement of subpoenas by order of the Superior Court and permits use of the court’s contempt powers.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUBPOENA POWER.

New Legislation Introduced

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
SA 1 to HB 222DefeatedPettyjohnThis Amendment lowers the minimum fine from $125 to $50 and the maximum fine from $5,000 to $2,000 per violation. As a result, the penalties will increase to approximately twice the current levels rather than five times the current levels proposed in the bill. 
HA 1 to HB 269PassedBurnsThis Amendment requires that electric suppliers adopt the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's Model Interconnection Procedures within 12 months of the Procedures' publishing date. It further provides that any deviation from the Procedures must be affirmatively approved by the utility's regulatory body in a formal proceeding. The utility regulating authority may also establish, monitor, and enforce mandatory interconnection application processing timelines and project milestones within its interconnection rules. Commission-regulated electric utilities may recover implementation costs including administrative fees, back-office technology upgrades, and customer system investments necessary to decrease overall project execution timelines.  
HS 1 for HB 213CommitteeGriffithThis Act creates a privilege for confidential communications between a victim and a victim advocate. The victim can waive the privilege with a signed waiver. The privilege may also be overcome in certain circumstances, including mandated reporting of child abuse, communications relating to the intent to commit a violent crime, and in state custody and child abuse cases. This Act defines a victim advocate as an employee of a victim services agency, or formal volunteer under the supervision of an employee of a victim services agency who has completed a minimum of 20 hours of advocacy training. This substitute bill incorporates the change from HA1 to House Bill No. 213 regarding the exception for child abuse and state custody cases. It also explicitly excludes law-enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice from the definition of victim services agency. It clarifies that the victim advocate may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the victim. Finally, it adds a process and criteria for a defendant in a criminal case to overcome the privilege in certain circumstances. This is intended to mirror the exception to the therapist-client privilege articulated in Burns v. State, 968 A.2d 1012 (2009).AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES.
HB 316CommitteeMorrisonThis Act clarifies that the existing law, which makes it a Class D felony when a person intentionally causes physical injury to any state employee or officer, when that employee or officer is discharging or attempting to discharge a duty of employment or office, applies to elected officials. This Act provides that it is a Class D felony when the assault of the state employee or officer is related to the person’s official position, whether or not the person assaulted is on or off duty at the time. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ASSAULTS ON STATE EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS.

Legislation Passed By Senate

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 222PassedLambertThis Act updates the fine structure for violations of the State Nutrient Management Program. Under this Act, the Commission may impose a fine of not less than $125 nor more than $5,000 for each violation. The current fine may be not less than $25 nor more than $1,000 for each violation.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT.
SB 198Out of CommitteePooreThis Act amends the Delaware Equal Accommodations Law to adopt the protections of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973’s Section 504 (“Section 504”), and its implementing regulations as those regulations existed on January 1, 2025. This bill will help ensure that Delawareans with disabilities get broad and full protection within Delaware. The bill also adds that references to Section 504 in other parts of Delaware law or regulation will be considered a reference to the Delaware Equal Accommodations Law.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EQUAL ACCOMMODATIONS
HB 266 w/ SA 1PassedOrtegaThis Act allows a large municipality to permit the rental of a low-speed motorized scooter through ordinance or other regulation.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MOTORIZED SCOOTERS.
SB 226 w/ SA 1Out of CommitteePinkneyThis Act provides that health care facilities must permit patients who have been issued and possess a valid registry identification card for the medical use of marijuana and have a terminal illness to use medical marijuana on the health care facilities’ premises, subject to certain restrictions. However, a health care facility may prohibit or suspend such use of medical marijuana under some circumstances, such as if the facility's medical professionals determine that use of medical marijuana may have an adverse impact on the medical care and treatment of the patient or is otherwise contraindicated, or if a federal regulatory agency, the United States Department of Justice, or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services initiates an enforcement action against a health care facility based on the use of medical marijuana on the facility's premises or issues a rule or guidance prohibiting the use of medical marijuana at health care facilities. In addition, the Act provides that a person is not subject to civil or criminal liability or professional discipline for complying with the Act, except in cases of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. This Act is modeled on a 2021 California law known as "Ryan's Law."AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA.
HCR 91PassedRoss LevinThis Resolution recognizes February 5, 2026, as “National Girls & Women in Sports Day” in the State of Delaware, to celebrate the achievements of girls and women in sports and raise awareness and support for upholding Title IX protections for future generations of athletes.RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 5, 2026, AS NATIONAL GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 143Out of CommitteeBrownThis Resolution establishes the Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force, established for the purpose of examining opportunities to maintain and enhance Delaware’s position as a leader in blockchain and digital innovation, and identifying how to attract and retain businesses engaged in digital assets and related technologies, while developing appropriate consumer protections and regulatory clarity. The Task Force is to prepare and deliver a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor concerning its findings and recommendations, if any, for maintaining Delaware’s competitive position in business law and digital innovation, no later than July 1, 2027.ESTABLISHING THE BLOCKCHAIN AND DIGITAL INNOVATION TASK FORCE.
SB 240CommitteeHuxtableThis Act amends Title 23 of the Delaware Code to increase the maximum draft limit applicable to sixth class pilots from 27 feet to 29 feet, enabling the safe pilotage of deeper-draft vessels and aligning pilotage standards with modern shipping practices. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 23 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CLASSES OF PILOTS' LICENSES.
SB 253CommitteeSturgeonThis Act revises the parent notification requirements for school bullying policies by repealing the requirement that notification be made using a form generated by the Department of Justice (DOJ). This change conforms to DOJ’s current practices and procedures related to involvement with student behavior issues. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL BULLYING.
SA 1 to SB 226PassedPinkneyThis Amendment to SB 226 limits the scope of the Act to licensed acute care hospitals and clarifies that a patient or the patient's caregiver must notify the patient's attending physician of the patient's use of medical marijuana. 
SA 1 to HB 266PassedPettyjohnThis Amendment removes the limitation that a municipality must have a population of 30,000 or more to permit the rental of low-speed motorized scooters by ordinance or other regulation. 

Legislation Passed By House of Representatives

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 195CommitteeK. WilliamsThis Act changes the age at which a person can bartend from 21 years old to 18 years old, and requires that a bartender who is 18, 19, or 20 years old be directly supervised by a person who is 21 years of age or older and who is working behind the bar with the 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old. This Act also increases the frequency of statutorily mandated alcoholic beverage server training from every 4 years to every 2 years. To ensure that 18–20-year-olds are protected from sexually oriented content by virtue of being permitted to bartend, this Act prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from entering into or working in any capacity in a tavern or taproom that offers sexually oriented entertainment. This includes taverns and taprooms that are licensed as adult entertainment establishments under Chapter 16 of Title 24, taverns and taprooms that offer sexually explicit performances as defined in § 787 of Title 11, and tavern and taprooms that are advertised as “strip clubs,” “adult entertainment clubs,” “gentlemen’s clubs,” or that offer performances or services of a sexually oriented nature. Currently, Delaware is in the minority of states when it comes to requiring bartenders to be 21 years old. By reducing the legal bartending age to 18, this Act will help Delaware’s food service industry remain competitive with the many other states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, in which 18–20-year-olds can bartend. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO BARTENDING.
SB 191SignedSeigfriedThis Act updates the language establishing the board of directors for the Delaware Institute for Dental Education and Research. This Act adjusts the composition of the voting and non-voting members of the board, the term limits of any board members, and procedures for how the Chair and Vice Chair are selected. The Act clarifies that any member of the board must complete a training on diversity. Any consultant from a university asked to assist the board with its official business does not vote. The Act makes minor changes pertaining to the purpose and duties of the board.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR DENTAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.
SB 210SignedHansenThis bill amends the definition of “Community-owned energy generating facility” in Title 26 of the Delaware Code, § 1001(5) by adding the requirement that the point of interconnection be located in the service area of a utility under the regulation of the Public Service Commission.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES.
SCR 141PassedHoffnerThis concurrent resolution designates February 2026 as “Turner Syndrome Awareness Month” in the State of Delaware.DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2026 AS “TURNER SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 144PassedHuxtableThis Resolution recognizes the 75th anniversary of the Delaware State Parks system, established in 1951.RECOGNIZING THE DELAWARE STATE PARKS SYSTEM ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY.
HS 1 for HB 272CommitteeHeffernanLike House Bill No. 272, this Substitute creates the new crime of "interference with reproductive health services or exercise of religion”, which is based on a substantially similar federal law (18 U.S.C. § 248). The Superior Court is vested with jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions of this offense. This Substitute for House Bill No. 272 adds clarification by defining “place of worship”. This Substitute also replaces the phrase “discourage any person from obtaining or providing reproductive health services” with “seek to persuade any person with respect to a reproductive health choice or the provision of reproductive health services.” Finally, this Substitute adds language modeled on the similar federal law to clarify that nothing in this law (1) prohibits expressive conduct, including peaceful picketing or demonstration, that is protected under either the U.S. or Delaware Constitution, (2) creates new remedies for interference with activities protected by the free speech or exercise clauses or limit any existing legal remedies for such interference, nor (3) provides exclusive criminal penalties or civil remedies with respect to conduct prohibited under this law.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER.
SCR 145PassedWalshThis Senate Concurrent Resolution designates April 11th, 2026, as “National Pet Day” in the State of Delaware. DESIGNATING APRIL 11, 2026 AS “NATIONAL PET DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 146PassedPooreThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes February 19, 2026 as “WORLD CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA DAY” in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 19, 2026, AS “WORLD CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 147PassedBucksonThis Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes and celebrates 125 years of service by Delaware Libraries, honors their longstanding commitment to literacy, innovation, and community engagement, and commends the dedicated librarians and advocates who support schools and communities across the State.RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF DELAWARE LIBRARIES AND THEIR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Senate Committee Assignments

Committee
Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology
Finance
Judiciary

House Committee Assignments

Committee
Appropriations
Judiciary
Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)

Senate Committee Report

No Senate Committee Report

House Committee Report

No House Committee Report

Senate Defeated Legislation

No Senate Defeated Legislation

House Defeated Legislation

No House Defeated Legislation

Nominations Enacted upon by the Senate

NomineeStatusCommission/BoardReappointment
Bautista, Segundo "Sam"ConfirmedMember, Water Infrastructure Advisory CouncilNew
DelFattore, JoanConfirmedMember, State Public Integrity CommissionNew
Smith, Deirdre S.ConfirmedMember, Water Infrastructure Advisory CouncilNew
Williams-Mayo, Sharon A.ConfirmedMember, State Board of ElectionsReappointment