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DelawareHB 195153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO BARTENDING.

Sponsored By: Kimberly Williams (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Alcohol workers renew training every two years

Covered alcohol-service workers must renew their responsible-server training every 2 years, replacing the 4-year cycle. Certification comes from the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement course or another course approved by the Commissioner. Workers who completed approved training within the past 2 years need no extra training before their required renewal. Renewal training covers the required server-training information and any added requirements from the Commissioner. Each renewal certification lasts another 2 years.

Adult-entertainment bars exclude people under 21

People under 21 cannot enter or work in any role at Delaware taverns or taprooms offering sexually oriented entertainment. This ban also applies to food-delivery pickups. Covered venues include licensed adult-entertainment establishments, those offering legally defined sexually explicit performances, and those advertised as strip or adult-entertainment clubs.

Bartending starts at 18 with supervision

Delaware lowers the bartending age from 21 to 18. Anyone selling, serving, or preparing alcohol must be at least 18. Workers ages 18–20 can sell and serve alcohol, but preparing it requires direct supervision by someone 21 or older. That supervisor must be working behind the bar with them. People 18 or older can work in taverns and taprooms or enter to pick up food for delivery. Caterers and licensed bowling alleys can employ people starting at 16, but workers under 18 cannot sell, serve, or prepare alcohol.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Spiros Mantzavinos

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael F. Smith

    Republican • House

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 77 • No: 16

House vote • 5/12/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 32 • No: 6

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 14 • No: 5

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 31 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    6/10/2026Governor

  2. Passed By House. Votes: 32 YES 6 NO 1 NOT VOTING 2 ABSENT

    5/12/2026House

  3. Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 5 NO 2 NOT VOTING

    5/6/2026Senate

  4. Amendment SA 1 to HB 195 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    5/6/2026Senate

  5. Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

    4/22/2026Senate

  6. Amendment SA 1 to HB 195 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    4/21/2026House

  7. Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in Senate

    3/12/2026Senate

  8. Passed By House. Votes: 31 YES 5 NO 5 ABSENT

    3/12/2026House

  9. Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 6 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits

    1/20/2026House

  10. Introduced and Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House

    6/5/2025House

Bill Text

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