DelawareHB 36153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 2, TITLE 6, TITLE 9, TITLE 10, TITLE 14, TITLE 19, TITLE 20, TITLE 24, TITLE 25, AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.

Sponsored By: Eric Morrison (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Broader protections for county job seekers

New Castle County cannot discriminate in appointments, removals, or other decisions about county jobs and appointed administrative offices. The rule covers traits protected by Delaware's employment discrimination law. It protects county employees and applicants from discriminatory treatment or favoritism on those grounds.

Stronger admissions protections at trade schools

Private business and trade schools face approval or permit action for denying admission solely on grounds protected by Delaware's public-accommodation law. The Department of Education may refuse to issue or renew their approval or permit, or revoke it. This gives the department an enforcement tool to protect applicants against discriminatory admissions.

Stronger protections for public works workers

Public works contracts funded partly or fully by state appropriations must require contractors to follow Delaware's employment nondiscrimination protections. Contractors must take active steps to ensure equal treatment in hiring, promotions, demotions, transfers, recruitment, layoffs, and dismissals. Equal treatment also covers pay, other compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeships. Contractors must post agency-provided nondiscrimination notices. Job ads and recruiting notices must state that qualified applicants receive consideration without discrimination.

Broader protections for customers and riders

Delaware's public-accommodation protections expressly cover businesses and services licensed or regulated under its banking law, along with places serving the public. This definition excludes home sales or rentals and tourist homes with fewer than 10 rental units. Ride-app companies must adopt a policy covering the traits protected by Delaware's public-accommodation law, including gender identity. They must tell drivers about the policy, and drivers must follow applicable nondiscrimination laws. The policy protects people using or providing rides.

Discriminatory restrictions blocked from property records

County recorders cannot knowingly record or accept property documents containing promises or restrictions based on traits protected by Delaware's fair-housing law. Covered documents include contracts, mortgages, leases, deeds, and other documents transferring real property. The law does not add a filing duty for property owners or other individuals.

Broader protections for Delaware jury service

People eligible for Delaware jury service cannot be excluded based on traits protected by the state's public-accommodation law. These protections supplement the listed protections for race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and economic status.

Fairer access to free recreational land

The law expands nondiscrimination protections for qualifying land used mainly for recreation. The land must be dedicated as parkland, open space, or another public use through a recorded subdivision plan or binding property restrictions. It must also be open free to the public, civic-group members, or specified neighborhood residents. Eligible users cannot face discrimination based on traits protected by Delaware's public-accommodation law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Eric Morrison
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Frank Burns
Democratic • House
Mara Gorman
Democratic • House
Kerri Evelyn Harris
Democratic • House
Larry Lambert
Democratic • House
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
Laura V. Sturgeon
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 51 • No: 7

Senate vote • 6/24/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 15 • No: 6

House vote • 3/27/2025