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DelawareHB 47153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Sponsored By: Kimberly Williams (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fingerprint checks for private school staff

Private schools must run fingerprint-based Delaware and national criminal checks and a Child Protection Registry check. You must sign a form so the school can get your registry results. The head of school or a designee gets the reports, and the records stay confidential. The school decides if you are barred under section 309(d). Rules start July 1, 2025, and schools must comply by September 1, 2025.

Tighter checks for child-serving groups

All child-serving entities must run criminal history and Child Protection Registry checks for new workers, volunteers, and contractors. Name-based and third-party checks are no longer allowed. SBI and DELJIS send any new Delaware criminal history to the original recipient, and use Rap Back when available. You can let a new requester reuse a prior check if you give written permission. For Department of Education workers, SBI may send updated records to DOE. Most rules take effect July 1, 2025, and entities must comply by September 1, 2025.

Who pays for background checks

In most cases, applicants pay for their criminal history and registry checks. The State pays for applicants to child-care facilities licensed under Title 14, Chapter 30A. The Department of Education and DSCYF can also pay for checks for their workers. These cost rules apply beginning July 1, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Franklin D. Cooke

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Gerald W. Hocker

    Republican • Senate

  • Spiros Mantzavinos

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicole Poore

    Democratic • Senate

  • David P. Sokola

    Democratic • Senate

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. HS 1 for HB 47 - Signed by Governor

    9/2/2025Governor

  2. HS 1 for HB 47 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/24/2025Senate

  3. HS 1 for HB 47 - Reported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

    6/11/2025Senate

  4. HS 1 for HB 47 - Assigned to Education Committee in Senate

    5/22/2025Senate

  5. HS 1 for HB 47 - Passed By House. Votes: 35 YES 6 ABSENT

    5/22/2025House

  6. HS 1 for HB 47 - - Passed In House by Voice Vote

    5/22/2025House

  7. Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 47

    5/22/2025House

  8. Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 47

    3/25/2025House

  9. Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 3 Favorable, 7 On Its Merits

    3/12/2025House

  10. Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House

    3/6/2025House

Bill Text

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