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DelawareHB 53153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE AND DEVICES FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE DEAFNESS, HEARING LOSS, OR SPEECH DISABILITIES.

Sponsored By: Eric Morrison (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More communication help for disabled Delaware residents

The law removes the old first-come, first-served limit of 10 new telecommunications service approvals per month. Delaware residents with deafness, hearing loss, or speech disabilities can get Fund-paid devices for communication or emergency information. Devices must appear on the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s eligible-device list. Examples include alerting doorbells, smoke detectors, amplified phones, and emergency kits. The Office handles applications and program rules. These changes take effect one year after enactment.

Narrower phone access for speech disabilities

The law narrows eligibility for the covered wireline phone service when an applicant qualifies based on a speech disability. That disability must be related to, or result from, being deaf or hard of hearing. A speech disability unrelated to hearing loss no longer qualifies a person for this service. This restriction does not apply to the separate device rules, which still include residents with speech disabilities. The change takes effect one year after enactment.

Phone bill surcharge funds disability services

Wireline providers must collect a separately listed bill surcharge to fund relay services, eligible devices, and program costs. The surcharge can change annually, with providers receiving at least 90 days’ notice before a change takes effect. Money stays in a dedicated fund outside the regular budget process; June 30 balances carry forward rather than return to the General Fund. Program staff spending is capped at 15% of yearly Fund revenue, and administrative costs have a separate 15%-of-Fund cap. The Fund must keep at least three months of relay, device, and administrative expenses, including staff costs, based on prior-year averages. The Department of Technology and Information operates the statewide phone relay service and can hire an outside operator. By September 30, the Office must submit and post a prior-year report covering applications submitted, approved, and denied; spending, including staff and administration; relay and device costs; counts of each device distributed; and the year-end balance. These changes take effect one year after enactment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Frank Burns

    Democratic • House

  • William Bush

    Democratic • House

  • Richard G. Collins

    Republican • House

  • Mara Gorman

    Democratic • House

  • Krista Griffith

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Gerald W. Hocker

    Republican • Senate

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kendra Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shannon Morris

    Republican • House

  • DeShanna U Neal

    Democratic • House

  • Edward S. Osienski

    Democratic • House

  • Trey Paradee

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicole Poore

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cyndie Romer

    Democratic • House

  • Melanie Ross Levin

    Democratic • House

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Madinah Wilson-Anton

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/17/2025

Passed (3/5 required)

Yes: 20 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    7/21/2025Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/17/2025Senate

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits

    3/26/2025Senate

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

    3/18/2025Senate

  5. Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 5 ABSENT

    3/18/2025House

  6. Amendment HA 1 to HB 53 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

    3/18/2025House

  7. Amendment HA 1 to HB 53 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    3/12/2025House

  8. Reported Out of Committee (Technology & Telecommunications) in House with 3 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

    3/11/2025House

  9. Introduced and Assigned to Technology & Telecommunications Committee in House

    3/6/2025House

Bill Text

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