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DelawareHB 89153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 19 AND 29 RELATING TO HOME IMPROVEMENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

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.

Stronger refunds for home improvement fraud

People harmed by consumer fraud tied to home improvement contracts can sue for actual losses, court costs, and reasonable lawyer fees. This includes fraud-law violations connected to the dispute process. Buyers can recover three times their compensatory damages, plus other legally allowed damages, for a willful violation. To qualify, buyers must complete the Division’s eligibility steps: written notice, the 20-day wait, and the required application. They must also send a written settlement offer at least 10 business days before suing. The contractor must reject it or fail to answer within 10 business days. The court’s damages award must exceed the offer.

Contractors face penalties for ignoring disputes

Home improvement contractors must answer the Division’s notice and take part in good faith. Failure violates Delaware’s Consumer Fraud Act and is presumed willful unless the contractor proves good cause. The Division must notify the Department of Labor and send the contractor a copy. The Department may deny, suspend, or revoke registration for consumer-protection violations or failure to participate in good faith. Registration applications must disclose whether the contractor or someone with a financial interest in the business failed to participate in good faith. The specified registration information is not public, but must be shared with the Department of Justice upon request.

New help resolving home improvement disputes

Delaware’s Division of Consumer Protection runs and publishes a process for residential buyers to resolve home improvement disputes. Buyers must send a Director-approved request, signed under penalty of perjury, through an authorized delivery method and wait 20 days. They must then submit an approved application, also signed under penalty of perjury. It must include the request, contract, contractor’s reply or sworn statement of no reply, and other requested information. Contractors have 20 days to answer the Division’s notice and must take part in good faith. The Division considers all relevant circumstances, but not whether the contractor accepted a settlement proposal. Process communications are confidential settlement talks, generally barred from proving a claim’s validity or amount or challenging a witness. Courts may use them to assess contractor good faith. The law took effect immediately and requires implementation within 6 months of enactment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Eric Buckson

    Republican • Senate

  • William Bush

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Cruce

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mara Gorman

    Democratic • House

  • Krista Griffith

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kerri Evelyn Harris

    Democratic • House

  • Jeff Hilovsky

    Republican • House

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Russell Huxtable

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kendra Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Cyndie Romer

    Democratic • House

  • Ray Seigfried

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/25/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 6/11/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    9/24/2026Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/25/2026Senate

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

    6/24/2026Senate

  4. Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate

    6/18/2026Senate

  5. Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

    6/18/2026Senate

  6. Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate

    6/11/2026Senate

  7. Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/11/2026House

  8. Amendment HA 1 to HB 89 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

    6/11/2026House

  9. Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 4 On Its Merits

    6/9/2026House

  10. Amendment HA 1 to HB 89 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    5/7/2025House

  11. Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

    4/17/2025House

  12. Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 5 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits

    4/16/2025House

  13. Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

    3/25/2025House

Bill Text

  • Current

    3/25/2025

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