DelawareHS 1 for HB 47 w/ HA 1153rd 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: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Privacy and ongoing alerts for checks

Beginning July 1, 2026, SBI and DELJIS send later Delaware criminal‑history updates to the same school or entity that got the first report. If SBI uses Rap Back, it sends those alerts too. For Department of Education workers and contractors, SBI may send all later criminal‑history updates to the Department. Private‑school background results are confidential and may be seen only by the head of school or a designee. Private schools must get a signed form from each applicant so DSCYF can release Child Protection Registry results.

Stronger fingerprint checks for schools and camps

Beginning July 1, 2026, child‑serving groups must run criminal‑history and Child Protection Registry checks for new employees, volunteers, and contractors. The law ends name‑only checks and parent opt‑outs. Private schools must use fingerprint‑based state and FBI checks for all staff, contractors, and volunteers. School board members must also be checked. Public and private schools, DOE employees, licensed child‑care providers, and youth camps are all covered. Groups must be in full compliance by September 1, 2026.

State covers some background‑check fees

Starting July 1, 2026, the State pays background‑check fees for people applying to work at child‑care facilities licensed under Chapter 30A of Title 14. The Department of Education and DSCYF may also pay these costs for their own job applicants and employees. In other cases, applicants generally pay their own fees.

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

All Roll Calls

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/24/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 5/22/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor
9/2/2025Governor
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
6/24/2025Senate
Reported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits
6/11/2025Senate
Assigned to Education Committee in Senate
5/22/2025Senate
Passed By House. Votes: 35 YES 6 ABSENT
5/22/2025House
Amendment HA 1 to HS 1 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
5/22/2025House
Amendment HA 1 to HS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
5/22/2025House
was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 47
3/25/2025House

Bill Text

Current
3/25/2025
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