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DelawareHS 1 for HB 55153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF MILITARY STATUS.

Sponsored By: Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Service access protections for military households

Delaware businesses and facilities covered by public-accommodation law cannot deny services or privileges because of military status. This protects service members, reservists, veterans, and servicemembers’ dependents. Covered businesses also cannot publish messages saying they will deny access or services on that basis.

Insurance protections for military households

Delaware-licensed insurers cannot discriminate against insured service members, reservists, veterans, or servicemembers’ dependents because of military status. The ban covers policy writing, customer classifications, statements, ads, and discriminatory premium or policy-value calculations. The Insurance Department must process and investigate discrimination complaints, following required notice and confidentiality procedures.

Housing protections for military households

Delaware bans housing discrimination against service members, reservists, veterans, and servicemembers’ dependents, including in senior rental units. Landlords cannot deny rentals, cancel leases, or charge higher rent because of military status. Protections also cover home sales, housing terms, ads, real-estate transactions, and access to listings and brokers. Existing exemptions preserve lawful, evenly applied occupancy limits and appraisals based on factors other than protected traits. Distinctions expressly allowed by state or federal law, regulation, or government contract remain permitted, including in the rental-law version beginning December 31, 2028.

Charter admission protections for military families

Delaware charter schools cannot discriminate in admissions because of a student’s military status. This includes students who are service members, reservists, veterans, or servicemembers’ dependents. The charter-school race definition also includes hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks, and twists. Schools may still consider a school district’s local spending per student as an admissions factor.

State job protections for military households

Delaware bans military-status discrimination in state classified-service jobs, which are covered by the state’s personnel system. This protects service members, reservists, veterans, and servicemembers’ dependents in hiring, promotions, demotions, dismissal, and other treatment. The law also bars favoritism based on military status unless legally authorized. Existing veterans’ preferences and distinctions allowed by state or federal law, regulation, or government contract remain permitted.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Frank Burns

    Democratic • House

  • William Bush

    Democratic • House

  • Krista Griffith

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Heffernan

    Democratic • House

  • Jeff Hilovsky

    Republican • House

  • Gerald W. Hocker

    Republican • Senate

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kendra Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

  • Spiros Mantzavinos

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • Josue O Ortega

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Poore

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melanie Ross Levin

    Democratic • House

  • David P. Sokola

    Democratic • Senate

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/30/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 6/17/2025

Passed (2/3 required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    7/23/2025Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/30/2025Senate

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Veterans Affairs) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 8 On Its Merits

    6/24/2025Senate

  4. Assigned to Veterans Affairs Committee in Senate

    6/17/2025Senate

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

    6/17/2025House

  6. Reported Out of Committee (Veterans Affairs) in House with 7 Favorable, 7 On Its Merits

    5/23/2025House

  7. Adopted in lieu of the original bill HB 55, and Assigned to Veterans Affairs Committee in House

    4/15/2025House

Bill Text

  • Current

    4/15/2025

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