DelawareSB 169153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3, TITLE 6, TITLE 9, TITLE 10, TITLE 11, TITLE 14, TITLE 16, TITLE 19, TITLE 21, TITLE 24, TITLE 26, TITLE 29, TITLE 30, AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE, AND THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF NEWPORT, RELATING TO TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

Sponsored By: David P. Sokola (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 4 costs, 4 mixed.

Nursery plants face destruction or correction

When the Secretary of Agriculture finds a violation of the covered nursery rules, the Secretary orders destruction of the illegal plants. The person holding them can avoid destruction by completing one or more actions the Secretary directs. These include seeking or providing nursery or plant-health certification, returning plants to the sender, or documenting advertising claims.

Mental health support during pregnancy and postpartum

Perinatal care providers must give people information about mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and after birth. Providers must encourage sharing it with family or caregivers. They must begin an evaluation and act to provide care when they identify symptoms or receive a positive screening result. The same duty applies when they see that care for a child is suffering.

Newport uses county property tax assessments

Newport's Town Manager must use New Castle County's assessments and assessment roll for town property taxes. The town can still adjust the list for new construction, tax-exempt status, uses missing from the county list, or clear unfairness. The law sets no tax rate and does not say whether a property's tax rises or falls.

Broader conviction standard for massage licenses

The conviction-review standard now applies throughout the massage and bodywork licensing chapter, rather than just one section. Criminal conduct counts as substantially related only when it directly bears on fitness or ability to perform necessary massage or bodywork duties. This standard affects licensing decisions for applicants and practitioners with convictions.

More help making mental health directives

Beginning September 30, 2025, more types of providers can help you create an advance mental health-care directive. Health-care institutions, health-care professionals, and certified peer recovery specialists can provide this help. Creating a directive remains optional.

Some taxpayers excluded from misdemeanor rule

The specified misdemeanor rule for failing to file, provide information, or pay tax excludes people with certain tax obligations. The exclusion covers estimated tax and taxes under Title 30, § 3002, Chapter 51, or Chapter 52. These taxpayers still owe the underlying tax.

Snow crews can use green warning lights

State- or municipality-owned and operated snow removal equipment can use authorized green flashing or revolving lights during cold weather operations. The law replaces the narrower reference to winter operations.

Higher daily fines for ongoing violations

For continuing violations covered by this rule, maximum civil penalties double for each day after the first day. Health and safety violations carry up to $5,000 per extra day, up from $2,500. Other violations carry up to $2,500 per extra day, up from $1,250.

Institutions return studied bodies to county examiners

After completing study of a body received under the covered program, an approved institution must deliver the remains to a county office. It must use the medical examiner's office in the county where the institution is located, rather than the Division of Forensic Science. That office receives the remains for natural organic reduction, burial, or cremation.

More details required for juvenile jurisdiction transfers

The Governor cannot accept a federal request to give up exclusive juvenile legislative jurisdiction over Delaware military property without required details. The request must name the authorized federal official or agent and state their position and legal authority. It must precisely describe the property's boundaries and say whether it covers future adjoining land acquired for military use.

Exempt local utilities must plan renewable purchases

Municipal electric companies and rural electric cooperatives choosing the exemption must submit a renewable-energy plan at the beginning of 2025. It goes to their local regulator, the Delaware General Assembly, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The plan must address increased renewable purchases, available offshore wind and solar resources in their service area, and long-term contributions to state carbon-reduction goals. This planning rule sets no required purchase amount or household rate change.

More local authority to remove abandoned vehicles

County code officers and municipal police join state authorities in tagging abandoned vehicles on qualifying private property. Tagging is allowed after 7 days without removal following certified-mail notice, or when the vehicle owner cannot be located. A vehicle still there 24 hours after tagging can be moved to storage. The rule covers vehicles present with the property owner's or occupant's consent, or owned by either. It excludes automobile graveyards and vehicles hidden from the road that pose no nuisance, health, or fire hazard.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

David P. Sokola
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Timothy D. Dukes
Republican • House
Kerri Evelyn Harris
Democratic • House
Gerald W. Hocker
Republican • Senate
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Democratic • Senate
Melissa Minor-Brown
Democratic • House
Edward S. Osienski
Democratic • House
Brian Pettyjohn
Republican • Senate
Jeffrey N. Spiegelman
Republican • House
Bryan Townsend
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 58 • No: 0

House vote • 6/30/2025

Passed (3/4 required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/12/2025