PRIA Logo™
DelawareSB 187153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EDUCATOR AND SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

Sponsored By: Laura V. Sturgeon (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More school workers qualify for financial help

The law expands support to full-time educators, speech-language pathologists, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers in high-need schools. Applicants no longer need to obtain a qualified education loan before applying. Educators need a current Delaware license and certificate, no ineffective evaluation, and at least one school year of high-need service. Speech-language pathologists need at least one school year of full-time school employment. Counselors, psychologists, and social workers need the required Delaware license and certificate and one school year of full-time work in their role.

Separate school worker loan programs end

The law ends the separate loan repayment programs for speech-language pathologists and school mental health workers. Speech-language pathologists, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers can instead apply through the combined high-need school employee program. That program requires full-time employment in a high-need area and at least one school year of qualifying service.

School awards lose cap but prioritize need

School employee awards must be at least $1,000; the former $2,000 cap is removed, with no replacement maximum. The state pays awards as payroll stipends instead of sending money directly to lenders. Awards depend on annual funding, require yearly reapplication, and are limited to one per year and five per lifetime. When funds fall short, priority favors greatest financial need or work in both a high-need certification area and school, reducing others’ chances. The Office requests income and total qualified education loans to assess need; the law sets no income or loan-balance cutoff.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Laura V. Sturgeon

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Eric Buckson

    Republican • Senate

  • Daniel Cruce

    Democratic • Senate

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Gerald W. Hocker

    Republican • Senate

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Russell Huxtable

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Dave G. Lawson

    Republican • Senate

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Brian Pettyjohn

    Republican • Senate

  • Marie Pinkney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicole Poore

    Democratic • Senate

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 0

House vote • 6/30/2025

Passed (3/4 required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/24/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    6/30/2025Governor

  2. Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 VACANT

    6/30/2025House

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 8 On Its Merits

    6/25/2025House

  4. Assigned to Education Committee in House

    6/25/2025House

  5. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/24/2025Senate

  6. Suspension of Rules in Senate

    6/24/2025Senate

  7. Reported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

    6/18/2025Senate

  8. Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in Senate

    6/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    6/13/2025

    HTML

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation