Sen. Bryan Townsend

This Act provides the following support for federal workers during a government shutdown: (1) In Section 1 of this Act, interest free loans to provide financial assistance. (2) In Section 2 of this Act, free transportation on public transit. (3) In Sections 3 through 6 of this Act, deferral of certain State, county, and school tax filings, payments, and collections.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution formally congratulates the Class of 2025 Eagle Scouts for achieving the highest rank available in Scouting America. The measure directly affects these young individuals by offering official legislative recognition for their accomplishment. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of their service and dedication.

This Concurrent Resolution reaffirms Delaware's commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership with Taiwan, supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the United States, commends Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy, and continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contributions in international organizations.

This bill creates a special license plate for Delaware State University to support student access, academic excellence, and university programs that advance the institution’s mission.

This Act amends the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act (DPDPA), Chapter 12D of Title 6, originally enacted in 2023, to more closely align the DPDPA with similar consumer data protection laws enacted in other states. This Act amends the applicability threshold of the DPDPA to entities who process the personal data of not less than 15,000 consumers, which on a population percentage basis closely aligns to thresholds in Connecticut and New Jersey. This Act amends Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) applicability exemptions, adopting approaches to financial data in similar laws in Connecticut, Montana, and Oregon, by exempting all data regulated by GLBA while limiting entity-level exemptions specifically to banks and insurers and their respective affiliates. This Act introduces contracting and due diligence requirements where businesses sell or disclose personal data to third parties and also harmonizes several DPDPA business requirements and consumer rights with personal data privacy laws in other states. This Act also makes technical changes to existing law to conform to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act amends Title 16 to establish statewide standards for levels of neonatal care for facilities that operate neonatal nurseries or neonatal intensive care units. The Act requires facilities to comply with nationally recognized standards for levels of neonatal care established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), ensuring that newborns receive care in facilities equipped to meet the complexity of their medical needs. Under the Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will designate each facility's level of neonatal care based on compliance with the AAP standards, including staffing, equipment, facility capabilities, and patient protocols. The Act further establishes additional requirements for facilities providing Level IV NICU services which care for the most critically ill and medically complex newborns. DHSS must adopt implementing rules by January 30, 2027, and will seek input from the Delaware Perinatal Quality Collaborative and existing NICU providers in developing these rules.

This Act creates a first-time home buyers' savings plan, called the Homeownership Using Savings and Earnings Plan (the HOUSE Plan), to ignite future homeownership in Delaware by helping residents save for their first home. The HOUSE Plan offers a practical solution that encourages financial responsibility and long-term planning by allowing individuals to save and use funds for eligible costs associated with purchasing a home, such as down payments and closing costs, and costs associated with acquiring a rental lease for a primary residence, such as security deposits and payment of the first month of rent. Earnings on amounts held in in a HOUSE Plan account accrue free from Delaware income taxation. This Act sets how much account holders may contribute, both annually and over the lifetime of an account, and specifies annual income caps for eligibility to open an account. Funds must be used within 20 years after the account is opened. This Act also establishes the HOUSE Plan Board to oversee the design, implementation, and preliminary administration of the Plan. This Act makes homeownership more attainable, builds generational wealth, and strengthens communities, without direct state spending.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 15, 2026, as "Delaware Elder Abuse Awareness Day" to highlight the issue of elder abuse within the state. It does not create new laws or change any policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public attention on this topic. The resolution was passed by both the House and the Senate without requiring a formal vote count.

This Act removes the cap on the amount of tax a county or municipality can levy on poles, wires, cable and conduit for distribution of telephone communication services. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article IX of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend a municipal charter, whether directly, by amendment to a specific municipality's charter, or, as in this Act, indirectly, by a general law.

Maddy summaryHB 290 designates June 11 as "Puerto Rico Day" in Delaware for annual commemoration. This ceremonial bill, introduced in January 2026, formally recognizes Puerto Rico's cultural significance through a designated observance. It does not create new laws or regulations but establishes an annual state-level recognition event. The bill directly affects Delaware's state calendar and commemorative practices, with no direct impact on individuals or policies.