Sen. Darius Brown

Maddy summaryHCR 109 designates the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Awareness Week throughout the state of Delaware. This legislative measure is a formal recognition intended to highlight the importance of maternal health outcomes for Black women during that specific period. The bill does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change government operations; it serves solely as a symbolic declaration passed by both the House and Senate.

This Resolution establishes the Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force, established for the purpose of examining opportunities to maintain and enhance Delaware’s position as a leader in blockchain and digital innovation, and identifying how to attract and retain businesses engaged in digital assets and related technologies, while developing appropriate consumer protections and regulatory clarity. The Task Force is to prepare and deliver a final report to the General Assembly and the Governor concerning its findings and recommendations, if any, for maintaining Delaware’s competitive position in business law and digital innovation, no later than July 1, 2027.

This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 3. This Act differs from Senate Bill No. 3. in that it incorporates technical corrections made to the Delaware Constitution by House Bill No. 10 (153rd General Assembly). Like Senate Bill No. 3, this Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to eliminate the limitations on when an individual may vote absentee and provide an absolute right to vote by absentee ballot without an excuse. This Act is in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Albence v. Higgins, 2022 Del. LEXIS 377 (Del. 2022). Although Section 1 of this Act creates an absolute right to vote by absentee ballot without an excuse, a qualified voter who desires to cast an absentee ballot must request an absentee ballot from the Department of Elections for each election cycle, unless the qualified voter is granted permanent absentee status. This State’s current absentee voting law authorizes permanent absentee status for various reasons (see § 5503(k) of Title 15 of the Delaware Code) and this Act adopts those reasons. For each election in which a qualified voter votes by absentee ballot under a permanent absentee status, the qualified voter must take an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter remains eligible for permanent absentee status. Section 2 of this Act requires all absentee ballots to include an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter’s vote is free from improper influence. This oath or affirmation is in lieu of the oath or affirmation otherwise required under Section 3 of Article V of the Delaware Constitution. Amending the Delaware Constitution requires not only the passing of the changes in this Act, but also passage of the same changes after the next general election by the next General Assembly. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend the Delaware Constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 266 (Delaware Code Title 21 amendment) allows large Delaware municipalities to permit the rental of low-speed motorized scooters through local ordinances or regulations. This directly affects cities (like Wilmington or Newark) and scooter rental companies by giving local governments authority to establish rules for scooter operations. The key provision removes a barrier by enabling municipalities to create their own permitting systems for scooter rentals, rather than requiring state-level approval. The bill passed the House unanimously and is now before the Senate Environment Committee.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution designates April 2026 as "Second Chance Month" throughout the State of Delaware. The measure serves as a symbolic proclamation to raise awareness about second chances, likely in the context of criminal justice reform or rehabilitation. It does not create new laws or programs but instead encourages public recognition and awareness during the designated month. The resolution was passed by both the Senate and House without requiring a formal vote in the House.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month in Delaware. The resolution formally recognizes this month to highlight awareness of Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological condition. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment to encourage public education and support for those affected by the disease. The measure was passed by both the Senate and House without additional legislative requirements.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution extends the deadline for the Housing Department Task Force to submit its final report to October 1, 2026. The measure directly affects the Housing Department Task Force by granting it additional time to complete its work and deliver findings. By adjusting the reporting schedule, the resolution allows the task force more time to conduct its analysis without changing its original purpose or scope. This procedural change does not alter the task force's mandate or the housing policies it examines, only the timeline for its final submission.

This Concurrent Resolution designates March 26, 2026, as "Epilepsy Awareness Day" in the State of Delaware and calls upon State agencies and the people of Delaware to undertake suitable efforts to increase epilepsy awareness.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes Christian Holy Week and Passover within the State of Delaware. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change government operations, but rather serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of these religious observances. The resolution was passed by both the Senate and the House without requiring a formal vote in the House, indicating broad support for the recognition. As a procedural measure, it does not impose any obligations or restrictions on individuals or state agencies.

This resolution recognizes April 6, 2026, as "Tartan Day" in the State of Delaware and commemorates the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish-Americans to the United States. When the United States was first formed and the thirteen states selected their first governors, nine were of Scottish ancestry. All the members of the first American cabinet had Scottish ancestry. Delaware's first governor, John McKinly, was born in Northern Ireland of Scottish descent. Americans of Scottish descent have played a vibrant, influential role in the development of this country. However, not until 1997 was this influence recognized by a single-year U.S. Senate. Resolution that appeared in the Congressional Record of April 7, 1997. In 1998 National Tartan Day was officially recognized on a permanent basis when the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 155 recognizing April 6th as National Tartan Day. This was followed by companion bill House Resolution 41, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 9, 2005. President George W. Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation on April 4, 2008 making April 6 National Tartan Day. In April of 2008, then Governor Minner issued a statement celebrating the accomplishments of Scots-Irish Americans in the First State as part of a Scots/Scots-Irish Heritage Month. April 6 commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which asserted Scotland's sovereignty over English territorial claims, and which was a significant influence on the American Declaration of Independence. Canada has been celebrating "National Tartan Day" since 1993. The idea and motivation for creating a similar American holiday was provided by the Scottish Coalition, a group of national Scottish-American cultural organizations.