2021 Legislative Session in Review

This is a Legislative Update summary of what was sent to your inbox during the 2021 Legislative Session. The current status of each bill is also included.
The Legislature ended the 2021 session on June 30th as they do every year.

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A roll call has been included for some of the bills listed below, where that bill is first mentioned.

Legislative Update #1

1/19/21

HB 40: Woman’s Right to Know, SB 17: Woman’s Right to Know, HB 47: Parental Leave, HB 49: Emergency Powers, HB 15: Absentee Voting, HB 25: Same-Day Voter Registration, and SB 27: New Senate Terms. 

HB 40: Woman’s Right to Know Act – The bill did not move this year, but is still alive in the House Health & Human Development Committee for next year. 
SB 17: Woman’s Right to Know – Stricken and replaced with SB 108 later.
HB 49: Emergency Powers – This bill was tabled in the House Administration Committee. It will need to receive a vote to even be brought back for consideration next year. 
HB 15: Absentee Voting – The bill did not move this year, but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
HS 1 for HB 25: Same-Day Voter Registration – The bill was amended while still in committee, but has not moved and is still alive in the House Administration Committee.  
SB 27: New Senate Terms – The bill did not move this year, but is still alive in the Senate Executive Committee.

Legislative Update #2

1/26/21

SR 7: Sanctity of Human Life, SCR 4: Maternal Health Awareness, HCR 6: Human Trafficking Awareness, SCR 6: Law Enforcement Appreciation, and SB 27: Senate Terms.

HCR 6: Human Trafficking Awareness Month – Passed the House by a voice vote and unanimously passed the Senate. 
SCR 6: Law Enforcement Appreciation – Unanimously passed the Senate and passed the House by a voice vote. 

Legislative Update #3

2/3/21

SR 7: Sanctity of Human Life, SCR 8: Gun Violence Crisis, and SB 31: Race Equality Act.

SCR 8: Gun Violence Crisis – Passed the Senate with 13 of the 14 Democrats voting for it and one choosing to not vote. 

Legislative Update #4

3/9/21

HB 31: Repeal of Abortion Criminal Penalties, SB 72: Religious Freedom for All Act, HS 1 for HB 92: School Board Term Limits, SB 78: School Board Qualifications, HB 97: Required Cash Payments, and SB 71: “Red flag” Training.

 SS 2 for SB 78 w/ SA 1: School Board Qualifications – Was substituted twice in the Senate and received an additional amendment before being passed by the Senate with 20 votes for and 1 vote against; passed the House with 37 votes for, 2 choosing not to vote, and 1 absent. 
HB 97: Requirement of Cash Payments – This bill was stricken. A bill with similar verbiage, HB 177, passed committee and is on the House Ready List. 
SB 71: “Red Flag” Training – This bill did not move this year but is still alive in the Senate Education Committee. 

Legislative Update #5

3/16/21

HB 40: Woman’s Right to Know, HB 31: Repeal of Abortion Criminal Penalties, SB 72: Religious Freedom for All Act, HS 1 for HB 92: School Board Term Limits, SB 5: Automatic Voter Registration, and HB 125: Gun Control. 

HS 1 for HB 92: School Board Term Limits – Passed the House with 23 votes for and 18 votes against; passed the Senate with 12 votes for and 9 votes against. 

Legislative Update #6

3/26/21

HB 150: Recreational Marijuana, HB 120: School Bus Cameras, HB 198: Black History Education, SB 72: Religious Freedom for All Act, HB 40: A Woman’s Right to Know, HB 122: Disability Minimum Wage, HB 124, 125, & SB 3: Gun Control, and SB 15: $15 Minimum Wage.

HB 150: Recreational Marijuana – The bill was amended 8 times, passed both the House Health & Human Development and the Appropriations Committee and has been placed on the House Ready List. 

HB 120: School Bus Camera – Passed the House unanimously and the Senate with 19 votes for it and 2 votes against it. It has been signed by the Governor. 
HB 122 w/ HA 2: Disability Minimum Wage – The bill was amended twice and passed in the House with 39 votes for it, 1 against it, and 1 not voting. It passed the Senate unanimously. 
HB 124 w/ HA 1: Gun Control (Prohibition of Criminally Accused from Firearm Purchase )–  The received 1 amendment, passed the House unanimously and passed the Senate with 14 votes for it, 6 against, and 1 not voting. 
SS 1 for SB 3: Gun Control – This bill passed the Senate with 13 votes for it and 8 votes against. It has passed both the Judiciary Committee and Appropriations Committees in the House and is now on the House Ready List. 

Legislative Update #7

4/9/21

SS 1 for SB 78:School Board qualifications, HB 129: Elementary Health Centers, SB 58: Government Overreach, SB 5: Automatic Voter Registration, SS 1 for SB 3 and SB 6 w/ SA 1: Gun Control.

HB 129: Elementary Health Centers – This bill has passed the House Education Committee and is waiting to be heard in the House Appropriations Committee. 
SB 58: Government Overreach – This bill has not moved but is still alive in the Senate Executive Committee. 
SB 6 w/ SA 2 and HA 1,2: Gun Control – The bill was amended and passed the Senate with 13 votes for it and 8 votes against. It was then amended twice in the House and passed with 24 votes for it, 16 against, and 1 absent. Because of the amendments added once in the House, it has been sent back to the Senate for approval of the amendments. 

Legislative Update #8

4/28/21

HB 165: Human Composting, SB 105: Over the Counter Contraceptives, HCR 18: Black Maternal Health, HB 160: Telehealth, HB 198: Black History Education, SB 106: Homeschool Disability Services, HB 154: Political Discrimination, HB 130 & 131: Public Notice for Constitutional Amendment, and HB 155: Redefinition of Sexual Orientation Gender Identity (SOGI).

HB 165: Human Composting – This bill did not move this year but is still alive in the House Health & Human Development Committee. 

SB 106: Homeschool Disability Services – This bill passed both chambers unanimously. 
HB 154 – Political Discrimination – Passed the House Labor Committee Hearing and is on the House Ready List. 
HB 130 and HB 131: Public Notice of Constitutional Amendment – Both passed the House with 40 votes for it and 1 absent. Both unanimously passed the Senate. 
HB 155 w/ HA 1: Redefinition of Sexual Orientation Gender Identity (SOGI) – Passed the House with 36 votes for it, 6 against, and 1 absent. Because of an issue with the long title of the bill, it was replaced later by HB 224. 

Legislative Update #9

5/21/21

SB 108: Woman’s Right to Know – The votes were never recorded but this bill did not pass its Committee hearing, with only 2 votes for it and 3 against, and is now dead. 

HB 175 w/ HA 2: Excused Absence for Civic Engagement – This bill was amended twice and passed the House with 38 votes for it, 1 against, and 2 absent. Passed the Senate with 13 votes for it and 8 against. The bill has been signed by the Governor. 
SR 11: Stand Against Racism Day – Unanimously passed the Senate. 
HB 163 w/ HA 1: Religious Holiday Excused Absence – The bill was amended and passed the House with 40 votes for it and 1 against. Passed the Senate with 17 votes for it, 1 against, and 3 not voting. 
HCR 27: Recognizing Ramadan – Passed the House with 40 votes for it and 1 absent. Passed the Senate with 20 votes for it and 1 not voting.
SB 1: Paid Family & Medical Leave – This bill has not moved this year but is still alive in the Senate Health & Social Services Committee. 
HB 195 w/ HA 2: Police Body Camera Regulations – This bill was amended twice and passed both chambers unanimously. 
SB 126: Penalty for Driving Passed Emergency Vehicles – Passed the House with 20 votes for it and 1 absent. Passed out of its committee hearing in the House and is now on the House Ready List. 
SB 123 w/ SA 1: Pension to Widows/Widowers of First Responders Killed in Line of Duty – This bill was amended and passed both chambers unanimously. 

Legislative Update #10

5/28/21

HCR 24: “Systemic Inequities” in Education, SB 144: Change in Hate Crime Code, HB 136 w/ HA 1: Factors for Considering Parental Custody, HB 196: Parent’s Right to Know Act, SB 141: Termination of Parental Rights, HB 203: Limitations on Emergency Powers, HB 187, HB 188, HB 189, and HCR 23: Steps to Legitimate Voting practices, HS 1 for HB 125: Same-Day Voter Registration, HB 183 w/ HA 1: Elected Official Required Proof of Primary Residence, SB 147, SB 148, and SB 149: Use of Deadly Force and Public Discipline Records of Law Enforcement Officers, SS 1 for SB 3 and SB 6 – HA 1 w/ SA 1: Gun Control. 

HCR 24: “Systemic Inequities” in Education – Passed the House by a voice vote. Unanimously passed the Senate. 
SB 144 w/ SA 1: Change in Hate Crime Code – Passed the Senate with 15 votes for it and 6 against. Is now in the House Judiciary Committeeawaiting a hearing. 
HB 136 w/ HA 1: Factors for Considering Parental Custody – Passed both chambers unanimously. 
HB 196 w/ HA 1: Parent’s Right to Know Act – Passed both chambers unanimously. 
HB 203: Limitations on Emergency Powers – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
HB 187: Duty to Establish Voter Identity – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
HB 188: Fraudulent Voted a Felony Crime – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
HB 189: Required Identification for Absentee Ballots – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
HCR 23: Signature Verification for Absentee Ballots – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
SB 147: Reasonableness Standard for Use of Deadly Force – Passed the Senate with 14 votes for it and 7 against. Passed the House with 25 votes for it and 16 against. This bill has been signed by the Governor. 
SB 148: Division of Civil Rights to Review Uses of Deadly Force – Passed the Senate with 14 votes for it and 7 against. Passed the House with 25 votes for it and 16 against. 
SB 149: Removal of Confidentiality from Police Officer Bill of Rights – This bill has passed its committee hearing and is on the Senate Ready List

Legislative Update #11

6/19/21

SB 161: Safe haven for Newborns, SB 105: Over the Counter Contraceptives, SB 164: Clergy Allowed to Perform Marriages, HCR 30: LGBTQIA+ Month Celebration, HB 224 (formerly HB 155): Redefining SOGI Laws, HB 238: Charter School Registration Not Limited by Address, HB 100 w/ HA 2: Mental Health Unit in Elementary Schools, HB 123 and SS 1 for SB 65: Tuition Assistance, HB 178 w/ HA 1: Year Long Teacher Residency, HB 209: Prohibition of Forced Vaccinations, SCR 47: Taskforce to Manage Voter Registration List, SB 171: Last Residence of the Newly Released Used in Redistricting, SB 160: Insurance Policies for First Responders with Cancer, HB 214 w/ HA 1: Disabled Vet Property Tax Relief, and HB 241: Minors Found in Possession Recommended for Counseling. 

SB 164: Clergy Allowed to Perform Marriages – Passed both chambers unanimously. 
HB 238: Charter School Registration Not Limited by Address – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Education Committee. 
HCR 30: LGBTQIA+ Month Celebration – Passed the House by a voice vote. Passed the Senate with 16 votes for it, 1 against, and 4 not voting.
HB 123: Tuition Assistance for Foster Care Children – Passed the House with 39 votes for it and 2 against. Passed the Senate unanimously. 
SS 1 for SB 65: Tuition Assistance – Passed the Senate unanimously and the House with 40 votes for it and 1 absent. 
HB 178 w/ HA 1: Year Long Teacher Residency – Passed both chambers unanimously. 
HB 209: Prohibition of Forced Vaccinations – This bill has not moved this year but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
SCR 47: Taskforce to Manage Voter Registration List – Failed the Senate with 6 votes for it, 13 against, and 2 absent.
SB 171: Last Residence of the Newly Released Used in Redistricting – Unanimously passed the Senate and passed the House with 40 votes for it and 1 absent.
SB 160: Insurance Policies for First Responders with Cancer – Unanimously passed the Senate and passed the House with 40 votes for it and 1 absent.
HB 214 w/ HA 1: Disabled Vet Property Tax Relief – Passed the House with 40 votes for it and 1 absent. Unanimously passed the Senate. 
HB 241: Minors Found in Possession Recommended for Counseling – Passed the House with 37 votes for it and 4 against. Passed the Senate with 18 votes for it and 3 against. 

Legislative Update #12

7/23/21

HB 199: Un”Equal” Rights Amendment – The bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
HB 140: Assisted Suicide – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Health & Human Development Committee. 
SCR 24: Elder Abuse Awareness Day – This bill passed the House with a voice vote and passed the Senate unanimously. 
SB 195: Requiring Media Literacy – This bill passed its committee hearing and is on the Senate Ready List. 
HB 254: Safety Hotline Numbers on Student IDs – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Education Committee. 
SB 186: Missing and Exploited Children – This bill hasn’t moved yet but is still alive in the Senate Judiciary Committee. 
HB 247: Lift Remaining Mask Mandates – This bill hasn’t moved yet but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
SCR 53: Free Speech Week – This bill unanimously passed the Senate and has not been assigned to a committee in the House as of yet.
HB 256 and SB 196: Changes to Personal Income Tax – These bills haven’t moved yet this year but are still alive in the House Revenue & Finance Committee and Senate Executive Committee, respectively. 
HB 258: Certificate of Nomination – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Administration Committee. 
HB 249: Tuition Reimbursement for Volunteer Firefighters – Passed the House with 39 votes for it and 2 against. Passed the Senate unanimously.
SB 189: Raised Tax Credit for Volunteer Firefighters – Passed its committee hearing and is now on the Senate Ready List.
HB 253: Redefinition of Firearm – This bill hasn’t moved this year but is still alive in the House Judiciary Committee. 
HB 157 w/ HA 1: Needles without a Prescription – Passed both chambers unanimously. 

Each update requires a dedicated and trained staff who is watching, listening, reading, and researching. If these updates are helpful to you, please support the work of DFPC to inform and educate Delaware citizens with your tax deductible gift. To learn more, visit DelawareFamilies.org.

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