Last week marked the official return to Legislative Hall following the General Assembly’s annual spring recess. Each year, lawmakers break for two weeks around the Easter holiday, and when they come back, the pace almost always accelerates.
You have to remember that this is the second half of a 2-year legislative session. And now that we’ve passed the time of spring recess, we also only have 2 months left in the Session. Because of just how many bills haven’t completed the process, legislators are in overdrive to get them over the finish line and to quickly get through any other pieces of legislation they’ve yet to file up until this point.
That sense of urgency certainly translated into this week.
What we saw over this week did not feel like the slow and focused pace that we’ve seen earlier this year, but a full sprint. Major legislation was introduced, debated, and in some cases moved forward quickly—sometimes with limited opportunity for public review.
Let’s walk through the key developments you need to know.
First Week Back: A Rapid Return to Activity
As already mentioned, this is the moment where legislators are working against the clock to work their legislation. With Session scheduled to end June 30, every remaining week carries increased pressure to move priority legislation.
That urgency can produce a higher volume of bills throughout the process, from being filed to moving from one point to the next of the process. We already know that public engagement can be given less time as the Committee Chair possesses the authority to shorten each testimony submitted by the public from 2 minutes to 1 minute.
Last week reflected both.
SCR 156 – Comprehensive Sex Education Resolution
Going into last week, we were prepared for two major bills on behalf of the preborn: Senate bills 251 and 252. Both bills were scheduled for Wednesday.
What we were not prepared for was a major resolution from the Senate that would require heavy opposition: SCR 156.
Resolutions, unlike bills, are often introduced directly on the floor without prior committee hearings. That means there is typically no advance public posting or opportunity for review before debate begins.
Though that lack of notice is typical for resolutions, knowing about SCR 156 proved to be crucial in our ability to connect with legislators on the dangers of the resolution. Prior to its introduction, Sen Eric Buckson publicly raised concerns about the resolution on the radio. Once we were able to look at the proposed draft of the bill, we were able to recognize the areas of deep concern held by Sen. Buckson.
The concurrent resolution proposed the development of a comprehensive sex education framework for Delaware schools, with guidance from organizations such as:
- Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
- Advocates for Youth and Answer
These organizations promote national standards that include explicit instruction on sexual behaviors in their curriculum that spans from k-12.
The sponsor, Sen. Laura Sturgeon made revisions to the resolution before it officially hit the floor on Tuesday. However, rather than addressing the underlying concerns of the content that would actually be included within the comprehensive sex ed, the changes merely removed the explicit naming of these organizations and replaced them with broader language:
“and other relevant organizations”
This shift proved to be more than cosmetic. It literally changed the debate itself.
When senators raised concerns about the previously identified organizations and their materials, they were repeatedly ruled out of order by the Lt. Governor, on the basis that those groups were no longer named in the resolution. Rather than recognizing the ambiguity and open-ended nature of just what organizations can now be brought into the conversation, it was treated like a strength.
This created a central issue. While the substance of the actual concern remained, the ability to discuss it was procedurally limited.
The ambiguity now raises an important question: WHO are the “relevant organizations” that will ultimately shape this curriculum?
Again, because we have the original draft, we know exactly what the answer to that question is. Despite these concerns, SCR 156 passed the Senate.
As a concurrent resolution, it still has to be heard in the House and passed there to be signed into law. It has been scheduled to be heard this Wednesday in the House Education Committee at 3pm. Make sure you reach out to the House Representatives to let them know that you oppose kindergarteners learning about self pleasure or elementary students learning about erotic fantasies. Go to DelawareFamilies.org/noporninschool to make sure they hear from you!
SB 251 & SB 252 – Committee Hearings
After the unexpected resolution the day before, we finally were able to have hearings for the two major pieces of pro-life legislation that we were prepared for:
- SB 251 – Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
- SB 252 – Women’s Right to Know Act
There was wonderfully coordinated testimony by experts and members of the public to stand for life.
Expert Testimony
- Emily Hoegler, Policy Counsel with Americans United for Life, provided legal and policy clarity on the matter of informed consent and patient care standards presented by SB 252.
- Dr. Sheila Page, affiliated with the Charlotte Lozier Institute, then presented detailed medical research on fetal pain, supported by a comprehensive powerpoint of all the data.
Both witnesses addressed direct questions from legislators and offered substantive, evidence-based responses.
Another expert witness was brought on to refute the claims made by both Emily and Dr. Page, but in doing so made a few points alarmingly clear. The expert witness for the opposition was asked if women currently are informed that they have a right to see their ultrasound. To that question, Dr. Chou responded “I don’t know that we characterize it necessarily as a right” and then continued to say “There’s not a right that’s enshrined right now, and I hope we don’t enshrine that.”
The so-called side of “pro-choice” of “women’s rights” are all for limiting women’s rights if they believe it goes against their ideological framework. It was never about providing a women a right to make choices or about standing for women’s rights. It was always about having freedom to murder innocent babies in the womb and limit any pushback or potential for accountability possible.
During the questioning with Dr. Chou, it was also pointed out that women can see the ultrasound if they ask.
But that raises a critical question:
Why is the burden placed on the patient to request information, rather than on the physician to provide it?
In nearly every other area of medicine whenever diagnostic imaging is performed, it is presented to the patient, often without even asking. This is simply patients being informed as part of standard care.
These bills seek to align abortion procedures with that same standard.
Despite strong testimony and coordinated advocacy and clear hypocrisy from the opposition, both bills have stalled in committee and are unlikely to move to the Floor.
Because they’re still not technically dead, you can still reach out to the Senate and let them know that you stand with protecting women. Go to DelawareFamilies.org/Women’sRighttoKnow to urge the Senate to release SB 252 from committee.
SB 250 – Surrogacy & Parentage Law
Also being considered last week in the Senate, was SB 250, a bill we have previously discussed alongside SB 236, Senator Lawson’s proposal focused on ensuring donor-conceived children are able to access the medical records of their biological parent and then contact information once the child turns 18yrs old.
SB 250 represents a major overhaul of Delaware’s Uniform Parentage Act, spanning nearly 80 pages of statutory changes.
The bill expands and formalizes commercialized genetic surrogacy arrangements, raising significant concerns about:
- The legal definition of parenthood
- The treatment of children within contractual frameworks
- The broader commodification of human life
Following the hearing:
- All Democrats voted in favor
- All Republicans chose not to vote
Because of the super majority the Democrats have in the Senate, the bill still moved forward. However, the lack of Republicans joining in on voting for the bill meant it did so without bipartisan support.
Both bills will be heard this Wednesday in House committed. SB 236 will be at 10:30am in the morning in the House Health and Human Development Committee while SB 250 will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee at 11:30 am.
For more information on SB 250 as well as a way to reach out to your House Representative and tell them not to vote in favor of this bill, go to DelawareFamilies.org/ThemBeforeUs.
Last Week’s Themes
Several themes emerged clearly:
1. Speed Over Scrutiny
From SCR 156 to SB 250, we continue to see complex policies move quickly, often with limited time for public understanding or input. With lengthy bills like SB 250, even legislators themselves can feel as if they don’t have enough time to give the proper time needed to process through legislation.
2. Language Matters
The shift in SCR 156—from naming specific organizations to using vague language—demonstrates how wording can shape not just policy, but debate itself.
3. Expert Testimony Isn’t Always Decisive
Even well-supported, data-driven arguments—like those presented for SB 251 and SB 252—do not guarantee legislative movement. Even still, the presentation of truth itself is still a win. A win is exactly that, when truth is advanced. It doesn’t mean that people hearing it agree or believe it, but now they have no excuse not to know it. It’s planted a seed.
4. The Work Is Not Done
Bills that stall in committee can return. Bills that pass one chamber must still pass another.
Looking Ahead
This week will be another critical one. SB 235, SB 250, and SCR 156 will all be heard in committee
All of the bills mentioned today as well as more bills that we’re watching and following can all be found on the Legislative Update page at DelawareFamilies.org/Updates.
There you’ll find:
- Bill summaries
- Action alerts
- Testimony resources and more
Final Thought
This first week back made one thing clear:
The legislative process is moving quickly, but the outcomes are not inevitable. A bill may look one when presented and end up totally different by the time it’s completely passed.
Lock arms with us as we continue to speak truth into difficult and dying spaces. We’ll continue to monitor the developments and keep you informed on what it means for Delaware families.