Delaware House Democrats

Delaware House Democrats Fighting for good wages, quality education and a fair shot for every Delawarean. The session ends on June 30.

The Delaware House Democratic Caucus is composed of 26 Representatives who are serving two-year terms. They are led by House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst and Majority Whip Larry Mitchell. The General Assembly is in session on various Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from January through June. For more information, visit http://legis.delaware.gov.

In 2024, almost 90 million Americans cast their ballots via early or absentee voting. As more people continue to partici...
08/31/2026

In 2024, almost 90 million Americans cast their ballots via early or absentee voting. As more people continue to participate in our electoral process, it’s critical that we ensure the systems we have in place to manage these elections reflect our modern world.

This General Assembly, we took a step to make sure these options are permanently available to Delawareans by passing Rep. Bill Bush and Senator Darius Brown’s SB 2 and SB 3. Together, these bills protect the right to early, in-person, and absentee voting, ensuring every Delawarean has an equal opportunity to participate in free and fair elections.

Both SB 2 and SB 3 are first legs of constitutional amendments, meaning they will need to be passed by the 154th General Assembly to become law.

Elections give people the power to utilize their voice and choose their representation. These are important decisions th...
08/30/2026

Elections give people the power to utilize their voice and choose their representation. These are important decisions that have far-reaching impacts, but their legitimacy has been under threat by corporations who feel that market value equals voting power.

Delaware’s lawmakers have been hard at work for decades to keep our elections safe and secure, but this year we took a big step toward that goal with Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris’s HB 430. This bill establishes a clear statewide standard that only natural persons may vote in elections conducted in or for the State of Delaware.

The sanctity of our elections is of the utmost importance, and here in Delaware, you can be confident that your lawmakers not only understand this sentiment but are actively working to keep them safe.

The U.S. Constitution opens with three simple words: We the People. Delaware’s House Democrats believe in the power of t...
08/30/2026

The U.S. Constitution opens with three simple words: We the People. Delaware’s House Democrats believe in the power of the People and have spent the 153rd General Assembly defending the rights that protect all of us.

Follow along this week as we dive into recent legislation that reflects what we hold close, and reaffirm our commitment to fighting for Delaware at every opportunity.

To close out our education week, we are highlighting a topic that is often overlooked but affects many students every da...
08/29/2026

To close out our education week, we are highlighting a topic that is often overlooked but affects many students every day. Menstrual health can influence a student’s comfort, confidence, attendance, and ability to participate in school and extracurricular activities.

This year, the House passed HB 223, which directs the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), in collaboration with the Department of Education (DOE), to create medically accurate and age-appropriate educational materials about menstrual disorders and their symptoms. These materials will be provided to schools and reviewed regularly to ensure they remain up-to-date and accessible.

In addition to this measure, legislative leaders and community members came together to donate nearly 11,000 menstrual products to the Delaware Dignity Project, a nonprofit that works to expand access to essential hygiene products and raise awareness of period poverty and menstrual health. You can read more about this drive here: bit.ly/4pSastU

While we have only highlighted a few education-related measures this week, we encourage you to continue exploring the education efforts put forth by the 153rd General Assembly by visiting legis.delaware.gov.

Behind every student is a team of dedicated educators and school professionals who show up to support them every day. Th...
08/28/2026

Behind every student is a team of dedicated educators and school professionals who show up to support them every day. This General Assembly, our members passed multiple measures to support these individuals who help our students.

Building on the state’s promise toward teacher starting salaries of $60,000, included in the FY27 operational budget, education employees will be receiving a minimum of a 3% raise, while teachers, nurses, non-administrator classroom staff, and others will receive additional raises as recommended by the Public Education Compensation Commission (PECC).

Additionally, the House passed HB 425 (sponsored by Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown), SB 279 (sponsored by Rep. Kam Smith), and SB 231 (sponsored by Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha). Collectively, these measures are dedicated to ensuring salary parity for nationally certified school professionals, including school nurses, counselors, school-based occupational therapists, school social workers, and other professionals who provide critical mental health services to students. Under HB 425, the Delaware Department of Education will identify additional qualifying national certifications through the regulatory process and establish a clear and consistent method for reviewing future qualifications of school professionals.

Educators, school professionals, and staff wear many hats to contribute to a student's educational experience. Their work is essential to school communities, and their continued dedication is vital to shaping the next generation of leaders.

Supporting students means improving every part of their educational journey. This includes creating safe opportunities f...
08/27/2026

Supporting students means improving every part of their educational journey. This includes creating safe opportunities for them to learn and grow through school athletics. School sports play an important role in many students' lives, which is why Delaware House Democrats passed three measures to ensure these after-school activities remain safe, supportive, and accessible for student-athletes across the state.

Sponsored by Rep. Melanie Ross Levin , HB 300 establishes Delaware’s first statewide Title IX Coordinator for interscholastic athletics. This dedicated coordinator within the Delaware Department of Education will be tasked with helping schools navigate Title IX requirements, provide training and technical assistance, and expand athletic opportunities for both middle school and high school students.

The House also passed HB 452, sponsored by Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Rep. Alonna Berry, which strengthens oversight and accountability in school athletics by enhancing the DIAA’s authority over investigations and compliance. Additionally, this measure implements new training requirements for student athletes and stronger screening standards for athletic officials.

And last year, HB 71 was signed into law. Sponsored by Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris, this bill requires school coaches to be trained in CPR, First Aid, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, and ensure schools have emergency action plans for athletic events.

Every student-athlete deserves to play and compete in an environment that prioritizes their safety and well-being. Together, these measures help ensure Delaware’s students have the resources they need to succeed both on and off the field.

Libraries serve as public spaces where individuals can explore, discover, and develop a lifelong love of reading. As eff...
08/26/2026

Libraries serve as public spaces where individuals can explore, discover, and develop a lifelong love of reading. As efforts to ban and restrict books continue to increase across the U.S., Delaware House Democrats passed legislation to protect every person’s freedom to access a diverse range of books and educational materials in both public schools and libraries.

Sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, HB 119, also known as the Freedom to Read Act, establishes a fair and transparent process for addressing concerns regarding library materials. This bill limits literary censorship by requiring Delaware’s public schools and libraries to adopt collection development policies that affirm the right of all individuals to access materials for their interests, information, and enlightenment. It also prohibits the removal of materials based on an author’s background or any partisan, ideological, or religious objections.

Now signed into law, the Freedom to Read Act helps ensure that everyone can choose what they read without that choice being limited by someone else’s personal beliefs or viewpoints.

Four years ago members of the General Assembly had the honor of meeting Dolly Parton when she visited the First State to...
08/25/2026

Four years ago members of the General Assembly had the honor of meeting Dolly Parton when she visited the First State to launch the Imagination Library program in Delaware.

This initiative, which has run for 31 years, gives children a free book every month from birth to their 5th birthday, regardless of income.

Thanks to Miss Parton’s love of reading and philanthropic spirit, over 270 million high-quality books have been distributed to children across the world. And as of 2024, nearly 60% of Delaware kids were signed up for the program.

Delaware House Democrats mourn the loss of Miss Parton, and celebrate the impact that she has had on the people of Delaware and the world at large as a cultural icon and devoted humanitarian. She will be sorely missed.

Last year, the public made it clear that more oversight was needed to ensure Delaware’s school boards were serving their...
08/25/2026

Last year, the public made it clear that more oversight was needed to ensure Delaware’s school boards were serving their communities effectively. In response, lawmakers came together to release a series of bills designed to enhance transparency, governance, and public engagement in school board operations.

The bills included in the package, which have now been signed into law, are:
✅ Rep. Cyndie Romer's HB 64: requires school boards to provide an option for the public to remotely view and comment on school board meetings.
✅ Rep. Eric Morrison's HB 77: establishes training for school board members on ethics, FOIA, and meeting rules.
✅ Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton's HB 82: sets residency requirements for school board members
✅ Rep. Wilson-Anton’s HB 83: requires school boards to offer virtual attendance options to school board members for reasons such as illness, pregnancy, or military service.
✅ Kim Williams State Representative, 19th District's HB 85: clarifies that those appointed to a school board must undergo a background check and be deemed qualified by the Commissioner of Elections.

School boards, although often overlooked, play an important role in supporting students and managing educational operations within their districts. That’s why it was important not only for Delaware House Democrats but for all residents to address the existing gaps that previously hindered board members from effectively serving their students.

As the federal government moved forward with significant cuts to SNAP in 2025, threatening food assistance for thousands...
08/24/2026

As the federal government moved forward with significant cuts to SNAP in 2025, threatening food assistance for thousands of Delawareans at a time when grocery prices remain high, Delaware House Democrats stepped up to the plate.

Building on our ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity and ensure every child has access to a nutritious meal, the House passed, with bi-partisan support, legislation making Delaware the third state in the country to provide universal free school breakfast. HB 91, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, added 83 more schools to the free breakfast program statewide that were not covered under the federal School Breakfast Program.

With this legislation, thousands of students now start each school day with a healthy breakfast, ensuring they are ready to learn, grow, and succeed.

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