WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor Matt Meyer recently signed 10 important bills into law, each aimed at reinforcing public safety, mental health support, and legal protections for Delaware residents. “These bills take critical steps to better protect our communities, support mental health, and ensure justice is fair and accessible for all Delawareans,” Governor Meyer stated.
Among the legislation is House Bill 36, which updates Delaware’s nondiscrimination laws, ensuring they’re clear and comprehensive while preserving the core rights of citizens. Sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, the bill closes loopholes in current protections.
House Bill 37, co-sponsored by Morrison and Sen. Tizzy Lockman, expands nondiscrimination protections to government-run services, aligning them with those required for private businesses. Another major bill, House Bill 54, creates a statewide Office of Suicide Prevention within the Department of Health and Social Services. This office will centralize suicide prevention efforts and coordinate services across the state. “This is a critical, lifesaving move,” said Morrison.
House Bill 129, introduced by Rep. Cyndie Romer and Sen. Marie Pinkney, allows juveniles in Superior Court to appeal plea decisions to the Delaware Supreme Court, ensuring fairer access to justice for young offenders. Rep. Mara Gorman’s House Bill 154 shields nonprofits and law enforcement from lawsuits when distributing gun safes or safety devices with educational materials. “This bill encourages safe gun ownership while protecting Delaware citizens,” Gorman said.
House Bill 220, co-sponsored by Rep. Debra Heffernan and Sen. Tizzy Lockman, offers more discretion to police before arresting young offenders for minor offenses, like theft and vandalism. This approach focuses on rehabilitation, not just punishment.
Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Sen. Bryan Townsend and Rep. Cyndie Romer, strengthens the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, improving the protection and support for victims throughout the judicial process.
Senate Bill 73, introduced by Sen. Darius Brown and Rep. Bill Carson, ensures only law enforcement officers can request emergency Lethal Violence Protective Orders (LVPOs), clarifying the intent of existing laws.
Senate Bill 82, sponsored by Sen. Tizzy Lockman and Rep. Mara Gorman, extends the duration of Lethal Violence Protective Orders from one year to five years, preventing dangerous individuals from accessing firearms. Finally, Senate Bill 139, led by Sen. Marie Pinkney and Rep. Cyndie Romer, requires law enforcement to preserve biological evidence in sexual assault cases, safeguarding victims’ rights and supporting justice. “SB 139 ensures survivors are treated with dignity and that vital evidence is protected,” said Sen. Pinkney. “This is about ensuring fairness and justice for every Delawarean.”
The new laws have gained widespread bipartisan support and reflect Delaware’s continued efforts to strengthen its communities, protect families, and support victims of violence.
