Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 357: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 10 AND 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DUTY TO SUPPORT POOR PERSONS.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 357 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on April 9, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 10 AND 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DUTY TO SUPPORT POOR PERSONS. Primary sponsor: Melanie Ross Levin (Democratic), Nicole Poore (Democratic). It lists 5 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 30, 2026): Signed by Governor.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
This Act updates § 503 of Title 13 by replacing the outdated term “poor person” with the term, “a person unable to financially support oneself”. This language change is a technical change to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. In addition, this Act clarifies that § 503 of the Title 13, relating to the duty to support a person unable to financially support oneself (formerly “poor person”), includes the duty to a support an adult child with a disability that cannot support oneself. This duty is articulated in H. v. V., 2018 Del. Fam. Ct. LEXIS 4, where the Family Court found that a parent of a 22 year-old adult child diagnosed with severe autism was statutorily obligated to provide support to the adult child.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 6 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melanie Ross Levin | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 10 |
| Nicole Poore | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 12 |
| Mara Gorman | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 23 |
| Kyra Hoffner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 14 |
| Kendra Johnson | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 5 |
| Larry Lambert | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Dave Wilson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 18 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Signed by Governor
- Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 4 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits
- Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
- Passed By House. Votes: 37 YES 4 ABSENT
- Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 9 On Its Merits
- Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House