Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 85: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 85 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on March 18, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. Primary sponsor: Kim Williams (Democratic), Eric Morrison (Democratic), Cyndie Romer (Democratic), Madinah Wilson-Anton (Democratic), Laura Sturgeon (Democratic). It lists 17 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 2, 2025): 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.
Under current law, both school board members who are elected and those who are appointed to fill vacancies until the next election are required to complete a background check. However, the statute is currently unclear as to how a background check gets done and who is responsible for reviewing the background check for an appointment. This Act makes clear that a person may not be appointed unless a background check has been completed and the Commissioner of Elections has determined the person is qualified for the seat, in the same manner the Commissioner completes that duty for candidates for school board elections.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 17 · Republican 4
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Williams | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 19 |
| Eric Morrison | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 27 |
| Cyndie Romer | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Madinah Wilson-Anton | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 26 |
| Laura Sturgeon | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 4 |
| Frank Burns | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 21 |
| Mara Gorman | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 23 |
| Stephanie Hansen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 10 |
| Jeff Hilovsky | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 4 |
| Larry Lambert | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Melanie Ross Levin | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 10 |
| Rae Moore | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 8 |
| Ed Osienski | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 24 |
| Nicole Poore | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 12 |
| Stell Parker Selby | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Danny Short | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 39 |
| Kam Smith | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 15 |
| Mike Smith | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 22 |
| Claire Snyder-Hall | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 14 |
| Dave Sokola | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 8 |
| Jack Walsh | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
| Lyndon Yearick | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 34 |
“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 (Education) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits
- Assigned to Education Committee in Senate
- Passed By House. Votes: 37 YES 4 ABSENT
- Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 2 Favorable, 12 On Its Merits
- Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House