Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
SB 26: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 26 is a bill introduced in the Delaware Senate on January 3, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION. Primary sponsor: Darius Brown (Democratic), Frank Burns (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.
Under current Delaware law, if a labor dispute constitutes a lockout, employees who meet all other eligibility requirements qualify for unemployment benefits from the date they file their claim. However, if a labor dispute does not constitute a lockout, employees do not qualify for (i.e. are disqualified from receiving) unemployment benefits. This Act changes the law to allow an employee who is subject to a labor dispute, other than a lockout, to collect unemployment benefits after a 2-week waiting period, if the employee meets all the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits, including being able and available for work and completing weekly job requirements. This Act provides that the 2-week waiting period established by this Act is waived if one or both of the following apply: (1) The labor dispute is caused by the failure or refusal of the employer to comply with an agreement or contract between the employer and the individual, including a collective bargaining agreement with a union representing the individual, or a State or federal law pertaining to hours, wages, or other conditions of work. (2) The employer hires a permanent replacement worker for the individual's position. The Department of Labor may impose a penalty on an employer who fraudulently certifies the ability of an employee to return to the employee’s prior position on conclusion of the labor dispute. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darius Brown | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 2 |
| Frank Burns | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 21 |
| Kyra Hoffner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 14 |
| Larry Lambert | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Ed Osienski | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 24 |
| Sophie Phillips | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 18 |
| Jack Walsh | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
“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 House. Votes: 26 YES 9 NO 6 ABSENT
- Reported Out of Committee (Labor) in House with 2 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits
- Assigned to Labor Committee in House
- Passed By Senate. Votes: 16 YES 5 NO
- Reported Out of Committee (Labor) in Senate with 5 Favorable
- Introduced and Assigned to Labor Committee in Senate