Delaware Senators Move One Step Closer to Protecting Civil Rights for Individuals with Disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Delaware Senators Move One Step Closer to Protecting Civil Rights for Individuals with Disabilities

Date: March 20, 2026

Contact:

Emmanuel Jenkins

Community Relations Officer

Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council

Phone: 302-739-7192

Email: [email protected]

Dover, DE - Delaware lawmakers have taken a significant step forward in advancing civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities with the unanimous Senate passage of Senate Bill 198 (SB 198) on March 12, 2026.

Originally introduced on July 1, 2025, SB 198 is a landmark piece of legislation designed to strengthen and safeguard the rights of people with disabilities across the state. Sponsored by Senator Nicole Poore, and co-sponsored by Representative Debra Heffernan and Representative DeShanna Neal, the bill amends Title 6 of the Delaware Code by adopting the protections of Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as they existed on January 1, 2025. The legislation also incorporates references to Section 504 throughout Delaware law and aligns it with the Delaware Equal Accommodations Law.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously, with strong bipartisan support. Senators Brown, Buckson, Cruce, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Richardson, Seigfried, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, and Wilson voted in favor. Representatives Neal and Wilson-Anton are also supporting the legislation, alongside additional Senators who signed on as co-sponsors-demonstrating a unified commitment to protecting the rights of Delawareans with disabilities.

Senator Poore introduced SB 198 in response to concerns raised by the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council's Policy and Law Committee. The bill ensures broad, consistent, and enforceable protections under state law, guaranteeing equal access to services, programs, and accommodations.

With its passage in the Senate, SB 198 will now move to the Delaware House of Representatives, where it has been assigned to the House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee for consideration on March 24, 2026, at 12pm. https://legis.delaware.gov/MeetingNotice/33837

SB 198 will provide broad, consistent, and enforceable protections under state law, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to services, programs, and accommodations. This proactive legislation protects Delaware's disability community from potential changes to Section 504 at the federal level, offering greater certainty and accountability for individuals and organizations statewide.

Maitri Campbell, Chair of the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council Policy and Law Committee and self-advocate, shared:

"The creation and passage of SB 198 is important to me because we will be able to be included in the community. It also makes sure people with disabilities have access to the community in education, health care, housing, employment, and public services. SB 198 protects the civil rights of people with disabilities."

"Without these protections, we won't be able to live in the community and all our rights will be taken away," Campbell continued. "We will lose access to education, health care, housing, employment, and public services. That's why I am so passionate about this bill-to make sure the civil rights of Delawareans with disabilities are protected. For me, if SB 198 is not passed and our rights are not protected, I won't be able to live independently in the community like I have for over 21 years. The three and a half years I worked to get out of a facility to be able to live in the community would be wasted, and I will have to live in an institution. I do not want to go backwards; I want to go forward.

Delaware's disability community represents thousands of residents-nearly 14% of the population. They are neighbors, friends, family members, and community leaders. With SB 198, Delaware continues to position itself as a leader in civil rights protections and inclusive policy.

The coalition strongly believes that SB 198 advances its shared mission of promoting inclusion, eliminating discrimination, and safeguarding opportunities for people with disabilities in our state.

Now is the time for people with disabilities, their families, advocates, and all Delawareans to unite and speak out if SB 198 will impact you, your family, or community. To find your legislator and their email please visit https://legis.delaware.gov/FindMyLegislator.

About the Coalition:

The coalition is dedicated to advancing the rights, access, and opportunities of people with disabilities throughout Delaware. Members include the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council, the State Council for Persons with Disabilities, the Governor's Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens, and Disability Rights Delaware.