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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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HB291 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PRISONS AND PRISONERS.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PRISONS AND PRISONERS.

Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Morrison
Last action
2026-05-05
Official status
Out of Committee 5/5/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the bill will be enforced or what happens to existing contracts.

Ban on For-Profit Inmate Labor Contracts

The bill stops the Department of Corrections from making contracts with for-profit companies that want to use inmate labor.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits the Department of Corrections from entering into, renewing, or extending any contract or arrangement with any for-profit entity for the use of inmate labor.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Corrections
  • For-profit companies that want to use inmate labor

Terms To Know

Department of Corrections
A government agency responsible for managing prisons and prisoners.
Inmate labor
Work done by people who are in prison.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not apply to outside employment and work release programs under § 6533 of Title 11.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-05 Delaware General Assembly

    Reported Out of Committee (Corrections & Public Safety) in Senate with 4 Favorable

  2. 2026-04-16 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 6 NO 2 ABSENT

  3. 2026-04-16 Delaware General Assembly

    Assigned to Corrections & Public Safety Committee in Senate

  4. 2026-03-24 Delaware General Assembly

    Reported Out of Committee (Corrections) in House with 7 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits

  5. 2026-03-05 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Corrections Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PRISONS AND PRISONERS.
This Act prohibits the Department of Corrections from entering into contracts with any for-profit entity for the use of inmate labor.
This Act does not apply to § 6533 of Title 11 relating to outside employment and work release.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Morrison & Sen. Hoffner

Reps. Lambert, Neal, Burns, Snyder-Hall, Harris; Sens. Sokola, Walsh, Lockman, Seigfried, Cruce, Poore

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 291

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PRISONS AND PRISONERS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 6532, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 6532. Work by inmates.

(k) The Department may not enter into, renew, or extend any contract or arrangement with any for-profit entity for the use of inmate labor. This subsection does not apply to outside employment and work release under § 6533

of this title.

SYNOPSIS

This Act prohibits the Department of Corrections from entering into contracts with any for-profit entity for the use of inmate labor.

This Act does not apply to § 6533 of Title 11 relating to outside employment and work release.