HB361 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SALARIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

Education Labor

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: S. Moore
Last action: 2026-04-22
Official status: Out of Committee 4/22/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on when the changes will take effect or how many certified occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in Delaware schools.

Act to Add Salary Supplement for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants

The bill amends Delaware's education laws to provide a salary supplement for certified occupational therapy assistants who have received national certification.

What This Bill Does

Adds certified occupational therapy assistants to the list of occupations that qualify for a salary supplement equal to 6% of base salary if they receive national certification.

Who It Names or Affects

Certified occupational therapy assistants working in Delaware schools
School districts that employ these assistants

Terms To Know

Salary supplement: Extra money added to a base salary for meeting certain qualifications.
National certification: A credential earned by passing a national exam or meeting other requirements set by a professional organization.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify when the changes will take effect.
It is unclear how many certified occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in Delaware schools.

Bill History

2026-04-22 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 1 Favorable, 8 On Its Merits
2026-04-15 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SALARIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.
This Act adds certified occupational therapy assistants to the list of occupations that qualify for a salary supplement equal to 6% of base salary for receiving national certification.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. S. Moore & Sen. Sturgeon

Reps. Berry, Morrison; Sen. Cruce

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 361

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SALARIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

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

Section 1. Amend § 1305, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1305. Basic salary schedule for teachers, specialists, nurses, principals, superintendents, and other administrative and supervisory employees [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 8(m)(6)].

(

l

) In addition to the base salary derived from subsections (a) and (b) of this section, an employee who has achieved certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or from an equivalent program approved by the State Board shall receive a salary supplement equal to 12% of the base salary so derived. An employee shall receive a salary supplement equal to 6% of base salary so derived for receiving any of the following national certifications:

(1) Certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)—speech pathologists and audiologists.

(2) Nationally-certified school counselor from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

(3) Music therapist—Board-certified from the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

(4) Nationally-certified school psychologist from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

(5) Nationally-certified school nurse from the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN).

(6)

Occupational practitioner, including

Occupational therapist

an occupational therapist or a certified occupational therapy assistant with

advanced certification from the American Occupational Therapy Association or

the Occupational Therapist Registered from

the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

(7) School-based physical therapists who have passed the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) as administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

SYNOPSIS

This Act adds certified occupational therapy assistants to the list of occupations that qualify for a salary supplement equal to 6% of base salary for receiving national certification.