HCR135 • 2025

RECOGNIZING MAY 21ST AS “DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY DAY” AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE HISTORIC SACRIFICES AND ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS OF DELAWARE’S DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS SERVING VULNERABLE ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: K. Johnson
Last action: 2026-05-21
Official status: Passed 5/21/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on future actions or specific impacts beyond symbolic recognition.

Recognizing May 21st as 'Direct Support Professional Advocacy Day'

This resolution honors Direct Support Professionals in Delaware on May 21st for their work with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.

What This Bill Does

Designates May 21st each year as 'Direct Support Professional Advocacy Day'.
Acknowledges the important role of Direct Support Professionals in helping vulnerable adults with disabilities.

Who It Names or Affects

Direct Support Professionals who work with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Vulnerable adults in Delaware who rely on community-based services provided by Direct Support Professionals.

Terms To Know

Direct Support Professional: A person who provides support and care to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, helping them live independently and participate fully in their communities.
Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD): Conditions that affect a person's ability to learn, communicate, and interact with others from an early age.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution is a symbolic gesture and does not provide any financial support or legal changes.
It only applies within the state of Delaware.

Bill History

2026-05-21 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in House
2026-05-21 Delaware General Assembly
Passed In House by Voice Vote
2026-05-21 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

Official Summary Text

RECOGNIZING MAY 21ST AS “DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY DAY” AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE HISTORIC SACRIFICES AND ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS OF DELAWARE’S DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS SERVING VULNERABLE ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
This resolution recognizes the importance and expertise of Direct Support Professionals to our state on the occasion of May 21st as “Direct Support Professional Advocacy Day" sponsored by the Ability Network of Delaware and A Team Delaware.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. K. Johnson & Sen. Poore

Reps. Bolden, K. Williams, Chukwuocha, Berry, Gorman, Griffith, Heffernan, Morrison, Romer, Ross Levin, Snyder-Hall, Dukes, Michael Smith; Sens. Sokola, Hansen, Pinkney, Mantzavinos, Hoffner, Huxtable, Cruce, Wilson, Buckson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 135

RECOGNIZING MAY 21ST AS “DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY DAY” AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE HISTORIC SACRIFICES AND ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS OF DELAWARE’S DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS SERVING VULNERABLE ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

WHEREAS, Direct Support Professionals serve people with disabilities and other life challenges with dedication and distinction so they may live their best lives; and

WHEREAS, thousands of vulnerable adults continue to require the community-based services of these essential workers, who are employed by non-profit organizations like Forward Journey, Mentor Delaware, Easterseals, Keystone Human Services, KSI, and others; and

WHEREAS, The Ability Network of Delaware and all its members who serve Delawareans in community-based settings continue to advocate for funding that supports a robust direct support workforce so they may meet the needs of those in their care; and

WHEREAS, the need for additional Direct Support Professionals staffing in community-based service providers far outweighs the current workforce; and

WHEREAS, Direct Support Professionals are trained and highly skilled healthcare employees; and

WHEREAS, the Direct Support Professionals are not minimum wage workers; and

WHEREAS, Direct Support Professionals need greater compensation that is commiserate with the level of skill and professionalism their work requires; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has expressed its continued support for the work done by Direct Support Professionals by including additional funds to stabilize this workforce in previous state budgets; and

WHEREAS, “Direct Support Professional Advocacy Day” is to acknowledge the need to recognize Direct Support Professionals as healthcare professionals by increasing funding of Intellectual/Developmental Disability (“I/DD”) services, co-sponsored by Ability Network Delaware and A Team Delaware is taking place on May 21, 2026.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the General Assembly hereby recognizes May 21

st

as “Direct Support Professional Advocacy Day”, acknowledges the important role that Direct Support Professionals play in meeting the human service needs of our citizens, and expresses its sincere gratitude to these essential workers for their commitment to serving their fellow human beings.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution recognizes the importance and expertise of Direct Support Professionals to our state on the occasion of May 21st as “Direct Support Professional Advocacy Day" sponsored by the Ability Network of Delaware and A Team Delaware.