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SA1TOSS1FORSB116 • 2025

This Amendment adds language to clarify that the allowed payment restrictions are consistent throughout the Act and also changes the requirements regarding accepting certain payments from any entity to only charitable organizations or government entities.

This Amendment adds language to clarify that the allowed payment restrictions are consistent throughout the Act and also changes the requirements regarding accepting certain payments from any entity to only charitable organizations or government entities.

Housing
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Lockman
Last action
2026-03-18
Official status
Passed 3/18/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Amendment to Clarify Payment Restrictions and Judgment Rules

This amendment clarifies payment restrictions for landlords and ensures that vacated judgments still count when determining tenant eligibility.

What This Bill Does

  • Clarifies that payment restrictions allowed by the Act are consistent throughout.
  • Changes rules about accepting payments to only allow charitable organizations or government entities.
  • Ensures a judgment that is later canceled (vacated) still counts as a judgment for calculating tenant eligibility.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Landlords who set payment rules for tenants
  • Tenants facing eviction judgments

Terms To Know

Judgment
A decision made by a court in a legal case.
Vacated judgment
A court decision that is canceled or set aside.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how landlords will enforce these new rules.
  • It's unclear if there are any penalties for violating the payment restrictions.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-18 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 1 NOT VOTING 1 ABSENT

  2. 2026-03-17 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Placed With Bill

Official Summary Text

This Amendment adds language to clarify that the allowed payment restrictions are consistent throughout the Act and also changes the requirements regarding accepting certain payments from any entity to only charitable organizations or government entities. It also makes clear that a judgment vacated under this Act still counts as a judgment for purposes of calculating whether a tenant as had 3 judgments in the previous 24 months to make the tenant ineligible to use the Right of Redemption. It also makes a technical correction on line 31.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Lockman

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

SENATE SUBSTITUTE NO. 1

FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 116

AMEND Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 116 by on line 31 by inserting “

on

” after “

is based

” and before “

such failure

” therein.

FURTHER AMEND Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 116 by deleting lines 51-52 in their entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

“

due under the terms of the lease, plus all court-awarded costs and fees, to the landlord or the landlord’s agent.

”

FURTHER AMEND Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 116 by deleting line 65 in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

“

(4) An electronic or written check made by a charitable organization or government entity has the same

”.

FURTHER AMEND Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 116 by deleting line 72 in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

“

otherwise apply. A judgment vacated under paragraph (b)(5) of this section is still considered a judgment for purposes of calculating the number of judgments in the previous 24 months to determine a tenant’s eligibility under this paragraph.

(7) The landlord may restrict the method of payment under this section, unless payment is made by a charitable organization or government entity, as follows:

a. Prior to a judgment being entered against the tenant, the landlord may restrict the method of any payments to those accepted under the terms of the lease.

b. Once a judgment has been entered against the tenant, the landlord may require payment be made by either certified check or money order.

”.

SYNOPSIS

This Amendment adds language to clarify that the allowed payment restrictions are consistent throughout the Act and also changes the requirements regarding accepting certain payments from any entity to only charitable organizations or government entities. It also makes clear that a judgment vacated under this Act still counts as a judgment for purposes of calculating whether a tenant as had 3 judgments in the previous 24 months to make the tenant ineligible to use the Right of Redemption. It also makes a technical correction on line 31.

Author: Senator Lockman