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SB115 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUMMARY POSSESSION.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUMMARY POSSESSION.

Children Housing
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Last action
2025-07-29
Official status
SS 2 for SB 115 - Signed by Governor
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUMMARY POSSESSION.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUMMARY POSSESSION.

What This Bill Does

  • AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUMMARY POSSESSION.
  • This Act provides a pathway for former defendants in eviction actions to have the eviction filings against them expunged.
  • Being the subject of an eviction filing can prevent an individual from securing housing for years after any judgement in the case has been satisfied.
  • Even tenants who prevailed in eviction actions may be denied housing by landlords who turn away any applicant with a prior eviction filing, regardless of the outcome of the case.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2025-07-29 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 2 for SB 115 - Signed by Governor

  2. 2025-07-01 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 2 for SB 115 - Passed By House. Votes: 27 YES 12 NO 1 ABSENT 1 VACANT

  3. 2025-06-25 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 2 for SB 115 - Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 4 On Its Merits

  4. 2025-06-18 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 2 for SB 115 - Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

  5. 2025-06-17 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 2 for SB 115 - Reported Out of Committee (Housing) in House with 5 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits

  6. 2025-06-12 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 2 for SB 115 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT

  7. 2025-06-12 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 2 for SB 115 - Assigned to Housing Committee in House

  8. 2025-06-11 Delaware General Assembly

    Substituted in Senate by SS 2 for SB 115

  9. 2025-06-10 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 1 for SB 115 - Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

  10. 2025-05-21 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 1 for SB 115 - Reported Out of Committee (Housing & Land Use) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

  11. 2025-05-21 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 1 for SB 115 - Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate

  12. 2025-05-20 Delaware General Assembly

    Substituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 115

  13. 2025-04-28 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Housing & Land Use Committee in Senate

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUMMARY POSSESSION.
This Act provides a pathway for former defendants in eviction actions to have the eviction filings against them expunged. Being the subject of an eviction filing can prevent an individual from securing housing for years after any judgement in the case has been satisfied. Even tenants who prevailed in eviction actions may be denied housing by landlords who turn away any applicant with a prior eviction filing, regardless of the outcome of the case. The well-known health, social, and economic consequences of eviction thus linger for years after an eviction filing, and trap individuals – including many children and families – in a cycle of poverty and housing insecurity. The effects are particularly acute among already marginalized groups, such as Black and female renters. By expunging eviction filings when an individual has met certain requirements, this Act will help break down barriers to stable housing and economic security.

Several states have already taken similar measures. In Mi