SB157 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROVIDING FOR AN ADDITIONAL FAMILY COURT JUDGE IN SUSSEX COUNTY.

Children

Enacted

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

Sponsor: Sokola
Last action: 2025-05-27
Official status: Signed 5/27/25
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not specify whether the new judge must reside in Sussex County or how they will be appointed.

Adding a Family Court Judge in Sussex County

This act adds one more judge to Delaware's Family Court system specifically for Sussex County.

What This Bill Does

Increases the total number of Family Court judges from 17 to 18.
Adds one additional judge position in Sussex County.

Who It Names or Affects

People involved in Family Court cases in Sussex County
Family Court judges and staff

Terms To Know

Family Court Judge: A judge who handles family-related legal issues such as divorce, child custody, and domestic violence.
Sussex County: One of the three counties in Delaware, located in the southern part of the state.

Limits and Unknowns

The exact date when this act becomes effective is not specified.
It does not mention how to select or appoint the new judge.

Bill History

2025-05-27 Delaware General Assembly
Signed by Governor
2025-05-22 Delaware General Assembly
Suspension of Rules in House
2025-05-22 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By House. Votes: 35 YES 6 ABSENT
2025-05-21 Delaware General Assembly
Assigned to Administration Committee in House
2025-05-20 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in Senate
2025-05-20 Delaware General Assembly
Suspension of Rules in Senate
2025-05-20 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROVIDING FOR AN ADDITIONAL FAMILY COURT JUDGE IN SUSSEX COUNTY.
This Act increases the total number of Family Court judges from 17 to 18 to provide for 1 additional judge in Sussex County, which was funded in the fiscal year 2025 budget signed by the Governor on June 30, 2024.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Sokola & Sen. Townsend & Sen. Lockman & Rep. Minor-Brown & Rep. Harris & Rep. Osienski & Sen. Pettyjohn

Sens. Brown, Buckson, Cruce, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Pinkney, Poore, Richardson, Seigfried, Sturgeon, Walsh, Wilson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 157

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROVIDING FOR AN ADDITIONAL FAMILY COURT JUDGE IN SUSSEX COUNTY.

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

Section 1. Amend § 906, Title 10 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 906. Judges; selection; designation; qualifications; terms; vacancies; salaries.

(b) The Court shall be composed of

17 Judges

18 Judges

of equal judicial authority. One Judge shall be the Chief Judge. No more than a majority of 1 Judge shall be members of the same political party.

(e) All of the Judges shall be residents of the State for a period of 5 years immediately prior to their appointment. The Chief Judge may reside in any county of the State. After appointment, 10 of the Judges shall reside in New Castle County, 3 Judges shall reside in Kent County, and

3 Judges

4 Judges

shall reside in Sussex County.

SYNOPSIS

This Act increases the total number of Family Court judges from 17 to 18 to provide for 1 additional judge in Sussex County, which was funded in the fiscal year 2025 budget signed by the Governor on June 30, 2024.

Author: Senator Sokola