KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SB255 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TINTING OF MOTOR VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, WINDOWS, OR SIDE WINGS.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TINTING OF MOTOR VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, WINDOWS, OR SIDE WINGS.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Last action
2026-05-21
Official status
SS 1 for SB 255 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on enforcement or penalties, nor does it clarify potential impacts on car tinting businesses.

Changing Rules on Car Window Tint

The act changes the rules for how dark car windows can be, allowing front side windows to have less light coming through while still being safe.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the rule so that front side windows of cars must let in at least 35% of visible light instead of 70%. This level is commonly used in other states and represents a reasonable balance between visibility for law enforcement and practical benefits for drivers.
  • Removes any rules about how much light needs to pass through the backside windows and rear window of a car.
  • Adds an exception for police vehicles, which do not need to follow these new rules.
  • Makes small changes to make sure the law follows official writing guidelines.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Car owners who want to tint their vehicle's front side windows.
  • Law enforcement officers and agencies with special needs for window tinting.

Terms To Know

Visible Light Transmission
The amount of light that can pass through a car window. It is measured as a percentage.
Technical Corrections
Small changes made to make sure the law follows official writing rules and guidelines.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how it will be enforced or what penalties there might be for breaking these new rules.
  • It is unclear if this act will affect car tinting businesses in Delaware.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-21 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 1 for SB 255 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

  2. 2026-05-20 Delaware General Assembly

    SS 1 for SB 255 - Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

  3. 2026-05-07 Delaware General Assembly

    Substituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 255

  4. 2026-03-11 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TINTING OF MOTOR VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, WINDOWS, OR SIDE WINGS.
Currently, window tint or other material placed on the front side windows of a motor vehicle must have a visible light transmission of 70% or greater unless the vehicle’s owner has a statement signed by a licensed practitioner of medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine or optometry verifying that tinted windows are medically necessary. Currently, there is not a visible light transmission requirement for the side windows behind the driver or the rear window.

This Act changes this requirement to permit window tint or other material that has a visible light transmission of 35% or greater. This level is commonly used in other states and represents a reasonable balance between visibility for law enforcement and practical benefits for drivers. This Act makes clear there is not a visible light transmission requirement for the side windows behind the driver or the rear window.

This Act clarifies the exception for vehicles operated by a law-enforcement officer by exempting these vehicles from this law.

This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.