SB259 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 AND TITLE 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Last action: 2026-05-19
Official status: Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 6 On Its Merits
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on what happens if buildings do not meet new requirements or how removing map publication affects public safety.

Changes to Emergency Communication Systems

This act updates rules for bi-directional amplifiers in large buildings being modified or renovated and removes some outdated requirements.

What This Bill Does

Updates the rules for bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs) in buildings larger than 25,000 square feet that are being modified or renovated.
Removes language pertaining to an advisor committee that is no longer needed.
Stops the Department of Safety and Homeland Security from publishing maps showing which buildings have special communication technologies.

Who It Names or Affects

Builders and contractors working on large building renovations or modifications.
Emergency responders who use emergency communication systems in buildings.

Terms To Know

Bi-directional Amplifiers (BDAs): Devices that help improve the quality of radio signals inside buildings, especially for emergency communications.
Grid Acceptance Test (GAT): A test to ensure a building has good coverage for emergency communication systems.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if buildings do not meet the new requirements.
It is unclear how removing the map requirement will affect public safety.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SA 1

1 • Poore

Passed

Plain English: Passed 1 by Poore

The official amendment file could not be read automatically during the last sync, so only the official amendment metadata is shown right now.

Bill History

2026-05-19 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 6 On Its Merits
2026-05-06 Delaware General Assembly
Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House
2026-05-05 Delaware General Assembly
Amendment SA 1 to SB 259 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
2026-05-05 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
2026-04-30 Delaware General Assembly
Amendment SA 1 to SB 259 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
2026-04-22 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Corrections & Public Safety) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
2026-03-17 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Corrections & Public Safety Committee in Senate

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 AND TITLE 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
This Act proposes modifications to the in-building regulations regarding bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs). Currently, buildings that are modified or renovated to exceed 25,000 square feet are not required to meet the GAT (Grid Acceptance Test) at 95% compliance for 800 MHz public safety in-building communications coverage, as is required for new buildings. In some cases, contractors are tearing down all but one exterior wall and rebuilding which has drawn concern from Division of Communications. The BDA helps to maintain quality in-building communications and to prevent “dead zone” areas so emergency public safety personnel can communicate during a response to an emergency situation.

This Act also removes language pertaining to an advisor committee that is no longer needed. The Act also removes the requirement that the Department of Safety and Homeland Security publish a map of buildings with these communication technologies due to safety concerns.