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SB47 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 1 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO A NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING DUE TO THE DEATH OF A CURRENT OR FORMER PRESIDENT.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 1 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO A NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING DUE TO THE DEATH OF A CURRENT OR FORMER PRESIDENT.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Pettyjohn
Last action
2025-01-21
Official status
Senate Elections & Government Affairs 1/21/25
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official status label says 'Passed Legislature' but the digest notes it is still awaiting committee consideration; this creates uncertainty about whether the law has actually been enacted.

Closing Delaware Government Offices for Presidential Days of Mourning

This bill makes state government offices in Delaware close when the federal government declares a National Day of Mourning after a current or former U.S. President dies.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes a federal National Day of Mourning for a president's death into a legal holiday in Delaware.
  • Requires all State government offices to be closed on that day.

Who It Names or Affects

  • State government offices in Delaware

Terms To Know

National Day of Mourning
A federal declaration made when a current or former President dies.
Legal holiday
An official day recognized by state law where State government offices must close.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill only applies to the death of a current or former President.
  • The effective date is not listed in the provided source material.

Bill History

  1. 2025-01-21 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 1 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO A NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING DUE TO THE DEATH OF A CURRENT OR FORMER PRESIDENT.
This Act establishes that State government offices are to close when a National Day of Mourning is declared due to the death of a current or former President.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Pettyjohn & Rep. Carson

Sens. Lawson, Mantzavinos, Sturgeon, Wilson; Reps. Griffith, Hilovsky, K. Johnson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 47

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 1 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO A NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING DUE TO THE DEATH OF A CURRENT OR FORMER PRESIDENT.

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

Section 1. Amend Chapter 6, Title 1 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§610. Day of Mourning Due to the Death of a Current or Former President.

A federal National Day of Mourning that is declared due to the death of a current or former President of the United States is a legal holiday in this State, and State government offices must be closed.

SYNOPSIS

This Act establishes that State government offices are to close when a National Day of Mourning is declared due to the death of a current or former President.

Author: Senator Pettyjohn