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SB85 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VULNERABLE ADULTS.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VULNERABLE ADULTS.

Crime
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Huxtable
Last action
2025-04-03
Official status
Senate Judiciary 4/3/25
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on how the law will be enforced or what happens after someone is found guilty, leaving these aspects unclear.

Protecting Vulnerable Adults

This act makes it a crime for someone responsible for taking care of an elderly or disabled adult to harm them, and requires two-thirds approval from both houses of the Delaware General Assembly.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new law that says hurting or neglecting vulnerable adults is against the rules.
  • Defines 'vulnerable adult' as someone who needs extra help because they are sick, old, or have trouble thinking clearly.
  • Makes it illegal to do things that could hurt these people or not take care of them properly.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who are in charge of taking care of elderly or disabled adults
  • Vulnerable adults themselves

Terms To Know

vulnerable adult
An older person or someone with a disability who needs help to stay safe and healthy.
class A misdemeanor
A serious crime that can lead to jail time and fines.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the law will be enforced or what happens after someone is found guilty.
  • It requires a two-thirds vote from both houses of the Delaware General Assembly to pass.

Bill History

  1. 2025-04-03 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VULNERABLE ADULTS.
This Act creates the criminal offense of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult. A person found guilty of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 28 of Article IV of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Griffith

Sen. Wilson; Reps. Burns, Snyder-Hall

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 85

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VULNERABLE ADULTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Chapter 5, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1105A. Endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult; class A misdemeanor.

(a) A person is guilty of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult when the person being a guardian or any other person who has assumed responsibility for the care or supervision of the vulnerable adult the person:

(1) Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental, or moral welfare of the vulnerable adult; or

(2) Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly does or fails to do any act, including failing to report a missing vulnerable adult, with the result that the vulnerable adult becomes a neglected or abused adult.

(b) “Vulnerable adult” means a person 18 years of age or older who, by reason of isolation, sickness, debilitation, mental illness or physical, mental, or cognitive disability, is easily susceptible to abuse, neglect, mistreatment, maltreatment, intimidation, manipulation, coercion, or exploitation. Without limitation, the term “vulnerable adult” includes any adult for whom a guardian or the person or property had been appointed.

(c) Endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult is a class A misdemeanor.

SYNOPSIS

This Act creates the criminal offense of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult. A person found guilty of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable adult is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 28 of Article IV of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly.

Author: Senator Huxtable