2026 Delaware Education Legislative Updates

Signed by the Governor

As of April 24, 2026, no bills have been signed into law by Matt Meyer for the 2026 legislative session. In the Delaware General Assembly, the legislative cycle runs from January through June 30, and while bills are introduced and passed throughout the session, governors typically begin signing legislation later in the spring or early summer once more bills have cleared both chambers, making it common for there to be a delay between the start of the session and the first bill signings.

Visit Delaware Assembly to read more
Visit Delaware Assembly to read more

Legislation Awaiting Governor’s Signature

Senate Bill 106 (Passed 3/12/26): Each school district and charter school must adopt a student cell phone use policy governing use during school hours. 

Senate Concurrent Resolution 147 (Passed 3/12/26): Recognizing the 125th anniversary of Delaware libraries by commending librarians and school and community advocates.  

Senate Joint Resolution 12 (Passed 4/21/26): Extending the existence of the Juvenile Justice Educational Transitions Task Force and deadline for the Task Force's final report until July 31, 2026.

Additional Bills Advancing

House Bill 214 (Out of Committee 4/15/26) : Adjustments made to the Interagency Committee on autism.

Senate Bill 227 (Awaiting Consideration in Committee 4/21/26): Transfers school funding equalization review and recommendations to the Public Education Funding Commission.  

House Bill 309 (Discussing in Senate Education Committee 4/21/26): The Delaware Department of Education will acquire responsibilities previously given to school districts regarding services for students with autism and aid schools. 

Senate Bill 253 (Out of Committee 4/15/26):Schools must immediately notify parents of any school bullying instances.

House Bill 313 (Out of Committee 3/18/26):Codifies the Education Unit in the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF). The Education Unit provides educational services to children and youth residing in facilities operated by DSCYF.

House Bill 267 (Out of Committee 4/15/26):Provides that each school district and charter school must report three times a year to the DOE, the number and percentage of students, disaggregated by grade and by individual school, identified with a potential reading deficiency, including characteristics of dyslexia, pursuant to mandated literary screening, and the literacy intervention approaches being provided.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 156 (Discussing in House Education Committee (4/16/26):Requesting the Delaware Department Of Eduction to develop a working group to support comprehensive health educaion standards and programming K-12.

Why This Matters and Our Prespective

Delaware’s 2026 education legislation places a stronger focus on transparency, accountability, and the role of school boards in shaping local policy. These updates expand public access to decision-making, elevate expectations around student outcomes, and increase coordination across state and local systems.

At First State Educate, we believe effective school board governance is essential to improving student outcomes. These changes create both new opportunities and responsibilities for boards to lead with clarity, engage their communities, and ensure policies translate into meaningful results for students.

First State Educate supports legislation that strengthens governance, transparency, and student outcomes:

  • Supporting transparency and clear governance roles:
    HB 78 (meeting recordings) and SB 106 (cell phone policy) improve public access and reinforce the board’s role in setting clear, locally informed policies.

  • Supporting accountability for student outcomes:
    HB 267 (literacy reporting) and SB 253 (bullying notification) increase visibility into student needs and district performance, though strong implementation will be key.

  • Supporting system coordination with clear expectations:
    SJR 12 (student reentry) and HB 313 (DSCYF education services) address critical gaps in student support, but require clearer guidance on standards and transitions.

  • Supporting funding equity efforts:
    SB 227 and HCR 78 move Delaware toward a more equitable and transparent funding system, with important implications for local board decision-making.

We encourage continued clarity in legislation where roles and responsibilities between boards, districts, and state agencies remain undefined to ensure effective implementation.