Bill Sponsor
Delaware Senate Bill 26
Session 153
An Act To Amend Title 19 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Unemployment Compensation.
Became Law
Became Law
Signed by Governor on Sep 30, 2026
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
26
State
Delaware
Session
153
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Republican
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Democrat
Primary
Summary
Under current Delaware law, if a labor dispute constitutes a lockout, employees who meet all other eligibility requirements qualify for unemployment benefits from the date they file their claim. However, if a labor dispute does not constitute a lockout, employees do not qualify for (i.e. are disqualified from receiving) unemployment benefits. This Act changes the law to allow an employee who is subject to a labor dispute, other than a lockout, to collect unemployment benefits after a 2-week waiting period, if the employee meets all the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits, including being able and available for work and completing weekly job requirements. This Act provides that the 2-week waiting period established by this Act is waived if one or both of the following apply: (1) The labor dispute is caused by the failure or refusal of the employer to comply with an agreement or contract between the employer and the individual, including a collective bargaining agreement with a union representing the individual, or a State or federal law pertaining to hours, wages, or other conditions of work. (2) The employer hires a permanent replacement worker for the individual's position. The Department of Labor may impose a penalty on an employer who fraudulently certifies the ability of an employee to return to the employee’s prior position on conclusion of the labor dispute. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Actions (7)
09/30/2026
Office of the Governor
Signed by Governor
05/05/2026
House
Passed By House. Votes: 26 YES 9 NO 6 ABSENT
03/10/2026
House
Reported Out of Committee (Labor) in House with 2 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits
01/14/2026
House
Assigned to Labor Committee in House
01/13/2026
Senate
Passed By Senate. Votes: 16 YES 5 NO
04/09/2025
Senate
Reported Out of Committee (Labor) in Senate with 5 Favorable
01/03/2025
Senate
Introduced and Assigned to Labor Committee in Senate
Sources
Record Created
Jan 3, 2025 4:02:19 PM
Record Updated
Oct 1, 2026 7:20:59 PM