Bill > HB37

This bill amends Delaware's Equal Accommodations Law by expanding and clarifying the definition of "person" and "place of public accommodation" to ensure broader anti-discrimination protections. The bill defines "person" to include a wide range of entities such as corporations, partnerships, governmental bodies, and other legal or commercial entities. The definition of "place of public accommodation" is significantly broadened to explicitly include state and local government agencies, public libraries, entities receiving state funding to perform public functions, and organizations operating under government supervision. The bill maintains existing exclusions for certain types of housing rentals, such as dwellings and small tourist homes with fewer than 10 rental units. The bill's implementation is contingent on the passage of House Bill No. 36, with different effective dates depending on whether that bill passes and is enacted by July 1, 2025. The primary goal is to ensure that all government services and government-funded services are subject to the same non-discrimination requirements as private businesses, thereby expanding protections against discrimination based on race, age, marital status, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142287