Skip to main content
Delaware House Democrats

House Passes Johnson Bill to Update Definitions of Groups Protected from Discrimination

April 29, 2021

DOVER – Acknowledging that state law contains some outdated terminology, lawmakers passed a measure Thursday aimed at updating the Delaware Code to make it consistent with federal law for several protected classes of people.

Sponsored by Rep. Kendra Johnson, House Bill 155 would revise the definitions of “sexual orientation,” “gender identity” and “disability” throughout several sections of the Delaware Code to be consistent and to make the terms more inclusive.

“Our code is a living, breathing document that needs to grow and evolve with the times. What was written and considered accurate or acceptable years ago might not be so today,” said Rep. Johnson, D-Bear. “Our laws should reflect the world in which we live today, and strive to be more inclusive and accepting. That is what we are doing with HB 155; we are making sure our laws are updated for 2021 and acknowledge the reality of our society.”

Sexual orientation was defined in the state’s non-discrimination laws in 2009 as “exclusively means heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.” HB 155 would remove “exclusively means” from the various sections of code and replace the phrase with “includes” to be more inclusive regarding how sexual orientation is defined.

HB 155 also would remove from code part of the 2013 definition of gender identity, deleting a requirement that one’s identity be “demonstrated by consistent and uniform assertion of the gender identity,” that it is “sincerely held as part of a person’s core identity,” and that it could not be “asserted for any improper purpose.”

“Delawareans should not have to prove that their core identity is not asserted for an improper purpose,” said Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Talleyville. “Casting doubt on an individual’s gender identity is never acceptable. Legal definitions used to describe our fellow Delawareans should be updated to reflect our values and made consistent across every section of our laws.” 

The bill also would amend the non-discrimination laws to update the definition of disability, making it consistent throughout the Delaware Code.

HB 155 heads to the Senate for consideration.

###

Recent Updates


Filter by Category

Rep. Harris Bill Would Protect 340B Drug Pricing Program in Delaware

On Thursday, lawmakers introduced legislation aimed at protecting a federal drug discount program, known as 340B, which is crucial for reducing the costs of prescription medications for underinsured and medically vulnerable Delawareans.  Sponsored by Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris and Sen. Sarah McBride, House Bill 383 seeks […]

House Passes Rep. Longhurst Bill to Curb Healthcare Cost Growth

DOVER – On Thursday, the House passed legislation aimed at reducing the alarming rise of healthcare costs by establishing greater transparency over hospital spending and pricing. Sponsored by House Speaker Valerie Longhurst, House Bill 350 (S) would address Delaware’s escalating hospital spending by creating […]

Addressing the Healthcare Cost Crisis: HB 350

Op Ed from Representatives of Delaware’s Public Sector Workforce For the last decade, experts from Delaware and around the country have sounded the alarm that hospital prices in Delaware are unsustainable and out-of-control. As representatives of Delaware’s public sector workforce, […]

House Passes End of Life Options Bill

DOVER- Terminally ill individuals in Delaware would be granted the right to choose the manner and timing of their own passing under legislation the House passed on Thursday. Sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach and Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, House […]

Addressing the Healthcare Cost Crisis: HB 350

Op Ed from Representatives of Delaware’s Public Sector Workforce For the last decade, experts from Delaware and around the country have sounded the alarm that hospital prices in Delaware are unsustainable and out-of-control. As representatives of Delaware’s public sector workforce, […]

National Apprenticeship Week

By Rep. Ed Osienski and Sen. Jack Walsh As legislative labor leaders and proud union members, we know there are paths to a prosperous career that don’t always involve a traditional college degree. We have seen more and more in […]

Rep. Harris Bill Would Protect 340B Drug Pricing Program in Delaware

On Thursday, lawmakers introduced legislation aimed at protecting a federal drug discount program, known as 340B, which is crucial for reducing the costs of prescription medications for underinsured and medically vulnerable Delawareans.  Sponsored by Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris and Sen. Sarah McBride, House Bill 383 seeks […]

House Passes Rep. Longhurst Bill to Curb Healthcare Cost Growth

DOVER – On Thursday, the House passed legislation aimed at reducing the alarming rise of healthcare costs by establishing greater transparency over hospital spending and pricing. Sponsored by House Speaker Valerie Longhurst, House Bill 350 (S) would address Delaware’s escalating hospital spending by creating […]

House Passes End of Life Options Bill

DOVER- Terminally ill individuals in Delaware would be granted the right to choose the manner and timing of their own passing under legislation the House passed on Thursday. Sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach and Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, House […]