Homeless Bill of Rights pulled from Delaware House committee's Wednesday agenda

DOVER — As lawmakers prepared to return from their two-week spring recess on Monday, the Bill of Rights for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness was pulled from Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee agenda.

House Substitute 2 for House Bill 55, sponsored by Rep. Sophie Phillips, D-Bear, has drawn pushback from Delaware’s business community regarding the protections the legislation extends for individuals who are homeless.

The initiative would ensure that all Delawareans – regardless of their housing status – have equal opportunities to live in “decent, safe, sanitary and healthful accommodations and enjoy equality of opportunity.”

Since the bill’s introduction in January 2023, the legislation was substituted with changes on March 14 and again on March 21.

Rep. Phillips’ proposal was considered during the March 27 House Judiciary Committee, but was not released by lawmakers to allow for further conversation amongst lawmakers and stakeholders.

Further, the legislation is not currently scheduled for consideration during the House Judiciary Committee's April 24 meeting.