Delaware Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence (Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence, Enhance Information-Sharing): Delaware Governor Signed Final Legislation

Demographic Data

State residents include:

3,791 active-duty service members
1,345 active-duty spouses
2,450 active-duty children
- 1,484 children in K-12
4,625 National Guard and reserve members
1,907 National Guard and reserve spouses
3,196 National Guard and reserve children
- 2,058 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Christopher Arnold

Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison

Mid-Atlantic Region

DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became Mid-Atlantic region liaison in 2020. Prior to joining the DSLO, he spent eight years as a top-level staffer in both houses of the New York legislature, four years as director of public affairs in New York's third-largest city and three years managing several units of county government. Mr. Arnold is a former journalist and U.S. Army combat veteran.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts15/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

06/09/2021HB141

05/14/2021HB21

08/04/2021

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact Final Legislation

Under the APRN Compact, Delaware nurse practitioners (APRNs) will be able to provide care to patients across state lines without having to obtain additional licenses. This is beneficial to APRNs, employers, state licensing boards and also increases consumer access to licensed APRNs.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Athletic Trainer Compact

07/01/2026HB285

04/16/2026HB285

07/23/2026

Athletic Trainer Compact Final Legislation

Governor Matt Meyer signed legislation authorizing Delaware to join the Athletic Trainers Compact, which provides military spouses and all practitioners of the occupation with a privilege to practice across state lines without having to apply for an additional instate license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

06/29/2022SB272

06/07/2022SB272

08/04/2022

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

Governor Carney signed legislation by Senator Kyle Evans Gay and Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker joining the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

05/20/2026SB 217

06/11/2026

Cosmetology Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Eric Buckson, Delaware joined the Cosmetology Compact, which was developed under the cooperative agreement between the Council of State Governments and the War Department to provide military spouses with a multistate license during their relocation between Compact member states.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

09/15/2017

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Delaware joins the Recognition of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA). Chapter 178 of 2017

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

07/01/2025SB 107

09/26/2025

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists Final Legislation

Delaware became the seventh state to enact the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, which was developed under a cooperative agreement between the Department of Defense and the Council of State Governments.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

05/22/2024SB188

01/10/2024SB188

08/29/2024

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Final Legislation

Delaware joined the the interstate compact for teacher licensure, which can help states attract and retain talent, combat teacher shortages, and leverage talent from other states.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

05/03/2022SB257

06/29/2022SB257

08/04/2022

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

Governor Carney signed legislation by Senator Kyle Evans Gay and Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker joining the Licensed Professional Counselor's Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

06/30/2017

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Delaware joined the Enhance Nurse Licensure Compact. Chap 50 of 2017

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

06/29/2022SB247

04/12/2022SB247

08/04/2022

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Governor Carney signed legislation by Senator Kyle Evans Gay and Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker joining the Interstate Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

06/30/2019SB83

06/11/2019SB83

07/30/2019

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

This Act adopts the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. The Compact benefits the public by improving continuity of care, increasing license portability for military spouses, and increasing access to physical therapy providers.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

06/27/2023SB 116

06/08/2023SB 116

07/21/2023

Physician Associates Compact Final Legislation

Delaware became the second state to enact the Physician Assistants Compact in July 2023. The compact will become operation when seven states have adopted it, and it may take up to 24 months for it to become fully operational after its activation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

05/20/2026SB 216

03/24/2026SB 216

06/11/2026

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Final Legislation

Thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Eric Buckson, Delaware joined the Respiratory Care Compact, which was developed under the cooperative agreement between the Council of State Governments and the War Department to provide military spouses with a privilege to practice during their relocation between Compact member states.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

06/11/2019HB172

06/20/2019HB172

06/27/2019

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

This Act, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), is an interstate compact designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries.\n

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

07/01/2025SB 109

08/25/2025

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Delaware became the 30th state to join the Social Work Compact, which provides military spouses with the ability to practice in compact member states with a multistate license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Spouse Employment Preference0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Exigency in Paid Family Leave

Military Exigency in Unpaid Family Leave

11/26/2025

Military Exigency in Unpaid Family Leave Final Legislation

Delaware paid leave is available to family members of service members serving overseas. However, the program fails to cover individuals subject to other activations. The interpretation of qualifying military events must be clarified.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

License Issuance and Reporting Uniformity

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers1/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

09/30/2025

Streamline Requirements Final Legislation

There is no formal deadline to register, however, Delaware requires annual reporting of enrollment and attendance.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

07/01/2025HB 121

07/24/2025

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes Final Legislation

A new law sponsored by Representative Nnamdi Chuwuocha exempts DoD-certified Family Child Care Providers which serve military families from duplicative state licensing requirements.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Support of Military Families with Special Education Needs

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Education Policy Implementation Enhancements2/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment Enhancements

09/30/2025

Advance Enrollment Enhancements Final Legislation

Delaware has outlined clear procedural guidance and use of standardized enrollment applications to operationalize the state’s provisions.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Student Identifier Enhancements

09/30/2025

Military Student Identifier Enhancements Final Legislation

Delaware has comprehensive data available at all levels (school, district, state). This data covers both enrollment and achievement and information for families and school staff on the easily accessible state education agency website.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Education Compact Enhancements

09/30/2025

Education Compact Enhancements Final Legislation

Delaware's model is the best practice for accessibility to clarify requirements and procedures to improve implementation of the Education Compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Purple Star Schools Program Enhancements

09/30/2025

Purple Star Schools Program Enhancements Final Legislation

Delaware has a written law that includes all specified requirements of the model policy, including a recertification process. This information is easy to find on a dedicated state webpage for military families.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/22/2024HB 354

07/29/2024

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

Delaware enacted a new law which creates a priority category for military-connected students during open enrollment in both public schools and charter schools.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/22/2024HB 356

07/29/2024

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction Final Legislation

Delaware enacted legislation to allow the transfer of juvenile jurisdiction on military installations to the relevant family court, allowing for more appropriate case management. The law was sponsored by Representative Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Senator Kyle Evans Gay.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

07/01/2026HB218

06/12/2026HB218

09/18/2026

Enhance Information-Sharing Final Legislation

Under the law authored by Representative Nnamdi Chukwuocha, military protection orders (MPOs) can be used as evidence when applying for a temporary Delaware civilian protective order. If an individual subject to an MPO violates a Delaware civilian protective order, the law enforcement agency responding to the civilian violation will notify the law enforcement agency responsible for the MPO that there is probable cause it has been violated.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

07/01/2026HB218

06/12/2026HB218

09/18/2026

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2027

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2027

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