Senate approves home‑improvement dispute resolution bill after DOJ fiscal briefing

The Delaware Senate unanimously approved House Bill 89 on June 25, a consumer‑protection bill that creates a stepwise dispute‑resolution process for home‑improvement complaints and strengthens enforcement against contractors who refuse to participate in good faith.

Sponsor Senator Huxtable described rising complaints about home‑improvement fraud targeting seniors and other vulnerable residents and said the bill was developed with the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Unit and supported by groups including AARP and the NAACP. "This bill is about accountability and resolution," the sponsor said on the floor.

Brian Ang of the Delaware Department of Justice explained the fiscal note: the bill formalizes what had been an informal mediation intake system and therefore adds three full‑time equivalent positions — two intake specialists and a deputy attorney general to manage enforcement when cases require it. "Last year was the first year we crossed 4,000 complaints in a year. This year, we're on track to be over 5,000," Ang said, explaining the need for certified‑mail notices and more formal case management under the bill.

Senators asked for clarifications on the fiscal note and scope; Huxtable noted that the funding implications had already been accounted for in the recently passed budget. The Senate then approved HB 89 as amended by roll call, 21–0.

Next steps: The bill was declared passed to the Senate and will proceed in the process required to be enrolled and sent to the governor.