Senate unanimously approves home-improvement dispute-resolution bill, adds three DOJ consumer unit positions

The Delaware Senate on June 25 unanimously passed House Bill 89, a consumer-protection measure that creates a structured dispute-resolution process for home-improvement complaints and strengthens enforcement tools against contractors who refuse to participate in good-faith mediation.

Sponsor Senator Huxtable told the chamber the bill responds to growing complaints of home-improvement fraud and is intended to protect vulnerable residents — including seniors and people with disabilities — while supporting reputable contractors. “This bill is about accountability and resolution,” Huxtable said.

Senator Lawson asked about the bill’s fiscal note. Brian Ang of the Delaware Department of Justice explained that the bill requires greater formality than the DOJ’s existing informal mediation process — certified-mail notices and additional casework — and that the fiscal note adds three full-time positions: two intake specialists to manage increased formal intake and one deputy attorney general to lead enforcement and investigations when cases cannot be resolved informally. Ang told the chamber the department already handles thousands of complaints per year and anticipated the new process would increase formal investigations. “We already crossed 4,000 complaints in a year… this year we’re on track to be over 5,000,” Ang said, and the bill’s new enforcement authority and procedures justify the additional positions.

Supporters noted the bill was developed with the DOJ’s Consumer Protection Unit and has backing from consumer groups; the Senate recorded 21 yes votes and declared the bill passed.

The bill’s provisions include making a contractor’s failure to participate meaningfully in the dispute-resolution process a willful violation of the Consumer Fraud Act and allowing, in certain circumstances, enhanced (including treble) damages for harmed consumers. The sponsor said the fiscal implications reflected positions already included in the recently passed budget.