DelawareCourts may award legal fees in sexual misconduct and discrimination cases
For claims under the Act involving sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination, a court may award attorneys’ fees and costs at its discretion.
What it does
For claims covered by the Act, a court may award attorneys’ fees and costs. The amendment removes the prior listed-damages language and leaves the award to the court’s discretion.
Argument forCourts could tailor legal-fee awards to each case, instead of having to award the listed damages.
Argument againstPeople who win these claims might not recover their legal fees, since the court would have discretion over whether to award them.
More detail
A court may award attorneys’ fees and costs. This applies to claims under the Act concerning sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination; the amendment itself does not further define the covered claims. The amendment does not require a fee award.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 14Signed by Governor Matt MeyerBecame Law
- Jul 1Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENTPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 24Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 18Assigned to Judiciary Committee in SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 18Passed By House. Votes: 30 YES 9 NO 2 ABSENTPassed House
- Jun 18Amendment HA 1 to HB 355 - Passed In House by Voice VoteMajor
- May 13Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 1 Favorable, 5 On Its MeritsMinor
- Apr 16Amendment HA 1 to HB 355 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Apr 9Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in HouseIntroduced
Civil Rights & VotingCriminal Justice