HB 203 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DELAWARE ACT.

Sen.Rep.

HoffnerHilovsky DELAWARE& STATERep. SENATE 153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE AMENDMENT NO.

1Collins TO& HOUSERep. SUBSTITUTE NO.

Dukes & Rep.

Hensley & Rep.

Jones Giltner & Rep.

Postles & Rep.

Shupe & Rep.

Kamela Smith & Rep.

Michael Smith & Rep.

K.

Williams & Sen.

Hoffner & Sen.

Huxtable Reps.

Gray, D.

Short, Yearick, Romer, Neal, Snyder-Hall, Minor-Brown, Harris, Ortega;

Sens.

Hocker, Mantzavinos, Wilson, Pettyjohn, Lockman, Buckson, Pinkney, Richardson HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE SUBSTITUTE NO.

203 AN ACT TO AMEND HouseTITLE Substitute14 No.OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DELAWARE ACT.

1WHEREAS, forfinancial Houseliteracy Billis No.a necessary skill set to enable all students to reach their full potential in life regardless of zip code;

203and onWHEREAS, linefinancial 50literacy byeducation insertingelevates “orthe elective”financial aftersituation “Studies” and beforeopportunities “credits”of therein.individuals, families, and communities;

AMENDand HouseWHEREAS, Substitutefinancial No.literacy coursework and knowledge has measurable impacts on future success in life for all participants;

1and forWHEREAS, Housean Billindependent No.2024 study by think tank Tyton Partners reports that a ½ credit financial literacy course in Delaware adds an estimated $116,000 lifetime benefit to each student;

203and onWHEREAS, linenot 58requiring byfinancial deletingliteracy “legislationeducation for all graduating high school students in accordancethis withState thewill following:”result asin itdelaying appearsor thereinreducing andlifelong insertingsuccess in lieuachieving thereofpersonal theaspirations following:and lifelong goals;

“legislation.”.and WHEREAS, in 2020, the NAACP passed a resolution to advocate for financial literacy education in schools, stating “present and future financial sustainability of a financially strong Black community is dependent on African- Americans becoming more financially literate today so that tomorrow the African-American community will have a fighting chance to close the ever widening financial literacy equity gap that has always existed between Whites and Blacks in America”;

AMENDand HouseWHEREAS, Substitutedata No.from the FINRA Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study, spanning 12 years from 2009 to 2021, indicates only 24% of the Hispanic population are rated as financially literate and only 14% of those in the 18 to 34 age group are financially literate.

1Overall, forHispanic Housewomen Billare No.only 14% financially literate and only 32% of Hispanic males are financially literate;

203 on lines by deleting lines 59 through 61 in their entirety and insertingHR in: lieu thereof the following:

“(f)RDS The: ½ credit must be aligned to the current Financial Literacy Standards.”.

SYNOPSISAFJ ThisPage Amendment to House Substitute 1 forof House3 BillReleased: 203 would allow students to obtain a ½ credit for financial literacy through Social Studies or elective curriculum.

Author:06/10/2025 10:20 AM WHEREAS, according to a Social Security Administration report, Native Americans recorded the lowest average financial literacy scores in all age groups when compared to other demographic groups;

Senatorand HoffnerWHEREAS, SDthe :NAACP resolution, the FINRA Foundation’s study, and the Social Security Administration report highlight the need to provide this necessary life skill to all high school students of all races;

JHand :WHEREAS, a public better educated in personal financial literacy will serve the greater good and enhance the workforce, competitiveness, and economic development of this State;

CBKand PageWHEREAS, 1the State of 1Delaware Released:previously adopted Financial Literacy Content Standards as separate and distinct from Social Studies Standards and content areas;

06/24/2025and 09:48WHEREAS, PMinstruction 0111530065aligned to Financial Literacy Content Standards is distinct from and is not a replacement for instruction aligned to Economics or other social studies content area standards;

and WHEREAS, national education organizations, including the National Council for the Social Studies, include financial literacy as a part of a comprehensive social studies program and consider it an important course for students.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1.

Amend Subchapter I, Chapter 41, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows: