HB 356 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PFAS IN FIREFIGHTING FOAM AND EQUIPMENT.
Last action — Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has passed the House. Introduced May 07, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Passed House
Current position in the legislative process.
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17 sponsors
17 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (13 D · 4 R) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill bans PFAS chemicals in certain firefighting foam and equipment by 2028.
This Act prohibits the sale of firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting January 1, 2028, with specific exemptions for bulk petroleum facilities. Manufacturers must inform customers of this ban and ensure proper disposal of PFAS foam.
What this means for you
- Workers: Firefighters and related workers may benefit from improved safety information regarding PFAS in firefighting equipment.
- Environment: This bill aims to reduce the environmental impact of harmful PFAS chemicals in firefighting practices.
Summary
This Act prohibits the sale of class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting January 1, 2028. An exception is provided for a bulk petroleum facility, provided that the bulk petroleum facility applies to DNREC for a 5-year exemption. The exemption period may be extended for additional 2-year periods, up to a total of 13 years. If an exempt bulk petroleum facility uses foam containing PFAS chemicals, they must notify DNREC. Under this Act, a manufacturer must notify its customers in the State regarding the prohibition of firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals by January 1, 2027. By March 1, 2028, the manufacturer must recall or reimburse purchasers, unless the purchaser is exempt as a bulk petroleum facility. The recall must include the safe transport and storage of PFAS-containing firefighting foam until the Department identifies a safe disposal technology. A manufacturer in violation of this Act is subject to a $5,000 civil penalty for a first offense and a $10,000 for a second, or subsequent offense. Finally, this Act requires that firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) that contains PFAS chemicals be sold with a written notice that states that the PPE contains PFAS chemicals. The manufacturer or seller of the PPE must retain the written notice on file for at least 3 years from the date of transaction. Failure to provide written notice of PFAS chemicals in PPE will subject the manufacturer or seller to a civil penalty of $100 per occurrence. House Substitute 1 to HB 356 differs from HB 356 in the following ways: (1) It replaces the term “terminal” with the broader term “bulk petroleum facility” which clarifies those facilities that may apply for an exemption under this Act. (2) Clarifies the definition of PFAS or polyfluoroalkyl substances. (3) Extends the exemption period for bulk petroleum facilities from 1 to 5 years. (4) Provides additional 2-year extensions to the 5-year exemption period, so long as the total exemption period does not exceed 13 years. (5) Permits a bulk petroleum facility to use PFAS-containing firefighting foam to aid another facility. (6) Removes the requirement that DNREC assist state agencies and local governments in identifying and obtaining class B firefighting foam that does not contain PFAS chemicals.
Bill Text
- Bill Text View text Current pdf
Action History
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Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
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Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 7 On Its Merits
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Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
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Passed By House. Votes: 35 YES 1 NO 5 ABSENT
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Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 10 On Its Merits
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Adopted in lieu of the original bill HB 356, and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House
Sponsors
- David L. Wilson · Primary
- John "Jack" Walsh · Primary
- Marie Pinkney · Primary
- Brian Pettyjohn · Primary
- Russell Huxtable · Primary
- Claire Snyder-Hall · Primary
- Edward S. Osienski · Primary
- Eric Morrison · Primary
- Ray Seigfried · Primary
- Franklin D. Cooke · Primary
- Darius J. Brown · Primary
- Daniel B. Short · Primary
- Shannon Morris · Primary
- Spiros Mantzavinos · Primary
- William J. Carson · Primary
- Frank Burns · Primary
- Melanie Ross Levin · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →17 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 45 not signed on · 1 voted No
Sponsors (17)
- David L. Wilson Republican
- John "Jack" Walsh Democratic
- Marie Pinkney Democratic
- Brian Pettyjohn Republican
- Russell Huxtable Democratic
- Claire Snyder-Hall Democratic
- Edward S. Osienski Democratic
- Eric Morrison Democratic
- Ray Seigfried Democratic
- Franklin D. Cooke Democratic
- Darius J. Brown Democratic
- Daniel B. Short Republican
- Shannon Morris Republican
- Spiros Mantzavinos Democratic
- William J. Carson Democratic
- Frank Burns Democratic
- Melanie Ross Levin Democratic
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (45)
45 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 45 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (21)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Bryan Townsend | Democratic | Yea |
| Daniel Cruce | Democratic | Yea |
| Darius J. Brown | Democratic | Yea |
| David P. Sokola | Democratic | Yea |
| John "Jack" Walsh | Democratic | Yea |
| Kyra L. Hoffner | Democratic | Yea |
| Laura V. Sturgeon | Democratic | Yea |
| Marie Pinkney | Democratic | Yea |
| Nicole Poore | Democratic | Yea |
| Ray Seigfried | Democratic | Yea |
| Russell Huxtable | Democratic | Yea |
| S. Elizabeth Lockman | Democratic | Yea |
| Spiros Mantzavinos | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephanie L. Hansen | Democratic | Yea |
| Trey Paradee | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Pettyjohn | Republican | Yea |
| Bryant L. Richardson | Republican | Yea |
| Dave G. Lawson | Republican | Yea |
| David L. Wilson | Republican | Yea |
| Eric Buckson | Republican | Yea |
| Gerald W. Hocker | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 26 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 35 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 85% | 2% | 0% | 12% |
How each member voted (41)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Alonna Berry | Democratic | Yea |
| Claire Snyder-Hall | Democratic | Yea |
| Cyndie Romer | Democratic | Yea |
| DeShanna U Neal | Democratic | Yea |
| Debra Heffernan | Democratic | Yea |
| Edward S. Osienski | Democratic | Yea |
| Eric Morrison | Democratic | Yea |
| Frank Burns | Democratic | Yea |
| Franklin D. Cooke | Democratic | Yea |
| Josue O Ortega | Democratic | Yea |
| Kamela T Smith | Democratic | Yea |
| Kendra Johnson | Democratic | Yea |
| Kerri Evelyn Harris | Democratic | Yea |
| Kimberly Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Krista Griffith | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Larry Lambert | Democratic | Yea |
| Madinah Wilson-Anton | Democratic | Yea |
| Mara Gorman | Democratic | Yea |
| Melanie Ross Levin | Democratic | Yea |
| Melissa Minor-Brown | Democratic | Yea |
| Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha | Democratic | Yea |
| Sean M. Lynn | Democratic | Yea |
| Sherae'a Moore | Democratic | Yea |
| Sophie Phillips | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephanie T. Bolden | Democratic | Yea |
| William Bush | Democratic | Yea |
| William J. Carson | Democratic | Yea |
| Bryan W. Shupe | Republican | Yea |
| Charles S Postles Jr. | Republican | Not Voting |
| Daniel B. Short | Republican | Not Voting |
| Jeff Hilovsky | Republican | Nay |
| Jeffrey N. Spiegelman | Republican | Yea |
| Jesse R. Vanderwende | Republican | Yea |
| Kevin S Hensley | Republican | Not Voting |
| Lyndon D. Yearick | Republican | Yea |
| Michael F. Smith | Republican | Not Voting |
| Richard G. Collins | Republican | Yea |
| Ronald E. Gray | Republican | Yea |
| Shannon Morris | Republican | Yea |
| Timothy D. Dukes | Republican | Yea |
| Valerie Jones Giltner | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 356 do?
- This Act prohibits the sale of class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting January 1, 2028. An exception is provided for a bulk petroleum facility, provided that the bulk petroleum facility applies to DNREC for a 5-year exemption. The exemption period may be extended for additional 2-year periods, up to a total of 13 years. If an exempt bulk petroleum facility uses foam containing PFAS chemicals, they must notify DNREC. Under this Act, a manufacturer must notify its customers in the State regarding the prohibition of firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals by January 1, 2027. By March 1, 2028, the manufacturer must recall or reimburse purchasers, unless the purchaser is exempt as a bulk petroleum facility. The recall must include the safe transport and storage of PFAS-containing firefighting foam until the Department identifies a safe disposal technology. A manufacturer in violation of this Act is subject to a $5,000 civil penalty for a first offense and a $10,000 for a second, or subsequent offense. Finally, this Act requires that firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) that contains PFAS chemicals be sold with a written notice that states that the PPE contains PFAS chemicals. The manufacturer or seller of the PPE must retain the written notice on file for at least 3 years from the date of transaction. Failure to provide written notice of PFAS chemicals in PPE will subject the manufacturer or seller to a civil penalty of $100 per occurrence. House Substitute 1 to HB 356 differs from HB 356 in the following ways: (1) It replaces the term “terminal” with the broader term “bulk petroleum facility” which clarifies those facilities that may apply for an exemption under this Act. (2) Clarifies the definition of PFAS or polyfluoroalkyl substances. (3) Extends the exemption period for bulk petroleum facilities from 1 to 5 years. (4) Provides additional 2-year extensions to the 5-year exemption period, so long as the total exemption period does not exceed 13 years. (5) Permits a bulk petroleum facility to use PFAS-containing firefighting foam to aid another facility. (6) Removes the requirement that DNREC assist state agencies and local governments in identifying and obtaining class B firefighting foam that does not contain PFAS chemicals.
- Who sponsors HB 356?
- HB 356 is sponsored by David L. Wilson (Republican), John "Jack" Walsh (Democratic), Marie Pinkney (Democratic), Brian Pettyjohn (Republican), Russell Huxtable (Democratic), Claire Snyder-Hall (Democratic), Edward S. Osienski (Democratic), Eric Morrison (Democratic), Ray Seigfried (Democratic), Franklin D. Cooke (Democratic), Darius J. Brown (Democratic), Daniel B. Short (Republican), Shannon Morris (Republican), Spiros Mantzavinos (Democratic), William J. Carson (Democratic), Frank Burns (Democratic), and Melanie Ross Levin (Democratic).
- What is the current status of HB 356?
- This bill has passed the House. Introduced May 07, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
- Where can I track HB 356?
- Track HB 356 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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