SB 249 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUBSTANCE USE HARM REDUCTION.

It is the policy of this State that harm reduction is an integral component of the health promotion, illness prevention, treatment, and care continuum.

(c) Individuals who use drugs are particularly vulnerable to health, social, and economic harm due to discrimination, marginalization, and stigmatization.

It is the policy of this State to respect the human rights and dignity of individuals who use drugs by adhering to basic ethical principles such as fairness, beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect for autonomy.

(d) It is the policy of this State to solicit the voluntary, meaningful participation and active engagement of individuals who use drugs in the design, development, and delivery of harm reduction strategies.

§ 4803.

regulatory authority;authority.

deflection(a) Subject to this chapter, the Division may adopt regulations related to the licensing and referraloperation pathways.”.of programs.

FURTHER(b) AMENDRegulations Senateadopted Billunder No.this section must be evidence-based.

249(c) bySubject insertingto theregulations followingadopted afterunder linethis 41section, a program may operate mobile components and beforeprovide linepeer- 42:delivered services.

“(d)§ The4804. Division may coordinate with State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to establish voluntary deflection and referral pathways connecting individuals to programs and behavioral health treatment services, including pathways available before and after arrest.”.

FURTHERServices, AMENDsupplies, Senateand Billreferrals. No.

249(a) byA insertingprogram themust followinghave afterall lineof 259the andfollowing beforeavailable linefor 260:distribution to participants:

“Section(1) 7A.Sterile supplies.

Amend(2) §Sterile 4795,supplies Titleand 16equipment offor theidentifying Delawareand Codedetermining bythe makingpotency deletionsof asdrugs shownand bycontaminants strikein throughdrugs, andincluding insertionsdrug-testing strips as showndefined byunder underline§ as2226 follows:of this title.

§(3) 4795.Opioid antagonists.

Jurisdiction(4) [ForSexually applicationtransmitted ofdisease thisbarriers. section, see 80 Del.

(b) A program must provide all of the following services:

(1) Safe recovery and disposal of supplies.

(2) Infectious diseases screening, including screening for HIV and hepatitis.

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03/05/2026 11:44 AM (3) Basic first aid and wound care.

(4) Education and training related to all of the following:

a.

Recognizing overdoses and the administration of opioid antagonists.

b.

Promotion of secondary supply distribution.

c.

Injection hygiene.

d.

Safe disposal of supplies.

(c) A program must provide referrals for primary and behavioral health care and vaccinations.

(d) A program must assist a participant with all of the following:

(1) Transportation and housing needs.

(2) Enrollment in public benefits programs to which a participant is entitled.

§ 4805.

Confidentiality.

(a) Participants are entitled to participate in a program anonymously.

(b) A program must not require a participant to provide information that could compromise the participant’s anonymity.

(c) Except if authorized in writing by a participant, a program must ensure the confidentiality of the participant’s records.

(d) Information obtained by a program related to a participant is confidential, not a public record as defined under § 10002 of Title 29, and not discoverable in a legal proceeding.

§ 4806.

Sterile supplies.

(a) A program must provide sterile supplies in quantities sufficient to ensure the sterile supplies are not shared or reused.

(b) A program must not require a one-for-one exchange of sterile supplies.

(c) A program must actively encourage secondary supply distribution.

§ 4807.

Data collection and reporting.

(a) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (b) of this section, the Division may not require a program to collect data or provide reports.

(b) The Division may require a program to collect any of the following data and provide a report of that data to the Division:

(1) Data related to the operation of the program, including staffing, financial, and other operational information.

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03/05/2026 11:44 AM 82 (2) Transaction-level data including any of the following:

a.

Number and type of supplies distributed.

b.

Number and type of used supplies received.

c.

Date and time.

d.

Location.

e.

Participant information including gender, age, race, and ethnicity.

f.

Number of people for whom the participant is obtaining supplies.

(3) Program-level data including any of the following:

a.

Aggregation of data collected under this section.

b.

Number of referrals.

c.

Number of participants in training or other services offered by the program.

(c) Except if authorized by the Division, a program may not conduct or participate in research or behavior surveillance activities of participants, including interviews or surveys.

If required by the Division to collect data under subsection (b) of this section, the program may not require participation in the collection of data as a prerequisite for obtaining services.

§ 4808.

Immunity.

A person who acts under this chapter must do so in good faith and with reasonable care.

Unless it is established that the person caused injuries or death as a result of unreasonable care, wilfully, wantonly, or by gross negligence, a person is not subject to any of the following as a result of acting under this chapter:

(1) Disciplinary or other adverse action under the professional licensing laws of this State.

(2) Criminal liability.

(3) Civil liability for damages for injuries or death.

Section 2.

Amend § 4701, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4701.

Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(18) “Drug paraphernalia” shall mean all equipment, products and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use or designed for use, in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, re-packaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body, a controlled DLS :

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means an object designed, intended, or used to analyze, compound, conceal, contain, convert, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, package, plant, prepare, process, produce, or propagate a controlled substance in violation of this chapter.

The term “drug paraphernalia” includes, but is not limited to:

“Drug paraphernalia” includes all of the following, unless otherwise authorized by law:

a.

Kits used, intended for use or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing or harvesting of any An object designed, intended, or used to cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, package, plant, or propagate a plant species which is a controlled substance, the use, cultivation, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter or from which such a controlled substance can be derived;

derived.

b.

Kits used, intended for use or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing or preparing controlled substances, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

An object designed, intended, or used to compound, convert, manufacture, prepare, process, or produce a controlled substance.

c.

Isomerization devices used, intended for use or designed for use in increasing An isomerization device designed, intended, or used to increase the potency of any species of a plant species which is a controlled substance, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

or substance.

d.

Testing equipment used, intended for use or designed for use in identifying, or in analyzing the strength, effectiveness or purity of controlled substances, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

designed, intended, or used to identify or analyze the effectiveness, purity, or strength of a controlled substance.

e.

Scales and balances used, intended for use or designed for use in weighing or measuring controlled substances, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

A balance or scale designed, intended, or used to measure or weigh a controlled substance.

f.

Diluents and adulterants, such as quinine hydrochloride, mannitol, mannite, dextrose or lactose, which are used, intended for use or designed for use in cutting controlled substances, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

A diluent or adulterant including dextrose, lactose, mannite, mannitol, and quinine hydrochloride designed, intended, or used to cut a controlled substance.

g.

Separation gins and sifters used, intended for use or designed for use in removing twigs and seeds from, or otherwise cleaning or refining, marijuana;

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Blenders, bowls, containers, spoons and mixing devices used, intended for use or designed for use in compounding controlled substances, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

A blender, bowl, container, spoon, or other object designed, intended, or used to compound or mix a controlled substance.

i.

Capsules, balloons, envelopes and other containers used, intended for use or designed for use in packaging small quantities of controlled substances, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

A balloon, capsule, container, envelope, or other object designed, intended, or used to package a small quantity of a controlled substance.

j.

Containers or other objects used, intended for use or designed for use in storing or concealing controlled substances, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

A container or other object designed, intended, or used to conceal or store a controlled substance for sale.

k.

Hypodermic syringes, needles and other objects used, intended for use or designed for use in parenterally injecting controlled substances, the use, manufacture, delivery or possession of which is in violation of this chapter;

and [Repealed.] l.

Objects used, intended for use or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing marijuana, cocaine, hashish or hashish oil into the human body such as:

1.

Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic or ceramic pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads or punctured metal bowls;

2.

Water pipes;

3.

Carburetion tubes and devices;

4.

Smoking and carburetion masks;

5.

Roach clips or objects used to hold burning material, such as a marijuana cigarette, that has become too small or too short to be held in the hand;

6.

Miniature cocaine spoons, and cocaine vials;

7.

Chamber pipes;

8.

Carburetor pipes;

9.

Electric pipes;

10.

Air-driven pipes;

11.

Chillums;

12.

Bongs;

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Ice pipes or chillers.

[Repealed.] Section 3.

Amend § 4771, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4771.

Drug paraphernalia.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to use, or possess with intent to use, to knowingly possess or use drug paraphernalia.

paraphernalia in violation of this chapter.

A violation of this subsection is a class B misdemeanor.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly deliver, possess with intent to deliver, convert, manufacture, convey, sell, or offer for sale drug paraphernalia, knowing or under circumstances where one should reasonably know that it will be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance.

paraphernalia in violation of this chapter.

A violation of this subsection is a class G felony.

(c) This section does not apply to items that are used, or intended primarily for use, with marijuana.

It is unlawful to knowingly deliver, possess with intent to deliver, convert, manufacture, convey, sell, or offer for sale drug paraphernalia in violation of this chapter to a child.

A violation of this subsection is a class E felony.

(d) It is unlawful to knowingly place an advertisement to promote the sale of drug paraphernalia in violation of this chapter.

A violation of this subsection is an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

(e) Nothing in this section precludes law enforcement from introducing drug paraphernalia as evidence in the investigation or prosecution of an offense under this chapter involving the manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Section 4.

Amend § 4772, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4772.

Consideration of factors.

In determining whether or not an object is drug paraphernalia, a court or other authority shall consider, in addition to all other logically-relevant factors, all of the following:

(1) Statements concerning the object’s use by an the object’s owner or by anyone in control of the object, concerning its use;

a person controlling the object.

(2) The proximity of the object, in time and space, to a direct violation of this chapter;

chapter.

(3) The proximity of the object to controlled substances;

a controlled substance.

(4) The existence of any residue of a controlled substance substance’s residue on the object;

object.

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03/05/2026 11:44 AM (5) Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, to deliver it to persons whom the owner knows, or should reasonably know, intend to use the object to facilitate a violation of this chapter.

The innocence of an owner, or of anyone in control of the object, as to a direct violation of this chapter shall not prevent a finding that the object is intended for use, or designed for use, as drug paraphernalia;

Direct or circumstantial evidence of the intent of an object’s owner or a person controlling the object to deliver the object to another person to facilitate a violation of this chapter.

The innocence of the object’s owner or a person controlling the object may not prevent a finding that the object is drug paraphernalia.

(6) Instructions (oral or written) concerning the object’s use provided with the object, concerning its use;

object.

(7) Descriptive materials explaining or depicting the object’s use accompanying the object which explain or depict its use;

object.

(8) National and local advertising Advertising concerning its use;

the object’s use.

(9) The manner in which How the object is displayed for sale;

sale.

(10) Whether or not the owner, or anyone in control of the object, is a legitimate supplier of like or related items to the community, such as a licensed distributor or dealer of tobacco products;

Whether the owner or a person controlling the object is a legitimate supplier of related objects.

(11) Direct or circumstantial evidence Evidence of the ratio of sales of the suspect object to the total sales of the business enterprise;

business.

(12) The existence and scope of legitimate uses for the object in the community;

and object.

(13) Expert testimony concerning its the object’s use.

Section 5.

Amend § 4773, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4773.

Exemptions.

This subchapter will does not apply to:

(1) Any A person authorized by local, state, or federal law to manufacture, possess, or distribute such items;

or an object potentially constituting drug paraphernalia.

(2) Any item that in the normal lawful course of business is imported, exported, transported or sold and traditionally intended for use with tobacco products, including any pipe, paper or accessory.

An object potentially constituting drug paraphernalia intended for possession or use with a marijuana or tobacco product that is exported, imported, sold, or transported legally in this State.

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03/05/2026 11:44 AM (3) A drug-testing strip as defined under § 2226 of this title.

An object designed, intended, or used to analyze or test a controlled substance, including testing equipment designed, intended, or used to analyze or identify the strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substance, including a drug-testing strip as defined under § 2226 of this title.

(4) An object designed, intended, or used to conceal, contain, or store a controlled substance.

(5) An object designed, intended, or used to ingest, inhale, inject, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance, including any of the following:

a.

A hypodermic syringe or needle.

b.

A bong, carburetion mask or tube, chiller, chillum, cocaine spoon, cocaine vial, pipe, roach clip, or other object used to hold burning material.

Section 6.

Amend § 4774, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4774.

Penalties [For application of this section, see 80 Del.

(a) ThePossession. Superior Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over any violation of this chapter by persons 18 years of age or older.

(b)Except Theas provisionsdescribed ofin subsection (a)(b) of this sectionsection, or any otherperson lawwho touses theor contrarypossesses notwithstanding,with theintent Courtto ofuse Commondrug Pleasparaphernalia shallis haveguilty original jurisdiction over any violation of thea followingclass byB personsmisdemeanor. 18 years of age or older:

(4)(b) SectionPossession 4771for ofpersonal thisuse title, except where jurisdiction over the civil penalty resides in the Justice of themarijuana. Peace Court pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.

sectionAny person who uses or possesses drug paraphernalia for violationsthe use or possession of §a 4771(d)personal use quantity of thismarijuana title.”.shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $100, in addition to such routine assessments necessary for the administration of civil violations.

SYNOPSIS(c) ThisManufacture Amendmentand doessale. the following:

(1)Any Authorizesperson thewho Divisiondelivers, ofpossesses Substancewith Abusethe andintent Mental Health to coordinatedeliver, withconveys, State,offers county,for andsale, municipalconverts, lawor enforcementmanufactures agencieswith tothe establishintent voluntary deflection and referral pathways to connectdeliver individualsdrug toparaphernalia harmis reductionguilty programsof anda behavioralclass healthG treatmentfelony. services, including pathways available before and after arrest.

(2)(d) MakesDelivery clearto the Superior Court retains jurisdiction over a violationminor. of § 4771(d) of Title 16 (formerly § 4774(e) of Title 16).

Any person 18 years of age or older who violates § 4771 of this title by delivering or selling drug paraphernalia to a person under 18 years of age is guilty of a class E felony.

(e) It is unlawful for any person to place in a newspaper, magazine, handbill or other publication any advertisement, knowing or under circumstances where one reasonably should know, that the purpose of the advertisement, in whole or in part, is to promote the sale of objects designed or intended for use as drug paraphernalia.

Any person who violates this section is guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor.

[Repealed.] Section 7.

Amend § 4775, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4775.

Consideration of factors.

Transferred to § 4772 of this title by 73 Del.

Laws, c.

359, § 2, effective July 8, 2002.

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03/05/2026 11:44 AM Section 8.

Sections 7990 through 7996 of Title 29 of the Delaware Code are repealed in their entirety.

SYNOPSIS This Act does all of the following:

(1) Establishes a regulatory framework for substance use harm reduction programs that provides immunities for program providers and staff.

(2) Modifies the definition of drug paraphernalia.

(3) Decriminalizes possession of paraphernalia for individuals who use drugs, while retaining prohibitions for paraphernalia used in the manufacturing or distribution of drugs and the selling of certain drug paraphernalia.

This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

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