FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 12, 2025
Contact: Jenna Greenlee (302) 307-2602
DOVER — As part of continued efforts to combat housing instability, the Delaware Senate unanimously passed legislation Thursday that would allow renters to shield prior evictions from public view under certain conditions.
Sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 115 provides a pathway for former defendants in eviction actions to have a second chance at securing housing. Evictions can cause long-lasting damage to renters, including many women of color and families with children. Even tenants who prevailed in eviction actions may be denied housing by landlords who turn away any applicant with a prior eviction filing. The effects of an eviction are felt acutely by marginalized groups more than any other population, leading these individuals through a cycle of poverty and housing instability.
Earlier this year, Sen. Lockman hosted the Wilmington Housing Summit — a two-part series that brought together local, state, and federal leaders to collaborate on substantive solutions for affordable housing, eviction prevention, and economic equity.
“Financial hardship should not define one’s future. Everyone deserves a second chance, an opportunity to rebuild their life, and a home in which to raise their family.” said Sen. Lockman. “SB 115 is more than just a bill, but part of a necessary policy shift as we must do more to look out for Delawareans who simply desire and deserve a safe and secure place to call home.”
Under this legislation, the courts will be able to grant a motion to shield an eviction record if certain conditions are met. These conditions include:
- The passage of time since the judgement
- The absence of additional eviction-related judgements,
- Resolutions through stipulated agreements, and more.
Shielded records are still accessible by the Courts, Department of Justice, and defendants themselves as the eviction files continue to exist beyond public view. This helps create a critical avenue of equality, privacy, and housing access to these individuals that qualify for the request under this act.
“Our country is built on opportunity. Yet those same opportunities are next to impossible to reach without access to stable housing. This bill’s purpose is not to grant exceptions to frequent flyers but instead, to give a genuine opportunity to those who may not have gotten the best start,” said Rep. Kendra Johnson, House Prime sponsor of SB 115. “The path to self-actualization is not a race, but a journey, and we cannot expect anyone to take that journey if we make no effort to dismantle the barriers that continue to deny them a fighting chance.”
SB 115 was introduced in tandem with SB 116, a bill granting renters the opportunity to remain in their homes if all amounts owed to are paid prior to the eviction date. SB 116 has been passed through the Senate Housing and Land Use Committee and now awaits consideration on the Senate floor.
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