Continuing her work to protect Delaware’s natural environment from pollution, Sen. Stephanie Hansen enacted legislation to help curb the mass release of helium-filled balloons that clog Delaware’s waterways with petrochemical waste and threaten the lives of livestock and marine animals.
Passed with bipartisan support, Senate Bill 24 (S) defined the release of 1-4 balloons as littering and the mass release of 5 or more balloons as considered dumping. Both acts are eligible for civil penalties that include fines and community service, although several exceptions were included to avoid overzealous enforcement.
SB 24 (S) also required businesses that sell balloons to post a notice to inform customers that the intentional release of balloons is unlawful in Delaware.
