Delaware Healthy Delaware Families Paid Leave Program

The Healthy Delaware Families Act, codified in Title 19, Chapter 37, creates a state-administered paid family and medical leave insurance program. Employer and employee payroll contributions began January 2025; eligible workers can claim up to 12 weeks for parental, medical, family caregiving, and qualifying military exigency leave starting January 2026. Employers with fewer than ten employees are exempt from medical leave provisions. The state program preempts most divergent local paid leave mandates because it occupies the field of statewide employee leave standards.

Employers failing to remit contributions or retaliating against claimants face penalties under 19 Del.C. 3729, including back contributions, interest, and reinstatement orders.