Delaware · Senate Bill 51 · 152nd General Assembly

Polystyrene Foam Containers/Single-Use Plastic Straws/Prohibits/Food Establishments

  1. Introduced Feb 17, 2023
  2. In committee Feb 17, 2023
  3. Passed the Senate Apr 6, 2023
  4. Passed the House Jun 22, 2023
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law Aug 22, 2023

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

This Act prohibits food establishments from providing consumers with ready-to-eat food or beverages in polystyrene foam containers or with single-service plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail picks, or sandwich picks. It also prohibits food establishments from providing single-service plastic straws, unless requested by a consumer. These restrictions take effect on July 1, 2025. This Act provides the following…

Read the full title (203 words)

This Act prohibits food establishments from providing consumers with ready-to-eat food or beverages in polystyrene foam containers or with single-service plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail picks, or sandwich picks. It also prohibits food establishments from providing single-service plastic straws, unless requested by a consumer. These restrictions take effect on July 1, 2025. This Act provides the following exemptions to the prohibitions on single-service plastic implements and polystyrene foam containers: 1. The definition of "polystyrene foam food service packaging" excludes coolers or ice chests used for the processing or shipping of seafood and containers used to contain, transport, or package raw, uncooked, or butchered meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, fruits, or vegetables. 2. The prohibition on plastic straws does not apply to patients or residents of hospitals or long-term care facilities and for plastic straws that are attached to pre-packaged goods, such as juice boxes. 3. The restriction on providing ready-to-eat food in polystyrene foam food service packaging does not apply to any of the following: • Fire companies. • Health-care providers that provide long-term, acute, and outpatient health-care services. • Nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Every action

16 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 8 earlier steps
  1. CommitteeIntroduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate · Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation
  2. CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 5 Favorable · Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation
  3. SenatePassed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 5 NO 1 NOT VOTING 1 ABSENT14–5 vote
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House · House Health & Human Development
  5. CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 7 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits · House Health & Human Development
  6. HouseAmendment HA 1 to SB 51 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
  7. HouseAmendment HA 2 to SB 51 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
  8. HouseAmendment HA 3 to SB 51 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
  1. HouseAmendment HA 4 to SB 51 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
  2. HouseAmendment HA 1 to SB 51 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
  3. HouseAmendment HA 2 to SB 51 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
  4. HouseAmendment HA 3 to SB 51 - Stricken in House
  5. HouseAmendment HA 4 to SB 51 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
  6. HousePassed By House. Votes: 29 YES 11 NO 1 ABSENT29–11 vote
  7. SenatePassed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 5 NO 1 ABSENT15–5 vote
  8. GovernorSigned by Governor

Roll calls

3 recorded votes: 3 on the floor, 0 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 5 NO 1 NOT VOTING 1 ABSENT · Full Senate

Passed 14–5
Apr 6, 2023 · journal entry
Yes 14 No 5 Not voting 2
Democrats: 14 yes, 0 no Republicans: 0 yes, 5 no
How each member voted

Yes · 14

No · 5

Not voting · 1

Absent · 1

Passed By House. Votes: 29 YES 11 NO 1 ABSENT · Full House

Passed 29–11
Jun 22, 2023 · journal entry
Yes 29 No 11 Not voting 1
Democrats: 25 yes, 0 no Republicans: 4 yes, 11 no
How each member voted

Yes · 29

No · 11

Absent · 1

Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 5 NO 1 ABSENT · Full Senate

Passed 15–5
Jun 27, 2023 · journal entry
Yes 15 No 5 Not voting 1
Democrats: 15 yes, 0 no Republicans: 0 yes, 5 no
How each member voted

Yes · 15

No · 5

Absent · 1

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 25 cosponsors: 24 Democrats, 1 Republican.

All 25 cosponsors

From Delaware's official records (legis.delaware.gov), checked Nov 1, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.