Schwartzkopf announces return to Legislative Hall for session 

The Delaware House of Representatives will convene session physically in Legislative Hall this month for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, House leaders announced April 16. 

Legislative Hall has been closed to the public since the global pandemic hit Delaware in March 2020. Due to the close confines of the building and the risk of virus transmission, the House and Senate have conducted session virtually using Zoom webinars since May 2020. The Thursday, April 29 return to Legislative Hall is the first phase in an ongoing effort to resume in-person legislative session safely. 

“As I have stated numerous times, the health and safety of fellow legislators, our staff and the public are my primary responsibilities. Remaining in virtual session has been critical to that goal,” said House Speaker Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach. “However, we are thankfully in a position where lawmakers and staff have been able to get vaccinated, which greatly reduces the risk to them and their families, and we can begin the process of resuming in-person session. 

“Returning to session in person will give us the opportunity to discuss issues and interact with each other in a way that is both familiar and more productive for many members. However, it will require us to first ensure the safety of all those who would be present, and to plan for contingencies. The health and safety of all those involved is our top priority. This is a deliberate process that is being guided by the science and recommendations from experts.” 

On April 29, the House will convene an in-person hybrid session day for floor votes and party caucuses. This is made possible because the vast majority of the representatives and essential staff will have been fully vaccinated by that date. 

More details will be forthcoming, but the session day will consist of representatives participating via Zoom from their respective Legislative Hall offices. The building will remain closed to the public, except for elected officials and essential staff. Social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines must be followed. 

The upcoming two-week segment of legislative session will begin Tuesday, April 20, with virtual committee meetings scheduled for April 20-21 and April 27-28. A virtual floor session will be held Thursday, April 22, for House votes on legislation. 

Schwartzkopf noted that these plans have been in development by House staff and leadership for months, with House members notified more than a month ago that plans were being discussed for a return to in-person session. Details of this plan for an in-person hybrid session on April 29 were discussed with House Republican leadership March 29. 

“I want to be clear that this return to an in-person session has been discussed for months among staff and legislators, and was not prompted by some outside pressure,” Schwartzkopf said. “In fact, this plan was vetted by the leaders of both caucuses last month, as will our ongoing efforts to conduct legislative business on the House floor.” 

Future decisions about continuing or advancing in-person legislative session for the remainder of the year will be announced at a later date.