Senator Brian Pettyjohn Delaware · The First State
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Thank you, 19th District. It's been an honor to be re-elected to another term — back to work in Dover.

19th Senate District · Senate Republican Whip

Senator Brian Pettyjohn

Serving the 19th District and the people of the State of Delaware

Thanks for stopping by. It's been an honor to represent the 19th District in Legislative Hall, and I take the job of staying in touch seriously — regular newsletters, local radio, and monthly coffees where you can bring me whatever is on your mind. If something in Dover is affecting you, I want to hear about it.

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Senator Brian Pettyjohn waving to the crowd while walking in a local parade
Senate Committees Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology · Corrections & Public Safety · Executive · Environment, Energy & Transportation · Veterans Affairs · Judiciary · Legislative Council · Legislative Oversight & Sunset · Rules & Ethics

Recent work in the Senate

Veterans Affairs

HB 1 — Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Senate co-prime sponsor of legislation establishing Delaware's Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Signed into law.

Public Safety · Signed into law 9/19/25

SB 142 & SB 143 — Protecting families online

Toughened sexual extortion penalties and added digital-safety education in schools, and gave grieving parents faster legal access to a deceased child's digital accounts. Both passed the Senate unanimously the same day.

Courts · Signed into law

SJR 13 — Court-date text reminders

Directs the Judiciary to pilot text-message reminders ahead of Justice of the Peace Court dates, with a statewide feasibility study due by June 2027.

Education · June 8, 2026

Elected Chair, SREB Legislative Advisory Council

Chairs the Southern Regional Education Board's council of legislators from all 16 member states, after serving since 2015 and on its Commission on Career Pathways.

Consumer Protection · Signed into law

SB 332 — Vanity license plate transfers

Clarifies that special vanity plates can be transferred between owners as personal property, while complying with a federal court order on new plate issuance.

Health Care · Signed into law 6/24/26

SS1 for SB 208 — Psychology provider licensing

Sponsored legislation creating new master's-level psychology associate and psychological assistant roles under Delaware's licensing law, expanding who can legally provide psychological care.

Public Safety · Signed into law 8/10/23

SB 117 — Emergency care for police K-9s

Lets paramedics and other EMS providers give immediate care and transport to injured police dogs at the scene, with civil liability protection for acting in good faith. "Police K-9s are an integral part of our law enforcement community," Pettyjohn said.

Agriculture · Since Aug. 2022

Co-chair, CSG East Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee

Co-chairs the Council of State Governments Eastern Regional Conference's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee alongside Pennsylvania Senator Judy Schwank, on northeastern agriculture, rural economies, agritourism, right-to-farm, rural broadband, and rural health.

Op-Ed · Bay to Bay News

Bloom Energy's ratepayer surcharge

Argued that Delmarva Power customers are still paying a Bloom Energy surcharge through 2033 under a 2011 deal that promised 900 jobs by 2017 and delivered roughly a third of that — and that Bloom can afford to end it voluntarily.

Senator Pettyjohn speaking on the Senate floor at Legislative Hall

The Record

What I've sponsored, chaired, and said publicly this session, newest first.

Veterans Affairs

Signed into law

HB 1 — Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Senate co-prime sponsor of legislation establishing Delaware's Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Public Safety & Family Protection

Signed into law 9/19/25

SS1 for SB 142 — Sexual extortion protections

Modeled on South Carolina's "Gavin's Law." Raises sexual extortion to a Class B felony when a child or vulnerable adult suffers serious injury or death, and adds sexual extortion awareness to Erin's Law, requiring schools to educate students, parents, and staff on digital exploitation risks. Passed the Senate unanimously. "The digital world is changing fast and predators are adapting with it," Pettyjohn said.

Signed into law 9/19/25

SB 143 — Digital assets for grieving families

Inspired by Ohio's "Braden's Law." Lets parents or legal guardians of a deceased minor access the child's digital assets and accounts more quickly, directing courts to prioritize and expedite these applications. Introduced alongside SB 142 and passed the Senate unanimously the same day. "Whether it's the trauma of sexual extortion or the heartbreak of losing a child, Delaware must act swiftly and compassionately," Pettyjohn said.

Courts & Public Safety

Signed into law

SJR 13 — Court-date text reminders

Directs the Judiciary to pilot automated text reminders ahead of Justice of the Peace Court dates for scheduled criminal and traffic cases, and to study expanding the program statewide, with a report due by June 1, 2027. "Missed court appearances create unnecessary challenges for both individuals and our justice system," Pettyjohn said. "This resolution takes a practical, data-driven approach."

Signed into law 8/10/23

SB 117 — Emergency care for police K-9s

Lets paramedics and other EMS providers give immediate care and transport to injured police dogs at the scene, with civil liability protection for acting in good faith. Signed by Gov. Carney alongside Sen. Dave Lawson's SB 176, reimbursing retired K-9 owners for veterinary care. Both bills passed unanimously. "Police K-9s are an integral part of our law enforcement community," Pettyjohn said.

Signed into law 7/23/26

SS1 for SB 234 — Defining "first responder"

Adds a state-law definition of "first responder" to Title 20's emergency management code, where the term was used but never defined. Covers law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel, hazmat response teams, 911 dispatchers, emergency managers, and others with similar duties. Co-sponsored with Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner.

Education

June 8, 2026

Elected Chair, SREB Legislative Advisory Council

Chairs the Legislative Advisory Council of the Southern Regional Education Board, a 16-state interstate education compact founded in 1948. Has served with SREB since a 2015 appointment by Gov. Jack Markell, including on its Commission on Career Pathways. "For more than a decade, SREB has provided me with the opportunity to work alongside policymakers from across the region who share a commitment to improving educational outcomes," Pettyjohn said.

Health Care

Signed into law 6/24/26

SS1 for SB 208 — Psychology provider licensing

Amends Title 24's psychology professionals chapter. Creates a master's-level licensed psychology associate role that can practice independently within limits, and a master's-level psychological assistant role (renaming the former psychological assistant to "doctoral-level psychological assistant"). Adds cognitive rehabilitation and cognitive therapy as recognized evidence-based interventions, allows Canadian Psychological Association-accredited programs to qualify applicants, and moves criminal background checks to the licensing Board. Primary-sponsored by Pettyjohn, with Sens. Pinkney and Hoffner and four House members, plus 14 Senate and 8 House co-sponsors.

Consumer Protection

Signed into law 9/16/26

SB 332 — Vanity license plate transfers

Clarifies that special vanity license plates are personal property that can be transferred between owners as a gift or for consideration, without triggering a new issuance — keeping Delaware compliant with a federal court order that currently blocks DMV from issuing or recalling these plates.

Signed into law 8/20/25

SB 118 — Compensation for injured pets

Removes the sunset clause on a law letting pet owners seek unlimited compensatory damages for veterinary bills when another person's negligent, reckless, or intentional act injures their pet — keeping that protection in place instead of letting it expire in October 2025.

Agriculture

Since August 2022

Co-chair, CSG East Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee

Appointed co-chair of the Council of State Governments Eastern Regional Conference's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee at CSG East's annual conference in Manchester, New Hampshire, serving alongside Pennsylvania Senator Judy Schwank. The committee's focus: northeastern agriculture, rural economies, agritourism, the right-to-farm, rural broadband, and rural health.

Energy & Utility Rates

Op-Ed · Bay to Bay News

Bloom Energy's ratepayer surcharge

Delmarva Power customers have paid a surcharge to Bloom Energy since 2012, locked in through 2033 under a 2011 deal (SB 124) that redefined Bloom's fuel cells as "renewable" in exchange for 900 manufacturing jobs by 2017. Bloom reached roughly a third of that total by the deadline and partially repaid its state grant, while its Delmarva project reportedly brings in about $36 million a year. Pettyjohn's argument: a company that can sponsor an NBA jersey patch can afford to end or reduce the surcharge voluntarily. Read the full op-ed →

Newsroom

Press Releases

Statements and releases from my office, newest first.

Nov 6, 2026 · Media Release

Senators Hocker, Pettyjohn Re-Elected to Lead Senate Republican Caucus in 154th General Assembly

DOVER, DE — Members of the Delaware State Senate Republican Caucus voted Friday, November 6, to retain their leadership team for the upcoming 154th General Assembly, re-electing Senator Gerald Hocker (R-Ocean View) as Republican Leader and Senator Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown) as Republican Whip. Hocker begins his fifth term as Republican Leader; Pettyjohn his fourth consecutive term as Whip. The 154th General Assembly convenes Tuesday, January 12, 2027.

“It is a privilege to once again have the support of my colleagues and the opportunity to serve in this leadership role,” said Senator Pettyjohn. “We have a dedicated group of senators who bring different perspectives and experiences to the table, but who share a common commitment to serving Delawareans. As we enter the 154th General Assembly, our focus will be on holding government accountable, advocating for responsible policies, and ensuring the voices of our constituents are heard in Dover. I look forward to the work ahead.”

Contact: Matt Revel, Communications Director — Matthew.Revel@delaware.gov

Oct 2, 2026 · Op-Ed · Bay to Bay News

Bloom Can Afford a Sixers Jersey, but Delmarva Customers Are Still Paying the Bill

Delmarva Power customers have paid a surcharge to Bloom Energy since 2012, locked in through 2033 under a 2011 deal (SB 124) that redefined Bloom's fuel cells as "renewable" in exchange for 900 manufacturing jobs by 2017. Bloom reached roughly a third of that total by the deadline and partially repaid its state grant, while its Delmarva project reportedly brings in about $36 million a year. Pettyjohn's argument: a company that can sponsor an NBA jersey patch can afford to end or reduce the surcharge voluntarily. Read the full op-ed →

19th Senate District

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