Section 4602 - DefinitionsAs used in this chapter:
(1) "Age" -- For the purpose of defining what is a discriminatory housing practice, "age" means any age 18 years or older.(2) "Aggrieved persons" includes any person who:a. Claims to have been injured, directly or indirectly, by a discriminatory housing practice;b. Believes that such person will be injured, directly or indirectly, by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur; or c. Is associated with a person having a protected status under this chapter and claims to have been injured, directly or indirectly, as a result of a discriminatory housing practice against such person having the protected status.(3) "Chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Delaware Human and Civil Rights Commission.(4) "Commission" means the . Delaware Human and Civil Rights Commission.(5) "Complainant" means the person (including the Commission) who files a complaint under § 4610 of this title.(6) "Conciliation" means the attempted resolution of issues raised by a complaint, or by the investigation of such complaint, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved person, the respondent and the Commission.(7) "Conciliation agreement" means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation.(8) "Court" means the Superior Court of the State unless otherwise designated.(9) "Covered multifamily dwellings" means: a. Buildings consisting of 4 or more dwelling units if such buildings have 1 or more elevators; andb. Ground floor dwelling units in other buildings consisting of 4 or more dwelling units.(10) "Disability" means as defined in § 4502 of this title. (11) "Discriminatory housing practice" means an act that is unlawful under § 4603, § 4604, § 4605, § 4606 or § 4618 of this title.(12) "Division" means the Division of Human and Civil Rights.(13) "Dwelling" means any building, structure or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by 1 or more families, together with any land which is offered for sale, rent or exchange therewith and also means any vacant land which is offered for sale, lease or exchange for the construction or location thereon of any such building, structure or portion thereof. "Dwelling" also includes the public and common use areas associated therewith.(14) "Familial status" means: one or more individuals who have not attained the age of 18 years being domiciled with: a. A parent or another person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; orb. The designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person; orc. Any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years.(15) "Family" includes a single individual.(16) "Gender identity" means a gender-related identity, appearance, expression or behavior of a person, regardless of the person's assigned sex at birth. (17) "Housing for older persons" means housing:a. Provided under any state or federal program that the Commission determines is specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons;b. Intended for, and solely occupied by, persons 62 years of age or older; orc. Intended and operated for occupancy by at least 1 person 55 years of age or older per unit. In determining whether housing qualifies as housing for older persons under this subsection, the Commission shall develop regulations which shall require at least the following factors:1. That at least 80 percent of the units are occupied by at least 1 person 55 years of age or older per unit; and2. The publication of, and adherence to, policies and procedures which demonstrate an intent by the owner or manager to provide housing for persons 55 years of age or older.(18) "Housing status" means an individual, family, or youth's current overnight residence regardless of permanence or habitability.(19) "Marital status" means the legal relationship of parties as determined by the laws of marriage applicable to them or the absence of such a legal relationship.(20) "Panel" means 3 or more Commissioners appointed by the Chair to perform any act authorized under this chapter.(21) "Panel Chair": that Commissioner designated by the Commission Chair to preside at case hearings, and, further, to perform such other duties as may be specified by applicable laws and regulations.(22) "Person" includes 1 or more individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy in cases under Title 11 of the United States Code, receivers, fiduciaries and land use commissions or boards.(23) "Protective hairstyle" includes braids, locks, and twists.(24) "Race" includes traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and a protective hairstyle.(25) "Residential real estate-related transaction" means any of the following: a. The making, brokering or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance: 1. For purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or2. Secured by residential real estate; orb. The selling, brokering or appraising of residential real property.(26) "Respondent" means: a. The person or other entity accused in a complaint of an unfair housing practice; andb. Any other person or entity identified in the course of investigation and notified as required with respect to respondents so identified under § 4610(a)(2)a. of this title.(27) "Sexual orientation" includes heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.(28) "Source of income" means any lawful source of money paid directly, indirectly, or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing including:a. Income derived from any lawful profession or occupation;b. Income or rental payments derived from any government or private assistance, grant, or loan program.(29) "Special Administration Fund" means the Fund established and maintained pursuant to § 3005 of Title 31.(30) "To rent" includes to lease, to sublease, to assign a lease, to let and otherwise to grant, continue or renew for a consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.(31) "To sell" or "sale" includes a sale, gift, exchange or other means of conveyance.Amended by Laws 2023, ch. 428,s 1, eff. 9/26/2024.Amended by Laws 2021 , ch. 305, s 5, eff. 6/14/2022.Amended by Laws 2021 , ch. 195, s 2, eff. 9/17/2021.Amended by Laws 2021 , ch. 13, s 3, eff. 4/13/2021.Amended by Laws 2015 , ch. 355, s 2, eff. 8/3/2016.Amended by Laws 2013 , ch. 47, s 8, eff. 6/19/2013.Amended by Laws 2013 , ch. 47, s 7, eff. 6/19/2013.6 Del. C. 1953, § 4601; 57 Del. Laws, c. 32, § 1; 62 Del. Laws, c. 330, §2; 68 Del. Laws, c. 311, §1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 356, §§ 21 - 23, 27; 77 Del. Laws, c. 90, § 6.;