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SB 137

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 5 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EARNED WAGE ACCESS SERVICES PROVIDERS.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Bush and 3 co-sponsors

Delaware bill regulates earned wage access providers with licensing requirements, fee caps, and consumer protections to oversee the fast-growing pre-paycheck lending industry.

Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 137

Legislative bill overview

SB 137 amends Delaware law to regulate earned wage access (EWA) services, which allow workers to access portions of their earned wages before regular paydays. The bill establishes new licensing requirements, fee limitations, consumer protections, and operational standards for companies providing these financial services in Delaware.

Why is this important

Earned wage access has grown rapidly as an alternative to payday loans, but operates in a regulatory gray area. This bill directly affects Delaware workers who use these services—potentially by capping fees, requiring clearer disclosures, and preventing predatory practices—while also establishing how the state will oversee this emerging financial sector.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee cap impact: Restrictions on fees charged by EWA providers could reduce their profitability and potentially limit service availability to lower-income workers, or conversely may protect vulnerable populations from high-cost debt
  • Employer involvement: The bill likely addresses employer participation in EWA programs, raising questions about workplace dynamics and whether employers gain inappropriate access to employee financial data
  • Regulatory burden vs. consumer protection: Licensing and compliance requirements could drive out smaller providers, reducing competition, or alternatively could eliminate fly-by-night operators that harm consumers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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