2025 Delaware Code
Title 29 - State Government
Chapter 59. MERIT SYSTEM OF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION
Subchapter V. Miscellaneous
§ 5953. Discrimination prohibited.
(a) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Housing status” means as defined in § 204 of Title 19.
(2) “Military status” means status as any of the following:
a. A member of the uniformed forces, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101, or a reserve component thereof listed under 10 U.S.C. § 10101.
b. A “veteran” as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101.
c. A “dependent” of a servicemember as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911.
(3) “Protective hairstyle” includes braids, locks, and twists.
(4) “Race” includes traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and a protective hairstyle.
(b) A person may not be appointed or promoted to, or demoted or dismissed from, any position in the classified service, or be in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to employment in the classified service, because of political or religious opinions or affiliations, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, military status, race, housing status, or any other basis protected under Chapter 7 of Title 19.
(c) The veterans' and members' preference in § 5935 of this title and any other distinction or differential treatment on the basis of military status that is allowed by Delaware law or regulation, federal law, or regulation, or government contract is not a violation of this section.
29 Del. C. 1953, § 5953; 55 Del. Laws, c. 443, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 90, § 22; 79 Del. Laws, c. 47, § 25; 83 Del. Laws, c. 13, § 23; 84 Del. Laws, c. 429, § 12; 85 Del. Laws, c. 104, § 8; 85 Del. Laws, c. 144, § 17;
