DOVER, Del. - Delaware drivers could soon be allowed to have darker window tint on their vehicles under a new bill introduced in the General Assembly.
Introduced on Wednesday, March 11, Senate Bill 255 would change state law to allow front side windows to have a tint that lets in at least 35% of visible light, instead of the current requirement that allows 70% of light to pass through.
The change would bring Delaware more in line with laws in other states while still maintaining visibility for law enforcement during traffic stops, the bill’s synopsis reads.
"I would like to see consistency between states," Fenwick Island Police Chief Michael Morrissey told WBOC on Friday. "Some states are very liberal with window tinting, while others are not."
Morrissey said he does not think the 35% will interfere with daily police activities. However, he said he does not think it should go further than that without a medical reason.
"It shouldn't be like a total blackout where an officer can't see in the vehicle, and the tint should not be on the front windshield of the vehicle," Morrissey said. "I've seen a lot of windshields where the tint is in the front, and it literally covers half the windshield. That to me is not acceptable. An officer should have the ability to at least see into the car and see movement."
Morrissey also gave WBOC some safety tips for those interested in pursuing heavier tinted windows, if the bill does pass.
"They can be a concern at night if the tint is too dark. You might pull up to an intersection and not get a full and clear view. People have to be careful about that," Morrissey said. "As for vehicle stops, when an officer stops you, it may be a good idea to put the window down if you have a heavy tint. That way, the officer can see into the vehicle and see there's not a threat."
Under current Delaware law, the driver and passenger front windows must remain mostly clear unless the vehicle owner has a medical exemption requiring a darker tint. The bill would lower that threshold, allowing a darker tint without a medical waiver.
The legislation would not change rules for rear windows or rear passenger windows, which already do not have a specific visible light transmission requirement under Delaware law.
The bill also clarifies that vehicles operated by law enforcement officers are exempt from the tint restrictions.
Chris Hunter owns Matrix Window Tinting and Restyling in Delmar. Hunter told WBOC Friday that he's in favor of the proposal.
"Current tint law has it at 70%, which is basically clear glass," Hunter said. "Allowing the 35% makes a huge difference because now it helps people with UV blockage, it helps with heat rejection, and glare reduction. There's a whole slew of things."
SB 255 is currently awaiting consideration by the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation committee.
