Delaware § 5116 - Leave of absence upon adoption of child.

Full text of Delaware Delaware Code § 5116 — Leave of absence upon adoption of child., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5116. Leave of absence upon adoption of child.

(a) Any employee of the State who has been continuously employed on a full-time basis for at least 1 year at the time of application for leave under this section is entitled to 6 weeks unpaid leave upon the adoption of a minor child who is over 6 years of age. Said employee shall be entitled to be reinstated in the position held at the time of the granting of the leave of absence. Neither vacation leave nor sick leave shall be accumulated during such leave of absence without pay under this section.

(b) Any employee of the State who has been continuously employed on a full-time basis for at least 1 year at the time of application for leave under this section shall be entitled to utilize accumulated sick leave to travel out of the United States for the purpose of adopting a child from a foreign country. Before leave shall be granted the employee must provide documentation that they have applied for the adoption and that the travel is required for the adoption to be approved. Once the adoption has been approved the employee’s leave will be pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act, [29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.]. Said employee shall be entitled to be reinstated in the position held at the time of the granting of the leave of absence. Neither vacation nor sick leave shall be accumulated during such leave of absence, either with or without pay, under this subsection.

(c) The State Personnel Commission is empowered to adopt appropriate rules and regulations to implement this section.

64 Del. Laws, c. 419, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 115, §§  1, 2;  81 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 2; 

Source: official Delaware text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware § 5116

What does Delaware Code § 5116 cover?

Section 5116 ("Leave of absence upon adoption of child.") is part of the Delaware Code, the codified statutory law of Delaware. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Delaware § 5116?

A common citation format is "Delaware Code § 5116" (Delaware). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Delaware law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Delaware official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Delaware attorney.

How does Delaware § 5116 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Delaware can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Delaware.