DE HB89

Establishes a Home Improvement Dispute Resolution Process through the Division of Consumer Protection, requiring buyers to first send contractors a written request to resolve disputes and wait 20 days for a response before applying for Division assistance

Mandates that contractors participate in good faith in the dispute resolution process; failure to respond or participate constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act and triggers notification to the Department of Labor

Allows the Department of Labor to deny, suspend, or revoke a contractor's certificate of registration for failing to participate in good faith or for violating consumer protection laws

Provides buyers with a private cause of action to recover actual damages, court costs, and attorney fees for Consumer Fraud Act violations related to home improvement contracts

Authorizes treble damages (3x compensatory damages) if the buyer completed the dispute resolution eligibility steps, made a pre-suit settlement offer that was rejected, was awarded damages exceeding that offer, and the violation was willful

Takes effect immediately with implementation required within 6 months of enactment