Daily Report for 7/2/2017

Governor's Actions

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
SB 137SignedMcBride This Act provides for the expense of State government after June 30, 2017, on a temporary basis as appropriated under the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget and for granting authority to continue appropriation lines in the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget, the Fiscal Year 2017 Bond and Capital Improvements Act, and the Fiscal Year 2017 Grants-in-Aid Act.AN ACT RELATING TO THE CONTINUANCE AND MAKING OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE EXPENSE OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT AFTER JUNE 30, 2017, ON A TEMPORARY BASIS AND CONTINUING IN EFFECT THE PROVISIONS OF THE APPROPRIATION ACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017, CHAPTER 298, VOLUME 80 OF THE LAWS OF DELAWARE, AND FOR GRANTING AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE APPROPRIATION LINES IN THE APPROPRIATION ACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017, THE BOND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017, CHAPTER 299, VOLUME 80 OF THE LAWS OF DELAWARE, AND THE GRANTS-IN-AID ACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017, CHAPTER 300, VOLUME 80 OF THE LAWS OF DELAWARE.

New Legislation Introduced

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 281SignedM. SmithThis Act provides supplementary appropriations to certain Grants-in-Aid for Fiscal Year 2018. Section 1 – Government Units and Senior Center $18,608,587 Section 2 – One-Times and Community Agencies $13,684,001 Section 3 – Fire Companies $4,712,084 Section 4 – Veterans Organizations $244,233 GRAND TOTAL $37,248,905 AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN GRANTS-IN-AID FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018; SPECIFYING CERTAIN PROCEDURES, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS.
SA 1 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment makes a technical correction in the bill.  
SA 2 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment makes a technical correction to the bill.  
SA 3 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis Amendment makes a technical correction on line 17. 
HA 1 to HR 19PWBD. ShortThis amendment makes a technical correction. 
SA 4 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for contractors.  
SA 5 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold amount for subcontractors for exemption.  
SA 6 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis Amendment makes a technical correction to line 15. 
SA 7 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for contractors.  
SA 8 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis Amendment changes "shall" on line 13 to "may". 
SA 9 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis Amendment makes a technical correction to line 11. 
SA 11 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis Amendment makes a technical correction on line 12. 
SA 10 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for contractors.  
SA 12 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for contractors.  
SA 13 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for subcontractors.  
SA 14 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for subcontractors.  
SA 15 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis Amendment makes technical corrections to line 9 and 11. 
SA 16 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for subcontractors.  
SA 17 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for subcontractors.  
SA 18 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis Amendment makes a technical correction to line 8. 
SA 19 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment changes the threshold amount for exemption.  
SA 20 to SS 1 for SB 76StrickenBoniniThis amendment increases the threshold for exemption for subcontractors.  

Legislation Passed By Senate

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 81SignedB. ShortThis legislation revises § 5006 of the Insurance Code to track the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Model Holding Company Act with respect to the Commissioner’s power to examine insurers and have access to books and records of insurers in order to ensure compliance with the Holding Company Act.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INSURANCE.
HB 145SignedParadeeABLE accounts are special savings accounts established for certain persons with disabilities. This bill clarifies the treatment of funds in an ABLE account upon the death of a designated beneficiary. Specifically it prohibits State agencies or instrumentalities from clawing back from the ABLE account any funds it has expended on behalf of a designated beneficiary.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.
HB 176 w/ HA 1, HA 2SignedHudsonThis bill gives local school boards or charter school boards more discretion on a case by case basis to suspend students for the possession of a deadly weapon other than a firearm in a Safe School or Recreation Zone. This bill is the result of a case in the Brandywine School District.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSION OF A WEAPON IN A SAFE SCHOOL AND RECREATION ZONE.
HB 178 w/ HA 1SignedLynnThe children of parents who divorce or were never married often share a surname with only one parent, which may lead to confusion or hardship when schools, doctors, or others fail to recognize the child’s connection with the parent with whom the child does not share a similar surname. Parents and children in such circumstances have compelling reason to seek to add a second surname to the child’s name. Delaware law currently provides that a petition to change a minor’s surname should be granted if there are no reasons for not granting the petition. This standard applies to changing a minor’s name, regardless of whether the change is to eliminate and replace an existing surname or simply add a second surname, and also puts the burden on the petitioning parent to demonstrate that the petition should be granted. This Act separates circumstance in which a parent seeks to replace a minor’s surname from those in which a parent seeks to add to the minor’s surname, by establishing a presumption in favor of granting a petition to add a parent’s surname to a minor’s surname either as an additional name or hyphenated with the minor’s previously existing surname. The presumption in favor of granting the petition may be overcome by the opposing parent establishing by clear and convincing evidence that the consideration of several, specific factors demonstrate that granting the petition would cause the minor more harm than benefit. The factors specified in this Act are taken from the larger list of factors which Delaware Courts have developed through case law to consider when determining whether to grant a petition to change a minor’s surname and do not include the factors which are relevant only when a parent seeks to replace, rather than add to, the minor’s surname.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MINORS' PETITIONS FOR NAME CHANGE.
HB 197SignedGrayThis bill makes changes to the Delaware Professional Engineers' licensing chapter to: 1. Limit license reinstatement to a 4-year period instead of the current 10-year period. 2. Clarifies the requirement necessary for an out-of-state Professional Engineer to obtain a temporary permit and licensure in Delaware. 3. Allows the use of an electronic signature and date. Previously only an electronic seal was authorized. 4. Clarifies that a licensee from another jurisdiction can be disciplined after they have voluntarily surrendered their license in the other jurisdiction.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.
HB 201SignedB. ShortThis Act clarifies that after a physician-patient relationship has been properly established in accordance with this section, subsequent communications and treatment may be conducted as the doctor and patient deem appropriate. As with all practice of medicine, such subsequent interactions must still meet the standard of care for the given field of medicine. The Act also clarifies that this statute is not intended to limit the practice of radiology or pathology – fields in which it has long been standard for an off-site specialist to examine records created by a treating physician or technician. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TELEMEDICINE.
HB 203SignedBoldenThis Act directs the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, Division of Public Health, and Office of Management and Budget – Human Resources Management (“the Agencies”) to report to the General Assembly every 2 years the impacts and costs associated with diabetes. The first report is due by June 30, 2019. The report shall include: (1) Data reflecting the prevalence and burden of diabetes in Delaware. (2) Activities related to diabetes programs and initiatives throughout the State. (3) An estimate of the financial impact of diabetes on each of the Agencies. (4) The number of people impacted or served by each of the Agencies with regard to diabetes, including programs and initiatives designed to reach individuals with diabetes and prediabetes. (5) A description of each of the Agencies’ implemented programs and activities aimed at improving diabetes care and preventing the disease, and an assessment of the expected benefits and outcomes for each program and activity. (6) Current funding levels for each of the Agencies to implement programs and activities aimed at reaching individuals with diabetes and prediabetes. (7) Each of the Agencies’ individual plans, including recommendations to address the prevention and control of diabetes, the intended outcomes of the recommendations, and estimates of the funding and time required to implement the recommendations. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DIABETES.
HB 210SignedRamoneThis bill allows minors subject to debilitating medical conditions not specifically listed in § 4906A(b) the same petition process to have their condition considered as that allowed for adults.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT.
HB 211SignedBoldenSection one of this Act would grant access to data from the prescription monitoring program to the Drug Overdose Fatality Review Commission, which would significantly enhance the Commission’s ability to meet its statutory duties. In addition, this section of the amendment broadens the pool of individuals from the Division of Forensic Science who may be designated as members to the Commission. This section of the amendment also clarifies the scope of records that may be compelled for production by the Commission. Sections two and three of this Act allows the Drug Overdose Fatality Review Commission to obtain and review medical records, including mental health and substance abuse records, in furtherance of its statutory duties and in compliance with Delaware’s privacy and confidentiality laws.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ENLARGEMENT OF THE COMPOSITION AND SCOPE OF HEALTH INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE DRUG OVERDOSE FATALITY REVIEW COMMISSION.
HB 229 w/ HA 1 + SA 1SignedJaquesThis bill concerns sick leave payout for retired State Troopers who became reemployed in public education. Specifically, this bill adds language to the code that would treat retired State Troopers the same as other educational employees as it relates to sick leave payment upon separation from educational employment. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATED TO UNUSED SICK LEAVE UPON SEPARATION OF SERVICE.
HB 241 w/ HA 1SignedSchwartzkopfThis Act increases the State’s alcoholic beverage tax rates. The rate for beer increases by 2¢ per 12 ounce can. The rate for wine increases by approximately 3¢ per 5 ounce serving. The rate for spirits containing more than 25% ethyl alcohol by volume increases by 15¢ per 750 ml bottle.AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 5, TITLE 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TAXES ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
HB 242SignedSchwartzkopfVapor products, commonly known as e-cigarettes or vape products, are increasing in popularity. This Act adds a definition of vapor products to Chapter 53, Title 30 (regarding Tobacco Product Tax), includes vapor products as a type of tobacco product, and makes other amendments to the Chapter to require those who deal in vapor products to obtain licenses just like those who deal in traditional tobacco products and to impose a tax on vapor products. This Act also increases the tax on tobacco products. Specifically, this Act does the following related to tobacco product and vapor product taxes: (1) Increases the tax on cigarettes from $1.60 to $2.10 per 20 cigarette pack. (2) Increases the tax on all tobacco products other than vapor products, moist snuff, and cigarettes from 15% of the wholesale price to 30% of the wholesale price. (3) Imposes a tax of 5 cents per fluid millimeter of vapor product. (4) Increases the tax on moist snuff from 54 cents per ounce to 92 cents per ounce. This Act also increases the fees charged for retail tobacco product licenses and tobacco product vending machine licenses. These license fees were originally established in 1964. The retail license fee was last increased in 1969. The vending machine license fee was last increased in 1976. The licensing fees adopted by this Act are similar to, or less than, the fees charged by other states in the region. By including vapor products in the definition of tobacco products, vapor product wholesalers, retailers, and vending machine operators must pay license fees at the same rates as for traditional tobacco products. Section 28 establishes when the Sections of this Act take effect and how increases in existing taxes are to be handled. Finally, this Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCT, INCLUDING VAPOR PRODUCT, TAXATION AND LICENSING.
HB 246SignedOsienskiThis bill would increase the exemption from inspection from 5 years to 7 years.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND LICENSES OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
HCR 39 w/ HA 2, HA 4 + SA 1 + HA 5PassedJaquesThis concurrent resolution establishes a Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding the impact of consolidating school districts in the state of Delaware.ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION.
HB 257 w/ HA 1SignedMitchellThis bill increases the line of duty death benefits from $150,000 to $200,000 for those persons covered under Chapter 66, Title 18 of the Delaware Code. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum amount payable in any year from $30,000 to $40,000.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LINE-OF-DUTY DEATH BENEFITS.
HB 265SignedMitchellThe purpose of this bill is to make full time paid firefighters in volunteer fire companies in this State eligible to join the Delaware County and Municipal/Police/Firefighter Pension Plan.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 RELATING TO THE DELAWARE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL POLICE/FIREFIGHTER PENSION PLAN
SA 1 to HB 229PassedEnnisThis amendment replaces House Amendment No. 1, and will cap the total number of days a State Police Officer can receive compensation for unused sick days at 75 days, whether claimed in full following retirement from DSP or in combination with a second state job. 
HJR 9SignedM. SmithThis Resolution provides the official revenue, refund, and unencumbered funds estimates for Fiscal Year 2017THE OFFICIAL GENERAL FUND REVENUE ESTIMATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
HJR 10SignedM. SmithThis Resolution provides the official revenue, refund, and unencumbered funds estimates for Fiscal Year 2018.THE OFFICIAL GENERAL FUND REVENUE ESTIMATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018.
HB 279SignedSchwartzkopfThis Act increases by 1% the rate of realty transfer tax to be received by the State.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REALTY TRANSFER TAX.

Legislation Passed By House of Representatives

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 64 w/ SA 2SignedBriggs KingMothers who give birth to monoamniotic twins are often hospitalized as early as 26 weeks into the pregnancy due to the risk of complications of having twins share a single amniotic sack. Mothers who give birth to multiples of 3 or more often have the same issue of requiring extensive medical pre-natal care. As a result, the benefits provided under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) are often exhausted by the time the mother and children are discharged from the hospital. This bill provides that mothers who are full time state employees may have up to six weeks of unpaid leave following the newborn(s) discharge from the hospital even if their FMLA benefits have been exhausted.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE.
SB 40 w/ SA 1SignedBushwellerThis legislation adopts the NAIC’s Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure Model Act, and requires Delaware-domiciled insurers to provide to the Commissioner on an annual basis a summary of the insurer’s or insurance group’s corporate governance structures, policies and practices to permit the Commissioner to gain and maintain an understanding of the insurer’s corporate governance framework.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INSURANCE COMPANY DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.
SB 42 w/ SA 2SignedBushwellerThis Act permits individuals to add their resident minor child and foster child to their existing motor vehicle insurance policies as additional drivers.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ADDITION OF MINOR LICENSED CHILDREN AND FOSTER CHILDREN TO EXISTING MOTOR VEHICLE POLICIES.
SB 46 w/ SA 1SignedTownsendThis legislation modernizes Delaware's Self-Service Storage Facility Act to account for the wide proliferation of online news and auction sites, as well as to establish frameworks for: (1) towing of certain property for which rent and other charges are in default; (2) use of information contained within property sold or otherwise disposed of; and (3) contractual provisions relating to limits on the value of stored property and to late fees, as well as transparency related to both.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES.
HR 18PassedBriggs KingThis resolution commends the Police Unity Tour and its participants for honoring law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.COMMENDING THE POLICE UNITY TOUR - DELAWARE.
SB 66SignedBushwellerOn June 30, 2016, the Delaware State Senate adopted Senate Resolution No. 19 (“S.R. 19”), requesting the Delaware Department of Insurance (the “Department”) to examine the secondary market for life insurance policies and make recommendations for possible legislation. In response to S.R. 19, the Department issued a report in December 2016 recommending the adoption of the Model Viatical Settlements Act adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). This bill significantly modifies 18 Del. C. Chapter 75, the Delaware Viatical Settlements Act by adopting the NAIC Model. This bill establishes strong consumer protections while protecting policyholder rights. Key provisions include: • The bill significantly expands the class of persons, known as “viators,” who are permitted to enter into viatical settlement contracts. Under present law, viators are defined as individuals with a catastrophic, life threatening or chronic illness or condition. This physical condition restriction is eliminated in this bill (Section 7502(20)). • A limited 5 year settlement prohibition targeting transactions with characteristics of stranger-originated life insurance, such as non-recourse financing, settlement guarantees, or life expectancy valuations. (Section 7511). • Protection of consumer property rights by permitting any-time settlements for cause such as death of spouse, divorce, disability, bankruptcy, loss of job, or chronic or terminal illness (Section 7511), and by requiring full disclosure to the prospective viator (Section 7508). • Expanded consumer right to rescind a settlement contract for up to 60 days (Section 7510(c)). • Settlement reporting requirements to enable regulators to identify and stop stranger-originated life insurance (Section 7506). • Prohibition on advertising representing that insurance is “free” or at “no cost” (Sections 7512(d) and 7513(e)). • Disclosure to insurers of any plan to originate, renew, or finance a policy prior to or within 5 years of policy issue (Section 7509). • A comprehensive definition of “viatical settlement contract” which includes policy transfers regardless of when they occur if they include indicia of stranger-originated life insurance, and transfers which do not fall within a legitimate settlement exception, such as non-recourse financing arrangements, debt forgiveness, or settlement guarantees (Section 7502(15)). • The bill contains fraud prevention and control measures, grants regulatory authority to the Insurance Commissioner to address violations of the Act through the issuance of cease and desist orders, imposition of civil penalties, petitions for injunctive relief, and other enforcement measures. The bill also allows persons injured by violations of the Act to bring civil actions, and allows the Attorney General to seek criminal penalties for “fraudulent viatical acts,” as defined in the Act. The criminal penalties in the current version of the bill are based on the penalties for theft in 11 Del. C. § 841. The bill expressly states that it does not preempt the authority or relieve the duty of the Attorney General or any other law enforcement or regulatory agencies to investigate, examine, and prosecute suspected violations of law. • Section 7518 of the bill provides that nothing in this chapter preempts any provision of the Delaware Securities Act, as amended, including the regulation of securities transactions in viatical settlement investments and the licensing of any person or entity engaged in the sale of securities. Enactment of the NAIC Model will provide regulators with strong and important tools to combat stranger-originated life insurance and the fraudulent behavior it engenders, while continuing to allow honest policyholders to exercise all of their individual and contractual rights.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VIATICAL AND LIFE SETTLEMENTS.
SB 68SignedEnnisThe primary purpose of this bill is to provide for an increase in fees collected with annual hazardous chemical inventory reports submitted by facilities. The bill also makes certain technical corrections. Sections 1 and 2 of the bill add the term “safety data sheets,” where applicable, so that the terminology in Chapter 63, Title 16 of the Delaware Code comports with federal and international standards. Section 3 of this bill would increase the current fee per hazardous chemical from $40 to $60, and per extremely hazardous substance from $80 to $100, starting in 2018. Existing fee amounts are maintained for reports submitted late for back years. The fees were originally established in 1991, and have remained unchanged for 26 years. Fees collected are appropriated to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), and are used primarily to support operation of Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCS). Funds are also used to support emergency response vehicles for decontamination. Section 4 of this bill removes an unneeded provision that conflicts with the purpose of the fees as stated within Chapter 63. Section 5 inserts an exemption provision omitted when Chapter 63 was originally established, and provides alignment with related federal reporting requirements.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RIGHT TO KNOW ACT.
SB 75 w/ HA 1SignedRichardsonThis Act updates Delaware's human trafficking crime to prohibit the same acts that are included in the federal Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TRAFFICKING OF AN INDIVIDUAL, FORCED LABOR, AND SEXUAL SERVITUDE.
HB 170 w/ SA 1, SA 1 to SA 1SignedRamoneThis legislation, the Angel Investor Job Creation and Innovation Act for Small Technology Companies, creates an incentive for qualified angel investors to invest capital in qualified Delaware small technology companies..AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 29 AND 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ANGEL INVESTOR JOB CREATION AND INNOVATION ACT .
HB 177 w/ SA 1SignedBaumbachThis bill broadens the eligibility requirement for an appointment to a board of adjustment in jurisdictions which have adopted a home rule charter. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATED TO MUNICIPAL BOARDS OF ADJUSTMENT.
HA 1 to HB 176PassedHudsonThis amendment makes a technical correction. 
HCR 48PassedYearickThis Resolution proclaims the week of July 10-14, 2017 as Delaware Local Produce Week. This is the third consecutive year this observation is being staged in an attempt to facilitate a better, healthier relationship between Delaware famers and local consumers.PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF JULY 10-14, 2017 AS DELAWARE LOCAL PRODUCE WEEK.
HCR 47PassedKentonThis resolution recognizes the week of September 17 – 24, 2017 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Week.RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17-24, 2017 AS "PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SB 105 w/ SA 1SignedEnnisPersons under age 18 must wear a helmet when operating or riding as a passenger on a bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, all terrain vehicle (ATV), off-highway vehicle (OHV), or electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD). See Title 21 Del. C. §§ 4198K, 4198N, 6823, and 4098O respectively. This bill would achieve consistency by requiring moped and triped operators and passengers to wear a helmet if under age 18. This legislation is an initiative of the State Council for Persons with Disabilities Brain Injury Committee to reduce the incidence of brain injuries among minors.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD HELMET REQUIREMENTS.
SB 106 w/ SA 1SignedPettyjohnThis Act creates a special license plate for members of the Delaware Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE OR REGISTRATION PLATES.
SCR 26PassedMcDowellThis Concurrent Resolution recognizes June 2017 as LGBTQ Pride Month in the State of Delaware.RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2017 AS LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HA 1 to SB 46DefeatedSmykThis amendment requires publication in a newspaper "and" on a publicly-accessible independent website that regularly conducts on-line auctions of personal property. 
SB 107 w/ HA 1SignedHansenThis bill requires the Division of Public Health and the Department of Education to collaborate with local school districts to find ways to help improve the indoor environment in schools. The bill also requires the Division of Public Health to establish an online portal on the DHSS website through which it will provide technical expertise and exchange information with local school districts in order to help improve the air quality and overall indoor environment in schools. The bill also requires the Department of Education to notify local school districts of the portal every year.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HEALTHY SCHOOLS INDOOR ENVIRONMENT PORTAL.
SB 108SignedEnnisSB 164 of the 148th General Assembly created a special license plate for professional paramedics and retired professional paramedics. This Act provides an additional officer, at the county level, to verify an applicant's eligibility for this special license plate.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE OR REGISTRATION PLATES.
SB 109SignedTownsendIndividuals who receive health care via Medicaid deserve the same dedication to treatment of substance abuse disorders as individuals who receive health care via private insurance. This Act extends the same access to treatment of a substance use disorder within the Medicaid framework that Senate Bill 41 of the 149th General Assembly afforded to individuals covered by private health insurance, except that a 72 hour supply instead of 5 day supply of emergency medication is required. This Act also clarifies that Medicaid health plans must use the full set of American Society of Addiction Medicine criteria when determining whether “medical necessity” exists for the placement, continued stay, and transfer/discharge of patients with a substance use disorder in treatment programs. Additionally, this Act aligns protections relating to services, specifically 5 days of treatment in detox centers and 30 days of treatment in Intensive Outpatient Programs, with the residential treatment option that is protected pursuant to Senate Bill 41 of the 149th General Assembly.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COVERAGE FOR SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY.
SB 110SignedWalshThis Act removes the Colonel of the New Castle County Police Department from the Delaware Emergency Medical Services Oversight Council ("DEMSOC") and replaces the Colonel with the Chief of the New Castle County Emergency Medical Services. In 2006, the County restructured the Department of Public Safety so that the Chief of Police is no longer in charge of the paramedics. The Chief of the New Castle County Emergency Medical Services has been designated as the representative by the Colonel; however, any requests for a substitute representative with voting proxy would have to be done by the Colonel. This change thus reflects the current organization of New Castle County Emergency Medical Services but does not change the entity that has a member on DEMSOC.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEMS.
SS 1 for SB 43 w/ SA 1SignedSimpsonThis Act regulates the practice of art therapy placing control of the profession under the Board of Mental health and Chemical Dependency Professionals and amending Chapter 30 of Title 24 by adding Subchapter V. Professional Art Therapists. The Art Therapy Practice Act will serve and protect the public by defining the scope of practice of art therapy; setting minimum standards of qualification, education, training, and experience for art therapists; and maintaining certain standards in the delivery of art therapy services. This Act also requires the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency to appoint one or more credentialed volunteer art therapists to advise and assist the Board in matters pertaining to art therapists.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE LICENSURE OF ART THERAPISTS.
HB 231 w/ SA 1SignedSpiegelmanThis bill creates an Abandoned Cultural Property Act. The act allows museums to establish title to property that has been donated or left with the museum after any loan period has terminated and the lender cannot be found. Currently such assets drain the museum resources by taking up space and having to be cared for. Museums need a process by which they can establish clear title to abandoned, unclaimed, or unsolicited property. This law will allow more efficient use of museum funds and will assist museums to conserve, display, and ethically dispose of abandoned, unclaimed, or unsolicited property. This bill is modeled after Indiana's law. Delaware is 1 of only 4 states that has no law relating to Abandoned Cultural Property.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ABANDONED, UNCLAIMED, OR UNSOLICITED CULTURAL PROPERTY.
HCR 41PassedSmykThis resolution recognizes the month of June 2017 as General Aviation Appreciation Month.RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2017 AS "GENERAL AVIATION APPRECIATION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 33PassedMcBride This resolution creates the Administrative Law Improvement Task Force, which is charged with reviewing Delaware’s Administrative Procedures Act and other related statutes for the purpose of making recommendations to modernize Delaware’s administrative tribunal process, including judicial review of administrative tribunal decisions and processes for disputes involving land use and real property, including the Landlord Tenant Code.CREATING AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW IMPROVEMENT TASK FORCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING AND IMPROVING THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT, PROCESSES FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF DECISIONS BY ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AND PROCESSES FOR DISPUTES INVOLVING LAND USE AND REAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING THE LANDLORD TENANT CODE.
SB 123SignedPettyjohnThis Act allows motor vehicles with a registered gross weight of 5,000 pounds or less to be assigned any type of number plate and motor vehicles with a registered gross weight of greater than 5000 pounds but less than 10000 pounds may be assigned any type of number plate except an “RV” plate.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VEHICLE REGISTRATION.
HA 1 to SB 75PassedBaumbachThis Amendment removes patronizes from the acts being added to Delaware's human trafficking crime to avoid confusion because the crime of patronizing a victim of sexual servitude already exists in this statute, in paragraph (b)(4). 
HA 1 to HB 241PassedSchwartzkopfThis amendment changes the tax rates for beer, cider, wine and ethyl alcohol. 
SCR 37PassedPooreThis Concurrent Resolution signifies the Delaware Center for Health Innovation and the Department of Health and Social Services' submission of the joint report pertaining to Community Health Workers.PRESENTING THE DELAWARE CENTER FOR HEALTH INNOVATION AND THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES FINDINGS AND REPORTED RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.
HA 2 to HB 176PassedHudsonThis amendment modifies the proposed bill by clarifying the suspension for deadly weapons is an alternative option in lieu of a requirement.  
HB 268 w/ SA 1VetoedK. WilliamsThis bill converts the senior property tax credit from a credit against the school taxes imposed and collected at the county level to a means-tested refundable income tax credit to be administered by the Department of Finance, Division of Revenue. For eligible seniors who do not file a personal income tax because their income falls below the threshold set by the Code, the Division will issue a rebate in the amount for which that person is eligible. The Division is authorized to promulgate whatever forms or rules are necessary to administer this section. The tax credit will become effective as early as tax year 2019 upon certification by the Secretary of Finance that systems are in place for the Division of Revenue to administer the credit.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14, TITLE 29, AND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SENIOR PROPERTY TAX.
HR 20PassedK. WilliamsPay for Success arrangements, whereby a government enters into a contract that ties payment for service delivery to the achievement of measurable outcomes, are an innovative tool being used by state and local governments. This Resolution tasks the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Finance, and the Office of the Controller General with evaluating the potential for the State to enter into a Pay for Success contract with a report due to the members of the General Assembly by December 31, 2017.DIRECTING THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, AND THE OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER GENERAL TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL FOR APPLICATION OF PAY FOR SUCCESS METHODOLOGY IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HA 1 to SB 107PassedJaquesThis amendment requires schools to post the number for the Division of Public Health so parents will have immediate access to make inquires and express concerns. In addition, it enables the Division of Public Health to make unannounced visits to schools. 
HA 1 to HB 257PassedMitchellThis amendment clarifies that the increased benefit shall be for claims submitted on or after July 1, 2017. 

Senate Committee Assignments

No Senate Committee Assignments

House Committee Assignments

Committee
Agriculture
Appropriations
Labor

Senate Committee Report

No Senate Committee Report

House Committee Report

No House Committee Report

Senate Defeated Legislation

No Senate Defeated Legislation

House Defeated Legislation

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HA 1 to HS 1 for HB 275DefeatedKowalkoThis amendment to the budget bill removes the provision that overrides 14 Del. C. § 508’s requirement that the State reimbursement to charter schools for transportation is limited to the lower of the formula or the actual bid costs. Traditional public schools are similarly limited to the approved formula or a bid amount, pursuant to the Delaware Administrative Code.  

Nominations Enacted upon by the Senate

No Records