| HB 145 w/ HA 4 | Signed | Griffith | This Act will allow Delaware residents two new deductions from personal income tax. The first is a deduction from taxable income of up to $1,000 for contributions to an account in a Delaware-sponsored qualified tuition program, as that term is defined under 26 U.S.C. § 529 (a “529” College Savings Plan). The second is a deduction from taxable income of up to $5,000 for contributions to an account in a Delaware-sponsored ABLE program, as that term is defined under 26 U.S.C. § 529A (a “529A” Savings Account - a special account for meeting the needs of certain individuals with disabilities). The 529 and 529A deduction is only applicable to the Delaware-sponsored plan. A transfer or rollover from another account authorized under 26 U.S.C. §§ 529 and 529A or for a change in beneficiary of any such account does not qualify for the deduction.
This Act takes effect on the date the Secretary of Finance provides written notice to the Registrar of Regulations that the Division of Revenue has implemented the personal income tax release of the Internal Revenue Administration System. | AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COLLEGE SAVINGS AND “ABLE” SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. |
| HB 271 | Signed | Heffernan | The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) is charged with providing transitional and independent living services for youth ages 14 to 21. The Division of Family Services (DFS) contracts for case management services for youth ages 16 to 21, with services designed to promote self-sufficiency and responsible living for young adults who are aging out of foster care. Participants receive life skills training and personal development, mentoring, tuition assistance, and support with transitional housing. Participants may also qualify to receive needs-based stipends through ASSIST (Achieving Self Sufficiency & Independence through Supported Transition) to help with living expenses. DFS recently changed the name of the Independent Living Program to the “Transitional and Independent Living Program” to better reflect the comprehensive nature of services offered to youth. This bill updates references to the program to include “transitional” and independent living services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided additional funding to support young adults who were eligible for independent living services until age 27. The intent was to provide additional support for youth and mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their housing and employment status. DFS exercised this additional funding authority via a mandatory directive from the DFS Director. While the mandatory directive provision expanding services expired in October 2021, DFS decided it would continue providing independent living services for youth until age 23 because of the success observed on behalf of youth. This mandatory directive provision will expire in September 2022, and this bill will grant DFS the statutory authority to continue providing transitional and independent living services for youth until age 23. Expanding independent and transitional living services from age 21 to age 23 better aligns with case management requirements of housing assistance programs, will support youth with transitioning from post-secondary education programs into the workforce, and will help maintain a longer connection to youth required to complete federal reporting for DFS.
| AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 13 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE. |
| SB 205 | Signed | Gay | The Bill expands the availability of free feminine hygiene products at all public and charter schools.
| AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF FREE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS. |
| SB 233 w/ SA 1 | Committee | Lockman | In January 2021, of the 57 municipalities in this State, the following 12 municipalities had an agreement with the Department of Elections to use the State’s Voter Registration System to determine if a resident of the municipality is eligible to vote in a municipal election: Camden, Delaware City, Dover, Elsmere, Georgetown, Harrington, New Castle, Newark, Smyrna, Townsend, Wilmington, and Wyoming. Since January 2021, the General Assembly has adopted charter changes authorizing Laurel, Lewes, Milton, and Seaford to use the State’s Voter Registration System, and Milford adopted an ordinance to do so. The residents of the remaining municipalities are required to register with the municipality before voting in a municipal election.
While some municipalities are exploring ending municipal voter registration requirements, and the General Assembly has authorized some to do so by changing their charter, this Act would do so for all municipalities as it relates to resident voters. A municipality would continue to be required to maintain municipal voter registration requirements for nonresident voters, as those voters would not be included in the State’s Voter Registration System.
This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. | AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. |
| HCR 59 | Passed | Baumbach | This House Concurrent Resolution proclaims the month of April 2022 as “Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month” in the State of Delaware. | PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2022 AS “SIKH AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. |
| HCR 61 | Passed | Briggs King | This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the impact of CHEER, a nonprofit organization that has provided seniors in Delaware with critical services for over half a century. | HONORING CHEER, INC. FOR PROVIDING INVALUABLE AND IRREPLACEABLE SERVICES FOR OUR SENIOR POPULATION. |
| SA 1 to SB 233 | Passed | Lockman | This Amendment delays the implementation of the Act until July 1, 2024. | |
