Daily Report for 6/29/2023

Governor's Actions

No legislation is Signed by Governor Today

New Legislation Introduced

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
SCR 82Passed SenateBrownThis resolution recognizes October 18, 2023, as "Financial Aid Day" in Delaware.RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 18, 2023, AS "FINANCIAL AID DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HR 19PassedRomerThis resolution recognizes the month of October 2023 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023 AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
HR 20PassedSchwartzkopfThis Resolution recognizes Thursday, June 29, 2023, as “Staff Appreciation Day” in the House of Representatives.RECOGNIZING JUNE 29, 2023, AS "STAFF APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
HR 21PassedLonghurstThis resolution recognizes the month of September 2023 as Alopecia Awareness Month.DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2023 AS ALOPECIA AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HB 197SignedCarsonThis Act provides supplementary appropriations to certain Grants-in-Aid recipients for Fiscal Year 2024. Section 1 – Government Units and Senior Centers $ 29,361,705 Section 2 – One-Times and Community Agencies $ 31,912,877 Section 3 – Fire Companies and Public Service Ambulance Companies $ 10,109,451 Section 4 – Veterans Organizations $ 608,591 GRAND TOTAL $ 71,992,624AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN GRANTS-IN-AID FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024; SPECIFYING CERTAIN PROCEDURES, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 APPROPRIATIONS ACT; AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 ONE-TIME SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT; AND AMENDING CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS.
HA 2 to HB 206StrickenK. JohnsonThis amendment makes technical corrections and provides that no member of the Commission appointed by the Governor may be a current or former member of law-enforcement or affiliated with law-enforcement. It also requires that the public members appointed by the Governor be made based upon non-binding recommendations from the NAACP, Delaware Center for Justice, and any other interested non-profit organization that wishes to submit names. 
SCR 101Passed SenateBrownThis resolution recognizes October 1, 2023, as "FAFSA Day" in Delaware.RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 1, 2023, AS "FAFSA DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SA 1 to HB 65DefeatedBucksonThis amendment clarifies that this Act's definition of "other loss" only includes termination of pregnancy for therapeutic reasons.  
SA 1 to HB 185DefeatedBucksonThis Amendment revises the definition of “regular officer or employee” to require a 1-month waiting period for the State to pay its share of premium or subscription charges for health care coverage under § 5202 of Title 29 of the Delaware Code for benefit eligible State employees. 
SB 196CommitteePooreThis legislation establishes a voluntary certification program for 24/7 Emergent Physician Care Centers and is designed to help Delawareans chose the right level of walk-in, medical care. The importance of 24/7 Physician Care Centers in the delivery of urgent and emergent health care services in times of crisis was exhibited during the recent COVID-19 Pandemic. Currently, Delawareans have no assistance in determining the varying levels of services available at urgent care facilities. This legislation creates the category of and defines the minimum level of services necessary for 24/7 Emergent Physician Care Centers. The minimum requirements for 24/7 Emergent Physician Care Centers include being open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, having a Delaware licensed physician and registered nurse on site at all times, providing lab and diagnostic imaging services, providing on-site splinting, fracture care and suturing, and not refusing care to any person due to inability to pay or lack of identification.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO 24/7 EMERGENT PHYSICIAN CARE CENTERS.
SA 1 to HS 1 for HB 114PassedPinkneyThis Amendment requires that certified recovery houses collect and report data on the destinations of former residents who complied with a request to leave or were removed from the certified recovery house. This Amendment also corrects a typographical error and revises § 5102(6) of Title 25 to use the term “certified recovery house” because that is the defined term under § 2201A of Title 16. 
SCR 100LOTLawsonThis resolution is an application for a Convention of the States under Article V of the Constitution of the United States. APPLICATION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

Legislation Passed By Senate

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HB 65SignedHeffernanAccording to the Mayo Clinic, miscarriages occur in about 20% of all pregnancies, and generally, in the first 12 weeks. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 out of every 100 American pregnancies ends in stillbirth. Black women have a significantly higher risk of miscarrying— 43% higher when compared to white women. Black mothers are also more than twice as likely to experience stillbirth compared to Hispanic and white mothers. This bill provides State employees who suffer a miscarriage, stillbirth or other loss, a maximum of 5 days of paid bereavement leave. This Act shall be known as the "Sloane Hajek Act of 2023".AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO BEREAVEMENT LEAVE.
HCR 70PassedBriggs KingThis Resolution recognizes June 2023 as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Month” and June 27, 2023, as “Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Day”, and encourages State agencies to continue their work educating victims of assault or abuse, combat, serious accidents, and natural disasters about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of PTSI. RECOGNIZING JUNE 2023 AS "POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY MONTH" AND JUNE 27, 2023 AS "POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY DAY".
HB 80SignedMinor-BrownThis Act requires that doula services be covered by Medicaid in Delaware by January 1, 2024. It follows up on HB 343 from the 151st General Assembly which required the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance to submit a plan for implementing this coverage, and draws on that completed report.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COVERAGE OF DOULA SERVICES.
HB 85 w/ HA 1 + SA 1SignedBoldenThis Act creates a special license plate for retired state legislators. This Act shall be known as "The Senator Margaret Rose Henry Act". AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.
HB 82SignedGriffithThis Act requires the Department of Elections to biennially mail a notice to all registered voters informing the registrant of their polling place and containing the following additional information: a brief description of all available methods of voting; the dates and times on which the general and any primary election will be held; deadlines for voter registration for each election and for party changes before a primary; and a brief outline of procedures and requirements and polling places and early voting sites. If the notice is returned as undeliverable the Department is directed to follow a procedure already set forth in Code for attempting to update and verify voting registration records. The notice is to be mailed not later than 30 days before the state primary election.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COMMUNICATION OF ELECTION INFORMATION.
HB 4 w/ HA 2SignedLonghurstThis Act is Nolan’s Law. The purpose of this legislation is to provide more behavioral health supports to school districts and charter schools in the aftermath of a school-connected traumatic event, which is defined as the death of any student, educator, administrator, or other building employee of a public school. The Department of Education is charged with developing guidance, best practices, and written resources for schools dealing with a school-connected traumatic event. The Department must consult with behavioral health specialists and school-based mental health professional organizations such as NAMI, Delaware, Delaware Association of School Psychologists, Delaware School Counselors Association, and the School Social Workers Association of Delaware. The Department must finalize these items by January 1, 2024. This legislation also requires the Department to cover the costs of grief counseling offered to students for up to thirty days after a school-connected traumatic event. In an effort to create a more standardized approach for the occurrence of a school-connected traumatic event, this bill charges each school district and charter school to establish a detailed crisis response policy that must meet a minimum number of required policies and procedures. Policies must be adopted by the school district or charter and distributed to the Department of Education by September 1, 2024. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR SCHOOL TRAUMA.
HB 138SignedK. WilliamsThis Act establishes a Delaware Educator Apprenticeship Program to be developed by the Department of Education. The Department of Education will work with the Department of Labor to create a program that places aspiring teachers in paid positions in schools, while the teacher candidates complete the training and schooling necessary to become a Delaware credentialed teacher. This program will complement the Grow Your Own Educator Program and teacher residency programs to create a low-cost pathway for aspiring teachers to earn their teaching credentials and will address the educator shortage in Delaware. A pilot program will be created for the 2023-24 school year between 1 institute of higher education and 1 district or charter school. The program shall be expanded if interest and funding is available for the 2024-25 school year and thereafter. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TEACHER APPRENTICESHIPS.
HB 151 w/ HA 1SignedMorrisonThis Act expressly adds the intentional restriction of another adult’s access to economic resources resulting in a loss of financial autonomy to the definition of abuse for protection from abuse proceedings. This Act also specifies that tangible property of the petitioner includes legal documents belonging to the petitioner. In addition, this Act codifies the existing practice of Family Court to allow relief by ordering respondents to return specific legal documents. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROTECTION FROM ABUSE PROCEEDINGS.
HB 154 w/ HA 1, HA 4 + SA 1SignedGriffithThis bill creates the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act. The Act delineates a consumer’s personal data rights and provides that residents of this State will have the right to know what information is being collected about them, see the information, correct any inaccuracies, or request deletion of their personal data that is being maintained by entities or people. This Act is modeled after existing frameworks for data privacy in other jurisdictions. This Act will apply to entities that conduct business in the State of Delaware who controlled or processed the personal data of not less than 35,000 consumers or controlled or processed the personal data of not less than 10,000 consumers and derived more than 20 percent of their gross revenue from the sale of personal data. This Act requires Delaware Department of Justice to engage in public outreach to educate consumers and the business community about the Act beginning at least 6 months prior to the effective date of the Act.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PERSONAL DATA PRIVACY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION.
HB 158SignedBaumbachThis bill transfers the placement of the Cash Management Policy Board from within the Department of Finance to the Office of the State Treasurer and provides that support for the Board shall be determined by the State Treasurer as is currently done.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE CASH MANAGEMENT POLICY BOARD.
HB 177 w/ HA 1SignedHeffernanThis bill increases the amount of Compassionate Leave for eligible employees of the State upon the death of an immediate family member.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE LEAVE
HB 185SignedHeffernanThis legislation prioritizes recruitment and retention of State employees by removing the 3-month waiting period for the state to pay its share of premium or subscription charges for health care coverage under § 5202 of Title 29 for benefit eligible state employees hired on or after January 1, 2024 by revising the definition of a “regular office or employee.”AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEALTH CARE INSURANCE AND ELIMINATION OF THE STATE SHARE WAITING PERIOD.
HB 176SignedOsienskiThis bill would extend various deadlines in the Unemployment Code. The intent is to provide claimants and employers additional time to receive and prepare a response or appeal of benefit determinations and other important documents that require a response, in an effort to reduce the incidents of late filed appeals and missed deadlines. This would benefit claimants and employers by providing more time, while also reducing the administrative burden to the Division of Unemployment Insurance of responding to late appeals and late filed documents. This bill also makes conforming changes to additional sections of the Unemployment Code that provide for delivery by mail or other delivery methods to provide flexibility to the Division and Board if they decide to send notices and other documents by email or other delivery methods to reduce mailing expenses and increase efficiency. Finally, this bill confirms Superior Court precedent that Code references to “days” mean “calendar days” unless otherwise specified.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION DEADLINES.
HB 181SignedK. Williams This Act allows the State Bureau of Identification to release subsequent arrest notifications to the Department of Education for its employees and contractors. This Act also corrects existing typos in § 309 of Title 31 and makes clarifying changes to the processing of background checks when the Department of Education is the employer.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR CHILD-SERVING ENTITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
HB 184 w/ HA 1SignedRomerDelaware law expressly prohibits employment discrimination based upon surviving domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Such discrimination includes: (1) failing or refusing to hire or discharging an employee because the individual was a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking; or (2) failing or refusing to make reasonable accommodations to the limitations known to the employer and related to domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking. Current statute requires the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking to provide verification to their employer. This bill provides employers with the option to require verification in order to receive accommodations.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT.
HB 186 w/ HA 1SignedRomerThis Act makes changes to the requirements for placement on the sex offender registry of individuals who are adjudicated delinquent of certain offenses. First, it reduces the number of offenses for which placement on the sex offender registry is mandatory and the Family Court has no discretion to relieve a person adjudicated delinquent from the requirement or to reduce the tier assigned. Mandatory registration is still required for all degrees of rape (first through fourth) and conspiracy or attempt to commit any degree of rape. This Act will also allow an individual placed on the registry to petition the Family Court to be relieved from the registration or placed on a lower tier, either at the conclusion of any required treatment or after the passage of 2 years for most offenses, or after the passage of 5 years for those offenses that still require mandatory registration. The ability to petition for a registry review hearing after the mandated review period will apply to anyone placed on the registry because of a juvenile delinquency adjudication, regardless of the date of that adjudication. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INDIVIDUALS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDERS FOR ACTS COMMITTED WHEN THEY WERE CHILDREN.
HB 188 w/ HA 1SignedS. MooreThis Act codifies the Equity Ombudsman program, the purpose of which is to provide students and families encountering inequity in the school system with non-lawyer advocates to assist them. The Educational Equity Council, as a stakeholder council, provides oversight to the Equity Ombudsman program, to provide broad review, analysis and recommendations, for the improvement of student equity and outcomes in Delaware’s public education system.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PUBLIC EDUCATION EQUITY OMBUDSPERSON PROGRAM AND THE EDUCATION EQUITY COUNCIL.
HB 207SignedParker SelbyThis Act amends the Charter of The Town of Milton. Specifically, Section 1 of the Act allows for an exception to the lengthy annexation process for a contiguous property owner seeking annexation if the property is two acres or less. Section 2 of the Act then sets up that less cumbersome annexation process for properties two acres or less. Section 3 of the Act replaces the list of exceptions to competitive bidding with incorporation by reference of the more detailed Town of Milton Procurement Policy. Section 4 of the Act reinstates a prior limit on real property taxes to a function of the total of assessed values within the Town. Specifically, the “cap” is 0.5% of that total. Currently, the cap is a fixed number, $1,750,000. However, the Town has annexed into its limits a number of parcels that will necessarily require additional expenditures of Town funds for services such as policing and, therefore, the Town will need to collect additional real property taxes.AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF MILTON.
HB 219SignedBushThis Act expands eligibility for the investment and employment credit against corporation income tax available under 30 Del. C. § 2011 to the operators of climate-controlled fruit or vegetable growing facilities with at least 400,000 square feet of enclosed space. Eligibility for the expanded tax credit is conditioned on a qualified investment of at least $40 million.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TAX CREDITS FOR CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND QUALIFIED INVESTMENT IN BUSINESS FACILITIES.
HCR 66PassedSpiegelmanThis Resolution recognizes and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the National Wild Turkey Federation and acknowledges its significant contributions to wildlife management, habitat conservation, and outdoor traditions in the State of Delaware.COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION.
HCR 59PassedShupeThis Concurrent Resolution does all of the following: (1) Directs the Director of the Division of Research and the Director of the Legislative Information Systems Team of the Office of the Controller General to investigate the cost of, impact of, and methods and timeframe for implementing a requirement to include hyperlinks to laws cross-referenced in legislation and Delaware laws published by the General Assembly. (2) Requires the Director of the Division of Research and the Director of the Legislative Information Systems Team of the Office of the Controller General to submit a written report of their findings and recommendations no later than March 1, 2024.DIRECTING THE DIVISION OF RESEARCH AND LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS TEAM OF THE OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE THE COST OF, IMPACT OF, AND METHODS AND TIMEFRAME FOR IMPLEMENTING A REQUIREMENT TO INCLUDE HYPERLINKS TO LAWS CROSS-REFERENCED IN LEGISLATION AND DELAWARE LAWS PUBLISHED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
HB 227 w/ HA 2SignedLambertThis Act makes various amendments to the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act to improve compliance with its testing and reporting requirements. First, this Act requires physicians to take a training program every 2 years relating to the provisions of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. Second, it requires the Division of Public Health to develop electronic forms to be used at a child’s 12 and 24 month well visit that record lead screening results and are shared with the Divison. Third, it clarifies that laboratories and health care professionals involved in blood lead level analysis must report results to the the Division of Public Health. Finally, it requires the Division of Public Health to share data with school nurses relating to whether an enrolled student has been screened for lead poisoning. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 16 AND 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LEAD POISONING PREVENTION.
HCR 61PassedD. ShortThis resolution encourages support for the counties of this State in their effort to research and study the needs and finances of the volunteer fire services and paid ambulance entities of the State of Delaware. TO SUPPORT THE COUNTIES OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE IN THEIR EFFORT TO RESEARCH AND STUDY THE NEEDS AND FINANCES OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICES AND PAID AMBULANCE ENTITIES OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
HB 228SignedBushSection 1 of the bill amends Delaware’s file-and-use statute for insurance rate filings to extend the timeline for filing and reviewing insurers’ rate filing by (1) requiring rate filings to be filed at least 60 days in advance of the proposed effective date, and (2) authorizing the Commissioner to extend the timeframe to review the filing and postpone the effective date of the filing pending completion of the extended review. Section 2 of the bill sets forth the process for when the Commissioner proposes to deny a rate filing and requires that a filing may not become effective until a final order is issued. Section 2 of the bill also corrects technical errors in the current law. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INSURANCE RATE FILINGS.
HS 1 for HB 73SignedOsienskiThis House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 73 provides a 5-year statute of limitations for the Department of Labor to bring civil actions to recover nonfraud overpayment debts and no period of limitations to recover fraud overpayment debts. This portion of the Substitute will apply to overpayment debts for which the statute of limitations has not yet run, which includes those that accrued less than 3 years prior to the enactment of this Act. This Substitute expressly codifies the current law that there is no deadline for the Department to collect overpayment debts by offset of future benefits, by state Department of Revenue offset or by federal Treasury offset of tax refunds, the last of which is mandated by federal law. Finally, this Substitute creates an overpayment waiver program, effective retroactively to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to give the Department authority to waive non-fraud overpayments of traditional unemployment benefits resulting from either Department error or claimants receiving certain low-income public assistance. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CIVIL ACTIONS TO RECOVER OVERPAID UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
HB 229SignedChukwuochaThis Act removes the required window for submission of a final plan from the Redding Consortium to the State Board of Education and instead requires that the State Board act on any plan submitted by the Redding Consortium within 3 months. It also allows for the Redding Consortium to submit an interim plan prior to the completion of its full plan. Finally, it provides that the Consortium’s final report may include recommendations for policies and practices for systematic reform to address the negative impacts of the Neighborhood Schools Act. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REDDING CONSORTIUM FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUITY.
SA 1 to HB 85PassedPinkneyThis Amendment does the following: (1) Adds a definition of "retired state legislator". (2) Removes Section 2 of the bill, which titled the Act. (3) Makes technical corrections to conform to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. 
HB 236SignedOsienskiThis Act will continue for calendar year 2024 the temporary relief provided in calendar year 2023 to employers who pay unemployment tax assessments. It will continue to reduce new employer tax rates, hold constant overall employer tax rates from last calendar year, and reduce the maximum earned rate. This Act will also continue the temporary simplification of the tax rate schedules that are used to calculate unemployment assessments paid by employers. The Governor’s agreement to use federal pandemic funds to restore the pandemic-depleted Unemployment Trust Fund made the Unemployment Trust Fund sufficiently solvent and is allowing the Department to implement unemployment tax relief measures to Delaware employers for an additional one-year period for calendar year 2024. The Department estimates that these unemployment tax assessment changes will reduce the tax obligation of employers an estimated $50 million compared to the tax rates absent the temporary relief. This Act also restructures the supplemental assessment that is currently collected from all employers, keeping it at the same rate of 0.2%, but depositing it in the Special Administration Fund instead of the UI Trust Fund. This Act expands the uses for the Special Administration Fund to include future technology needs of the Department and makes technical corrections to the administration provisions of the Special Administration Fund to align with current State Treasurer practices. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMPLOYER ASSESSMENTS.
HCR 68PassedNealThis resolution asks representatives from New Castle County, Kent County, Sussex County, and the League of Local governments to convene to provide recommendations for improving accessible parking enforcement, compliance, signage, and uniformity in the State of Delaware.REQUESTING THE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES CONFER AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING ACCESSIBLE PARKING INFRASTRUCTURE, ENFORCEMENT, AND COMPLIANCE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
HCR 74PassedK. WilliamsThis concurrent resolution designates October of each year as “Dyslexia Awareness Month” in Delaware. According to the United States National Institute of Health, dyslexia is a learning disability that can hinder a person’s ability to read, write, spell, and sometimes speak. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in children and persists throughout life with 10 percent of the population or one out of every 10 people in the United States suffering from dyslexia. Children with dyslexia who are identified as dyslexic and provided with effective reading instruction in kindergarten and first grade, will have significantly fewer problems learning to read at grade level than children who are not identified as dyslexic or provided help until third grade or after. Proper diagnosis, early and appropriate treatment, and support from family, teachers, and friends will greatly increase a child’s academic success and self-esteem; however it is never too late for adults with dyslexia to learn to read, and process and express information more efficiently. October is National Dyslexia Awareness Month, reminding students and their parents that living with dyslexia can be tackled with early intervention. Each year during the month of October, conferences are held around the United States to promote awareness, research, and early identification of dyslexia. DESIGNATING OCTOBER AS “DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH” IN DELAWARE.
HCR 73PassedOsienski"This resolution recognizes the week of June 25th-July 1st, 2023 as "Deafblind Awareness Week."RECOGNIZING JUNE 25TH-JULY 1ST, 2023 AS "DEAFBLIND AWARENESS WEEK”
HCR 75PassedK. WilliamsThis Concurrent Resolution commends and congratulates the Secretary of Education Scholars for 2023.COMMENDING THE STUDENTS SELECTED AS SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SCHOLARS FOR 2023.
HCR 71PassedK. JohnsonThis resolution recognizes November 2023 as Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month in Delaware.RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS GLUTEN-FREE DIET AWARENESS MONTH.
HCR 69PassedK. JohnsonThis resolution requests the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services submit a report detailing the findings of the request for information on conducting a statewide needs assessment.DIRECTING THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON CONDUCTING A STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT RELATED TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE OR RELATED DEMENTIAS.
SA 1 to HB 154PassedTownsendThis Amendment makes the following changes to House Bill No. 154: 1) On lines 104 through 106, amends the definition of “Publicly available information”; 2) On line 124, deletes the reference to “national origin”; 3) After line 163, adds to the list of entities that the Bill does not apply to; 4) After line 203, adds to the list of information and data that the Bill does not apply to; and 5) On line 485, deletes the phrase “collect data directly from consumers” and substitutes “collect consumer data.” 

Legislation Passed By House of Representatives

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
SB 52SignedPinkneyThis Act directs the State’s current needle exchange program to take a needs-based approach. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STERILE NEEDLE AND SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
SB 67SignedS. McBrideThis Act updates the crime of official misconduct to ensure appropriate accountability of public servants who abuse their positions of power and public trust. The statute establishes a grade in the penalty for the official misconduct to be commensurate to the gravity of the misconduct. In addition, this statute conforms the discrimination language to the language used in the Hate Crimes statute. It also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. This Act will be known as the “Abuse of Power Prevention Act.” AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MISCONDUCT BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
HB 120 w/ SA 2SignedCookeSpeeding is a contributing factor in many serious injury motor vehicle crashes and roadway fatalities. This Act adds operating a motor vehicle at a speed of 90 miles an hour or more to the definition of reckless driving. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RULES OF THE ROAD.
SB 92SignedWalshThis bill amends the Delaware Public Employment Relations Act by expanding the jurisdictional application of the Act to employers with less than 100 employees and as few as 25 employees.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ACT.
SS 1 for SB 80SignedS. McBrideSenate Bill No. 80 codifies the current practice in Delaware of not requiring proof of citizenship or a specific immigration status on an application for a professional license. By affirmatively providing eligibility for professional licenses regardless of immigration status, Senate Bill No. 80 brings Delaware into compliance with a federal requirement in place since August 22, 1996, under 8 U.S.C.S. § 1621(d), and provides public notice of this policy. Senate Bill No. 80 also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 80 differs from Senate Bill No. 80 by also codifying the current practice of allowing an applicant for a professional license who does not have a social security number to submit instead, an attestation stating that if the applicant obtains a social security number in the future, the applicant will update their application with that social security number. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO IMMIGRATION STATUS REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL LICENSES.
SB 9 w/ SA 1 + HA 1SignedS. McBrideAlthough lead-based paint is prevalent in many Delaware residences and causes extraordinary neurological damage in children, including seizures, behavioral disorders, developmental delays, and cognitive disabilities, Delaware does not have a comprehensive system to eliminate lead-based paint from those residences where children are still exposed to lead. This Act creates such a system, including: (1) Creating a system by which all properties where a child who is found to have high blood lead levels live are promptly screened for lead-based paint and, where that paint is found, treated to abate or remediate the lead-based paint. (2) Prohibiting landlords of properties where the State has paid for lead-based paint abatement from raising rents on those properties for a period of 3 years. (3) Taking steps to ensure that neither landlords nor local governments present unreasonable delays to the abatement of lead-based paint. (4) Creating a dedicated fund for abatement and remediation of lead-based paint hazards so that all levels of state government can be held accountable for funding lead-based paint abatement efforts. (5) Expanding the duties of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee to include a plan for prompt inspection and, where necessary, abatement or remediation of lead-based paint in all pre-1978 rental properties.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LEAD-BASED PAINT.
SB 6 w/ SA 1 + HA 1, HA 2 to HA 1SignedHuxtableIn 1682 or 1683, the Sussex County Court, created by William Penn, created the land grant that is the subject of this Act (“Warner Grant”). As this Act describes, the Warner Grant consists of land in and adjacent to the City of Lewes largely consisting of what is now Cape Henlopen State Park. As the United States District Court for Delaware would later find, the Warner Grant created a “right of common” held in trust for the benefit the people of Lewes and Sussex County. See United States v. 1,010.8 Acres Situate in Sussex County, 56 F. Supp. 120 (D. Del. 1944). In the early 1970s, nearly 300 years after the Warner Grant was created, a dispute arose over the meaning of the Warner Grant and who had authority to enforce the right of common under the Warner Grant when the City of Lewes leased land in the Warner Grant to a real estate company for the purpose of constructing a housing development. Lawsuits were filed by members of the public and the Attorney General. Eventually, the 130th General Assembly settled that dispute by enacting Chapter 108 of Volume 62 of the Laws of Delaware to establish the Warner Grant Trust (“Trust”) and set the boundaries of the lands in the Trust, known as the Warner Grant Trust Lands (“Lands”). In light of recent proposals for the use of the Lands, the 152nd General Assembly finds that clarification is necessary as to the permitted uses of the Lands and as to how future disputes are to be litigated. To that end, this Act does all of the following: (1) Makes clear that the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (“Department”), as trustee of the Warner Grant Trust Lands, must administer the Lands for the public benefit and adhering to 3 governing priorities: (1) conservation, (2) nature education, and (3) public recreation. (2) Makes clear that the Department must administer the Lands so that a private benefit or financial gain to a for-profit enterprise or public-private partnership is not detrimental to the public benefit. (3) Provides that the Court of Chancery has original jurisdiction over disputes regarding the Lands. (4) Provides that the Attorney General must represent Delawareans in the enforcement of the Trust and, if the Attorney General declines to do so, any resident of Sussex County may sue to enforce the Trust and the Court of Chancery must award attorney’s fees to the plaintiffs who prevail in enforcing the Trust. (5) Includes a provision in the Delaware Code, § 4523 of Title 7, referencing the Department’s duties under this Act to preserve memory of this Act for future generations. Section 1 of this Act amends Chapter 108, Volume 62 of the Laws of Delaware, as amended by Chapter 99, Volume 72 of the Laws of Delaware, which contains 10 sections labelled Section 1 through Section 10. Section 2 of this Act amends the Delaware Code to create a new § 4523 of Title 7.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE AND CHAPTER 108, VOLUME 62 OF THE LAWS OF DELAWARE, AS AMENDED BY CHAPTER 99, VOLUME 72 OF THE LAWS OF DELAWARE, RELATING TO CLARIFYING THE WARNER GRANT TRUST AND THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY AS ARBITER OF DISPUTES REGARDING THE WARNER GRANT TRUST LAND.
SB 128SignedS. McBrideThis Act establishes the crime of obstruction of justice. Nearly every other state has a statutory crime of obstruction of justice and this Act is modeled on laws that prohibit intentional obstruction of justice and interference with governmental functions under federal law, Chapter 73 of Title 18 of the United States Code, and in Pennsylvania, under § 5101 of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code. This Act addresses actions that powerful individuals and organizations take to silence victims and witnesses and impede investigations into fraud, abuse, corruption, and white collar crime.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.
SS 1 for SB 87SignedHuxtableThis Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 87. Like Senate Bill No. 87, this Act does the following: (1) Clarifies that the exemption from the realty transfer tax for conveyances to or from an organization exempt from tax under § 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code when the purpose of the conveyance is to provide owner-occupied housing to low and moderate income households applies to rehabilitating residential properties and reselling the properties without profit and to constructing residences on properties and reselling the properties without profit. (2) Exempts any portion of a conveyance in which it is the grantee’s intent to construct affordable housing units and the conveyances are financed using funding provided by the federal government, this State, or a county or municipality of this State for the purpose of constructing affordable housing units, defined as a residential dwelling for a household whose income does not exceed 80% of the median income for the area as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. (3) Clarifies that individuals are first-time homebuyers if they intend to occupy the property being conveyed as their principal residence after the construction of a residence on the property to include circumstances where the residence cannot be built within 90 days after the property is purchased. (4) Corrects the first-time homebuyer definition related to individuals purchasing as joint tenants or cotenants to replace “none” with “neither” to conform the number of joint tenants or cotenants indicated by the indefinite pronoun to the number indicated by the use of “both” later in the sentence. (5) Makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. This Act differs from Senate Bill No. 87 by removing the exemption created by Senate Bill No. 87 for any portion of a conveyance financed through the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REALTY TRANSFER TAX.
SB 145 w/ SA 1SignedSturgeonThis Act increases the limits on the dollar amount of awards of compensatory or punitive damages, or both, in cases of employment discrimination, establishing specific caps based on the number of the respondent's employees. This Act also clarifies that the Superior Court may order equitable relief available under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as back pay and front pay, which is an award made for the period between the date of judgment and the date of reinstatement. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DAMAGES FOR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.
SS 1 for SB 7SignedHansenThis Bill amends the Delaware Energy Act, Title 29 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 80, Subchapter II, by updating and expanding upon the duties of the State Energy Office (located in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy). In Section 1 of the Bill, the General Assembly finds and declares that: (a) Planning for Delaware's energy future is vitally important to Delaware’s economy and all of its citizens; (b) Developments in the energy sector of the economy are proceeding at a fast pace, and devoting state resources to the energy sector will be beneficial; and (c) Transforming the delivery of energy to end users is expected to require new programs, planning, and workforce training. Section 1 of the Bill also declares the intent of the General Assembly to provide for the development and implementation of State energy policy and programs in accordance with the State Energy Plan, the State Climate Action Plan, and other documents developed by the Governor's Energy Advisor Council and adopted by the State Energy Office. Section 2 of the Bill commits the State Energy Office to coordinate and partner with state, local, regional, and federal agencies, energy-related boards and councils, energy utilities, and other stakeholders in carrying out its duties under Subchapter II of Chapter 80. The Bill requires the State Energy Office to develop and update, at least every five years, a comprehensive State Energy Plan and to support the State's Climate Action Plan. Among other things, the Bill also requires the State Energy Office to do the following: (a) Provide technical and administrative support to the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council; (b) Assist the State, energy utilities, and private citizens to secure federal funds made available to states and energy utilities to support emerging energy technologies, energy workforce development, and renewable energy and decarbonization programs; (c) Serve as a liaison between State and federal agencies and energy agencies in other states and regions on energy programs and policy matters; and (d) Monitor and act in a coordinating capacity to promote the planning and buildout of the statewide energy grid to optimize resources, including in coordination the Public Service Commission. The Bill expressly authorizes the State Energy Office, through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, to intervene in dockets before the Public Service Commission in proceedings arising directly from the matters enumerated Subchapter II, Chapter 80, Title 29 of the Delaware Code. This provision is being added to Title 29, Section 8053 of the Delaware Code, and is not intended to limit or restrict, in any way, the Department’s rights or ability to intervene in any other proceedings of the Public Service Commission. Rather, the provision is intended to emphasize the importance of the Department’s input in Public Service Commission proceedings that arise directly from matters falling within Subchapter II, Chapter 80 of Title 29 of the Delaware Code. This is a Substitute Bill that incorporates a number of proposed changes to Senate Bill No. 7, including those contained in Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill No. 7, and are summarized as follows: (a) On lines 6 to 10, the addition of a "Whereas clause" stating that State Energy Policy should consider the costs and benefits of energy policy options for all Delawareans, including utility ratepayers, and the health and environmental impacts on existing overburdened and underserved communities; (b) On lines 55 to 59, the addition of language the it is the intent of the General Assembly to provide for the development and implementation of State energy policy and programs in accordance with the State Energy Plan, the Climate Action Plan, and other documents adopted by the State Energy Office as recommended by the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council; (c) On lines 75 to 80, the addition of language about the State Energy Office partnering with local and regional energy agencies, the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate, and the Delaware Department of Transportation in carrying out its duties under the Delaware Energy Act; (d) On lines 82 and 83, the addition of the reference to "energy utilities" as entities that the State Energy Office will assist in securing federal funding for Delaware renewable energy and decarbonization programs; and (e) On lines 123 to 128, the addition of a provision authorizing the State Energy Office, through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, to intervene in Public Service Commission proceedings involving the Delaware Energy Act.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STATE ENERGY OFFICE.
SCR 65PassedPinkneyThis resolution recognizes July 27, 2023, as "Black Women's Equal Pay Day" in the State of Delaware and encourages all Delawareans to join in recognizing the contributions Black women have made in every aspect of life, and the sacrifices they have made to champion equality.RECOGNIZING JULY 27, 2023, AS "BLACK WOMEN’S EQUAL PAY DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SB 158SignedGayThis Act permits an individual who is a reproductive health care services provider or employee to apply for participation in Delaware's Address Confidentiality Program, which allows participants to keep their actual address confidential by applying to the Department of Justice for a substitute address to which all mail will be delivered. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY.
HB 206 w/ HA 3SignedK. JohnsonThis Act revamps the Council on Police Training, by changing the name of the Council to the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (or POST) and amending its powers and duties to: (1) more accurately reflect the dual role of establishing training standards for Delaware police officers as well as overseeing allegations of police officer misconduct and conducting hearings for possible suspensions or de-certifications; (2) untethering the Council from the Delaware State Police by deleting the requirement that the Director of the Delaware State Police Academy is responsible for education and training in connection with the Council’s duties and responsibilities; (3) removing the requirement that discipline proceedings be tied to whether the employing department takes action against the officer and increasing the instances when discipline can be issued; (4) advising the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission regarding statewide accreditation standards; (5) issuing guidelines for local police oversight commissions or boards. The Bill improves transparency by increasing required meetings from two to four per year, clarifying that decisions of disciplinary panels are public documents, requiring that departments form public accountability commissions with non-officer members, and requiring a public comment period and an official website with publication of pertinent records and documents of the POST. By amending the definition of “police officer,” the bill also requires that officers employed only part-time are subject to the regulatory oversight of the POST. The Bill proposes that the Council’s day-to-day functions be provided through professionals retained by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Finally, the Bill makes minor technical and other non-substantive changes, including deleting outdated provisions of the Code. This includes striking the provision that required body-worn camera standards to be in place by 2022 – since those regulations are now in place – and instead requiring the POST to “periodically review and propose updates as needed to regulations and standards” for body-worn cameras in cooperation with other stakeholders. Sections 2 through 16 make conforming changes to other parts of the Code that referenced the Council on Police Training.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 10, 11, 24, 29, AND 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POLICE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING COMMISSION.
SB 165 w/ SA 1, SA 2SignedPooreThis Act amends Chapter 25, Title 24 of the Delaware Code relating to the Practice of Pharmacy. The amendments authorize pharmacists to engage in “collaborative pharmacy practice” with one or more “practitioners” meaning individuals who are authorized by law to prescribe drugs in the course of professional practice. Pharmacists may also do so pursuant to a “collaborative pharmacy practice agreement,” which means a written and signed agreement between one or more pharmacists and one or more practitioners that provides for a collaborative pharmacy practice.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PHARMACY.
HS 1 for HB 191 w/ HA 1CommitteeDorsey WalkerThis substitute bill provides more clarity on the process by which a tenant may file an action in the Justice of the Peace Court to withhold rent payments in escrow. Specifically, the bill provides what the tenant must file in order to bring such action and how such actions proceed in court. This substitute bill also provides the remedy of termination of lease when the conditions of the rental unit threatens the life, health, or safety of the tenant or a member of the tenant’s household. This substitute bill also clarifies the appeal process for actions to withhold rent payments in escrow. This substitute bill also provides a tenant the right to raise as an affirmative defense to an action for summary possession filed by the landlord that a condition exists that threatens the life, health, or safety of the tenant or a member of the tenant’s household if the tenant satisfies specific requirements. If the Court determines that the tenant has satisfied those requirements, the Court may order that in lieu of summary possession, the tenant pay all base monthly rent owed to the landlord to an escrow account established by the Court. The Court may order the landlord to remedy the conditions alleged by a specific date. If both the landlord and tenant comply with the Court’s order, the amount held in escrow will be paid to the landlord within 30 days, and no judgment for possession shall be entered. Finally, this substitute bill provides that the Act will take effect 180 days after its enactment into law in order to provide the Justice of the Peace Court sufficient time to enact rules to implement the Act.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE LANDLORD TENANT CODE.
SS 2 for SB 8 w/ SA 1 + HA 1SignedMantzavinosThis Act is the second substitute for Senate Bill No. 8. Like Senate Bill No. 8 and its first substitute, this Act protects patients from unfair debt collection practices for medical debt, including prohibiting large health care facilities from charging interest and late fees, requiring facilities to offer reasonable payment plans, limiting the sale of debt to debt collectors unless an agreement is made to keep protections in place, providing minimum time before certain collections actions may be taken, limiting liability for the medical debt of others, and preventing the reporting of medical debt to consumer credit reporting agencies for at least one year after the debt was incurred. Violations of the provisions of this Act are considered Prohibited Trade Practices and Consumer Fraud violations. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill No. 8 differed from Senate Bill No. 8 as it required large health-care facilities to provide information to uninsured patients regarding eligibility and the application process for medical assistance. This information must be provided at the time of service or prior to discharge and again with each billing statement. It also created a minimum threshold for eligibility for payment plans, and it reduced the timeframe in which a bill under a payment plan may be first due. The first substitute also defined “medical assistance” and “time of service,” which were not defined in Senate Bill No. 8. This Substitute differs from Senate Substitute 1 in that it changes which medical providers are subject to this Act; it increases the threshold of outstanding debt that requires a payment plan to be offered to patients; it extends the amount of time allowed to provide the medical assistance notice; it refines the definition of medical assistance; it removes examples of companies that are currently credit reporting agencies; it removes a requirement that medical assistance information be printed in any patient’s primary language; it adds a requirement that providers make oral interpretation services available to patients for anything provided under this chapter; it clarifies that the Division of Child Support Services nor anyone filing a child support action is a medical debt collector; it clarifies that anything charged to a credit card is not medical debt; it removes the minimum time before the first payment under a payment plan is due. It also adds Section 2 making this Act effective 6 months after enactment.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL DEBT.
SB 177SignedLockmanThis Act deletes the requirement in Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Section 4304, that no more than 5 commissioners or interim commissioners of the Wilmington Housing Authority be of the same political party. AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE WILMINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY.
SCR 81PassedLockmanThis resolution recognizes August 26, 2023, as "Women's Equality Day" in Delaware.RECOGNIZING AUGUST 26, 2023, AS "WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SB 184SignedGayResearch has shown that certain underwriting factors used by insurers, while facially neutral, may have a disparate impact on protected classes. This bill seeks to address this disparate impact by prohibiting certain underwriting and rating factors, despite being correlative with loss, in homeowner’s and private passenger motor vehicle insurance policies. This bill would specifically prohibit an insurer’s consideration of an insured’s or proposed insured’s (i) non-pending arrests, charges and indictments that do not result in conviction, (ii) convictions unrelated to fraud or the risk being insured, or (iii) driver’s license suspensions or revocations for non-driving related reasons. This bill also corrects an incorrect statutory reference in current law.AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO USE OF CERTAIN FACTORS IN UNDERWRITING PRIVATE INSURANCE.
SCR 86PassedHansenThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control update the analysis and recommendations presented in the Senate Joint Resolution No. 2 Report utilizing the new information provided by the most recently promulgated federal wetlands regulations and the results of the Supreme Court case, Sackett vs. EPA, by September 30, 2023. REQUESTING THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO UPDATE THEIR 2022 REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE ON OPTIONS FOR A NONTIDAL WETLANDS PERMITTING PROGRAM.
SCR 92PassedTownsendThis Senate Concurrent Resolution reaffirms Delaware’s commitment to strengthen the longstanding partnership with Taiwan, supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the United States; commends Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy; and continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contributions in international organizations.REAFFIRMING THE LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND TAIWAN.
SCR 95PassedS. McBrideThis resolution designates the month of June 2023 as “Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month” in the State of Delaware and recommends providing those in close contact with infants and children education and informational resources on preventative measures that can be taken to protect infants and children from the virus.DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2023 AS "CYTOMEGALOVIRUS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 97PassedWilsonThis Senate Concurrent Resolution designates October 12, 2023, at "National Farmer's Day" in the State of Delaware.DESIGNATING OCTOBER 12, 2023, AS "NATIONAL FARMER'S DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 96PassedS. McBrideThis resolution affirms the importance of the recognition of LGBTQIA+ people and their many achievements and designates June 28. 2023 as "Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day" in the State of Delaware. It also encourages expanded efforts to keep Delaware residents properly informed about the need for acceptance, and equitable treatment, of LGBTQIA+ individuals. DESIGNATING JUNE 28, 2023, AS “STONEWALL UPRISING REMEMBRANCE DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SCR 98PassedTownsendThis resolution recognizes that the compassionate release of incarcerated people—such as elderly individuals experiencing infirmities, in addition to individuals in terminal or severe medical circumstances—can promote individual and community-wide justice while preserving public safety and realizing fiscal efficiencies. The resolution acknowledges the merit of immediately considering early release of all statutorily eligible incarcerated persons and commutation for individuals who would be eligible if Delaware were to have a stronger model of compassionate release, encourages all stakeholders involved in such consideration to assist, and pledges that the General Assembly will explore and consider potential modifications to Delaware’s early-release framework.RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPASSIONATE RELEASE AND MAKING A COMMITMENT TO CONSIDER MODIFICATIONS TO DELAWARE'S EARLY RELEASE FRAMEWORK FOR INCARCERATED PEOPLE.
HA 1 to HS 1 for HB 191PassedDorsey WalkerThis amendment requires that a hearing on a tenant’s complaint for an action to withhold rent payments in escrow be scheduled within 60 days. This amendment also changes the effective date to July 1, 2024. This amendment also requires the Justice of the Peace Court to provide a report of the number of cases and in what County such cases were filed to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than July 1, 2025. 
SCR 99PassedGayThis Concurrent Resolution creates the Victims' Bill of Rights Committee to study and make findings and recommendations regarding the Victims' Bill of Rights. CREATING THE "VICTIMS' BILL OF RIGHTS COMMITTEE."
HA 1 to SB 9PassedLambertThis Amendment requires the Department of Finance to investigate funding sources for the Delaware State Lead-Based Paint Program and provide a report of the findings of the investigation by January 1, 2024, to the Governor, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee, and Director and Librarian of the Division of Research of Legislative Council. 
HA 1 to SB 6PassedSchwartzkopfThis amendment strikes Senate Amendment 1 and re-incorporates most of its provisions into this amendment by: (1) Making clear that a use of or activity on the Warner Grant Trust Lands does not need to meet all 3 of the governing priorities to be a permitted use or activity; (2) Making clear that fishing, including drive-on surf fishing, and birding are permitted recreational activities on the Warner Grant Trust Lands; (3) Clarifying that a use or activity in existence on January 1, 2023, including a concession stand and the rental of facilities by organizations is a permitted use or activity under the Warner Grant Trust. Finally, this amendment provides for the retention of a private right of action for the original beneficiaries of the Trust, but requires consultation with the Attorney General and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control before any action may be taken. 
HA 1 to HB 243PassedMinor-BrownThis amendment provides that the Act will sunset 5 years from its enactment. 
HA 1 to SS 2 for SB 8PassedK. WilliamsThis Amendment make a technical correction. 
HA 3 to HB 206PassedK. JohnsonThis amendment makes technical corrections and provides that no member of the Commission appointed by the Governor, except for the chairperson, may be a current or former member of law-enforcement or affiliated with law-enforcement. It also requires that the public members appointed by the Governor be made based upon non-binding recommendations from the NAACP, Delaware Center for Justice, and any other interested non-profit organization that wishes to submit names. This amendment is identical to House Amendment No. 2 except that it clarifies that the chairperson serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is required to have substantial experience in the field of law enforcement. This is the current requirement for the chairperson, but it was in tension with other amendment language. 
HA 2 to HA 1 to SB 6PassedSchwartzkopfThis amendment makes technical corrections. This amendment also removes the reference to the Attorney General’s duty to enforce the Warner Grant Trust as such reference is unnecessary given the Court of Chancery’s ruling in In re Certain Lands, 1976 Del. Ch. LEXIS 148 (Del. Ch. May 27, 1976) that it is the Attorney General’s duty to enforce a charitable trust like the Warner Grant Trust.  

Senate Committee Assignments

Committee
Education
Health & Social Services
Housing & Land Use

House Committee Assignments

Committee
Administration

Senate Committee Report

Committee
Executive
Finance

House Committee Report

Committee
Administration
Education

Senate Defeated Legislation

No Senate Defeated Legislation

House Defeated Legislation

BillCurrent StatusSponsorSynopsisTitle
HS 1 for HB 121CommitteeD. ShortThis bill would allow the City of Seaford to authorize artificial entities, limited liability corporations' partnerships, and trusts to vote in Municipal elections held in Seaford following the principle of "one person/entity/one vote".AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF SEAFORD RELATING TO THE CITY'S ABILITY TO AUTHORIZE ARTIFICIAL ENTITIES, LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATIONS' PARTNERSHIPS AND TRUSTS TO VOTE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS HELD IN SEAFORD.
HB 232DefeatedParker SelbyThis Act amends the Charter of the City of Lewes as follows. This Act modifies City contract requirements by 1) raising the aggregate contract value threshold for which competitive bidding shall not be required to $50,000 rather than the previous threshold of $25,000; 2) adding an exception to the competitive bidding requirement for certain existing contracts, which were previously competitively bid at the State or County level; and 3) adding an exception to the competitive bidding requirement for contracts made pursuant to a cooperative or joint purchasing agreement. This Act also modifies the City’s power and authority to borrow money and issue bonds or certificates of indebtedness by 1) clarifying the City’s authority to borrow money and issue bonds or certificates of indebtedness to provide funds for purchase real estate. This Act also modifies the assessment of taxes by 1) permitting the City to appoint a qualified firm to serve as the City Assessor or utilize County property assessments in lieu of appointing a City Assessor; and 2) modifies the appellate process for the assessment of taxes in certain situations. This Act also places a cap on the City’s power to collect taxes for any and all municipal purposes upon certain real property at one half of one percent (0.5%) of the full assessed value of land and improvements within the City, or $5,000,000, whichever is greater, rather than the previous cap of $3,500,000. The Act also modifies the refund of taxes and penalties for delinquent taxes. This Act also modifies the notice requirements and procedures relating to the City’s power to cause to be paved or repaved the sidewalks of said city or any part or portion thereof, to cause to be repaired or re-laid existing curbs or gutters.AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF LEWES.
SB 160SignedWalshThis Bill is the Fiscal Year 2024 Bond and Capital Improvements Act.A BOND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND CERTAIN OF ITS AUTHORITIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS OF THE DELAWARE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY; APPROPRIATING SPECIAL FUNDS OF THE DELAWARE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY; APPROPRIATING GENERAL FUNDS OF THE STATE; REPROGRAMMING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE STATE; SPECIFYING CERTAIN PROCEDURES, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AND AMENDING CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS.

Nominations Enacted upon by the Senate

No Records