CHAPTER 303
FORMERLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 290
AS AMENDED BY
HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROCEEDINGS IN THE INTEREST OF A CHILD AND ADJUDICATIONS OF DELINQUENCY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend §1009(c), Title 10 of the Delaware code by making insertions as shown by underlining and deletions as shown by strikethrough as follows:
(c) Following an adjudication in which the Court declares that a child is delinquent, it may:
(1) Defer proceedings pending further investigation, medical or other examinations, or where the interests of the child will thereby be served, and release the child upon the child's own recognizance or upon the recognizance of a custodian or near relative, or upon bond with surety, to appear whenever and wherever notified to do so, or where the required bond is not provided, detain the child in a facility of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families;
(2) Allow a child to remain in the child's own home with or without Court supervision;
(3) Place a child on probation;
(4) Fine a child;
(5) Order a child to make monetary restitution in whole or in part as the Court determines for out-of-pocket costs, losses or damages caused by the delinquent act of the child where the amount thereof can be ascertained;
(6) Award a judgment in favor of any municipal corporation, county, town, school district or agency of the State, or any person, partnership, corporation or association, or any religious organization whether incorporated or not, and against the parents or guardians of the delinquent child for the same or greater amount ordered against the delinquent child but not to exceed $5,000, provided that the Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence presented that:
a. The parents or guardians knew of the child's delinquent nature; and
b. The parents or guardians failed to take reasonable measures to control the child;
(7) Require that any restitution ordered against the delinquent child precede the liability of the parents or guardians for the monetary damages caused by the child's delinquent act;
(8) Require, in the absence of objections by the victim of the delinquent act of the child, that any restitution ordered against the delinquent child may be discharged in an appropriate community service arrangement with the understanding that failure to complete the community service work in good faith shall result in the reversion of this obligation to the monetary basis originally ordered by the Court;
(9) Award custody of a child to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families;
(10) Commit a child with a mental condition or child with an intellectual disability for observation or treatment to any appropriate institution within the State, or to any institution without the State provided satisfactory arrangements can be made;
(11) Grant the care or custody of a child to any private institution within or without the State that cares for children, provided satisfactory arrangements can be made;
(12) Order the Motor Vehicle Division of the Department of Transportation to:
a. Revoke or suspend the driving privileges or operator's license possessed by the child;
b. Postpone the child's eligibility to obtain driving privileges or an operator's license if the child does not possess such privilege or license; or
c. Enter immediately all traffic, alcohol and/or drug adjudications of any minor on a driving record created by the Division of Motor Vehicles notwithstanding the minor's driver's license status, age and/or eligibility for a driver's license in any case for a period not less than 3 months nor more than 4 years;
(13) Grant custody of a person who is charged with an act of delinquency prior to reaching the age of 18 years but becomes 18 years of age prior to disposition of the charge, to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families;
(14) Order the child to be placed under house arrest under the same requirements set forth in § 4332 and subchapter IX of Chapter 43 of Title 11;
(15) Order such other treatment, rehabilitation or care as in the opinion of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families would best serve the needs of the child and society.
(16) Following an adjudication in which the Court declares that a child is delinquent and sentences the child to participate in the Family Court Adjudicated Drug Court Program, the Court may impose such conditions upon the parent, guardian or custodian of the person adjudicated as the Court deems necessary to assist the person adjudicated in receiving all the treatment, rehabilitation or care ordered by the Court as best serving the needs of the child and society under this section or, in the opinion of the Court, as will enhance the ability of such parent, guardian or custodian in providing the child with adequate support, guidance and supervision necessary to meet the child's physical, mental or emotional health and well-being, provided that such parent, guardian or custodian has been previously served by summons in accordance with § 1006 of this title;
(17) When the Court sentences a child to participate in counseling, mental health treatment or to a Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services consultation or assessment as required, the Court shall be authorized, in addition to any other disposition authorized by this section, to order such child's parents, guardian or custodian to participate in counseling as determined by the Court or as recommended by the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services. Such counseling shall be designed to assist in deterring future delinquent or unruly actions or other conduct or conditions which would be harmful to the child or society. If the child is court-ordered into a detention facility or residential treatment facility, the Court may order the parents, guardian or custodian to participate in any treatment or counseling program recommended by the facility;
(18) Order any and all registrations or relief therefrom as required under § 4123 of Title 11 where the juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent of an offense that would otherwise render the juvenile a sex offender under § 4121(a)(4) of Title 11.;
(19) Notwithstanding any provision of law or Court rule to the contrary, and except for any assessment imposed pursuant to Chapter 90 of Title 11, waive or suspend payment of any fine, cost or penalty assessment, including those otherwise deemed mandatory or not subject to waiver or suspension, as part of the sentence imposed on a delinquent child.
Approved July 15, 2014