Delaware Bills

signed · Delaware · Senate Sep 17, 2021

SB 142: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STATE PROCUREMENT.

This bill removes the exclusion of Community Transportation Funds from the performance-based rating system.

Nicole Poore (D) Sean Matthews (D) · 5 co-sponsors

signed · Delaware · House Sep 17, 2021

HB 31: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE BY REPEALING PROVISIONS RELATING TO ABORTION.

This bill repeals certain provisions in Title 11 relating to abortion including provisions which treat abortion differently than other medical procedures, and provisions which criminalize women and the sale of medical devices and medicines.

signed · Delaware · Senate Sep 17, 2021

SB 129: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COUNCIL ON CORRECTION.

This Act a result of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee’s (“JLOSC”) review of the Council on Correction (“Council”), and revamps Council’s governing statute based on discussions throughout the review. In addition to making several technical changes to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual, this Act also does the following: - Provides administrative support through the Criminal Justice Council as a pilot partnership program with a 5-year sunset provision. This partnership is intended to provide Council with needed staff support and training opportunities, both which the Criminal Justice Council is able to provide. - Clarifies Council’s advisory role. - Adds provisions regarding quorum and member removal. - Requires the Council to hold public meetings in all 3 counties. - Enables the Council to adopt bylaws or other procedural rules. - Requires the Council to submit an annual report.

signed · Delaware · House Sep 17, 2021

HB 138: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF MILLVILLE.

This bill reincorporates the Charter of the Town of Millville. The bill updates various processes, including the municipal election, annexation, competitive bidding, and the Town budget. The bill also updates the descriptions and duties of the Secretary and Treasurer. The bill removed antiquated language and clarified language in matters such as assessments and repairs.

signed · Delaware · House Sep 17, 2021

HB 233: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PROFESSION OF PSYCHOLOGY.

This Act updates the Delaware Code relating to the Delaware Board of Examiners of Psychologists by amending the qualifications for licensure for reciprocity applicants. Currently reciprocity applicants, even those who have practiced many years in another state without blemish, are required to possess the same type of psychology doctoral degree as a new graduate. This bill would grant the Board greater flexibility when evaluating reciprocity applicants by allowing the Board to use an applicant’s years of experience and training while licensed in another jurisdiction to compensate for any deficiencies in their education. If passed, the bill would align Delaware more closely with surrounding jurisdictions.

signed · Delaware · House Sep 17, 2021

HB 56: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ARREST FOR VIOLATION - LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS CONTAINER.

This amendment repeals Title 16 § 7204 in its entirety. This particular section prescribes a practice that is typically unused and handled through a traditional warrant process by charging a previous section of this chapter brought by a law enforcement officer. Additionally, the act of recovering a container possessed by someone other than the owner is more appropriately handled through the civil replevin process.

signed · Delaware · House Sep 17, 2021

HB 103: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 6 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO AUTO REPAIR FRAUD PREVENTION, AND PROHIBITED TRADE PRACTICES.

This bill clarifies definitions relating to airbags, counterfeit supplemental restraint system components, nonfunctional airbags, and supplemental restraint systems, and prohibited trade practices.

signed · Delaware · House Sep 17, 2021

HB 241: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 4, 10 AND 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNDERAGE POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA AND ALCOHOL.

This Act permits an officer to refer a juvenile who is in possession of alcohol or marijuana to the Juvenile Civil Citation Program rather than issue an assessment for a monetary civil penalty. Pursuant to the Juvenile Civil Citation Program, a juvenile may be referred to counseling, treatment, or other appropriate interventions. The bill also removes a provision requiring monetary marijuana penalties to double if unpaid within 90 days.

signed · Delaware · Senate Sep 17, 2021

SB 21: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING.

This Act amends the Delaware Energy Act to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in the State by creating more accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Specifically, this Act permits State agencies to charge a fee for public or employee use of electric vehicle supply equipment installed by the agency so long as the fees do not exceed the agency’s costs. “Costs” means the costs associated with electricity used by the agency’s electric vehicle supply equipment, installation of the agency’s electric vehicle supply equipment, and maintenance of the infrastructure and equipment of the agency’s electric vehicle supply equipment. This Act limits the locations where the charging infrastructure may be placed by the State to state-owned or state-leased properties used by state employees or visitors.

signed · Delaware · House Sep 17, 2021

HB 224: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 6, 11, 18, 19, AND 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DEFINITIONS.

This bill makes the definitions of sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability consistent throughout the Delaware Code and with federal law.

signed · Delaware · Senate Sep 17, 2021

SB 175: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REPORTING AND VALUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INSURERS.

Section 1 of this bill adds additional financial reporting requirements for authorized insurers, which codifies current practices in accordance with the NAIC’s accounting practices and procedures manual and which was recommended by the NAIC as part of its most recent and ongoing accreditation review of the Department. Section 2 of this bill repeals Section 526A because the Department has determined that the circumstances that originally resulted in the enactment of Section 526A are no longer present in today’s market and, therefore, the additional reporting requirement is not necessary. Sections 3 and 4 of this bill make technical corrections recommended by the NAIC.

signed · Delaware · House Sep 17, 2021

HB 142: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.

This Act promotes the expansion of licensure opportunities in Delaware while maintaining standards of competence and professionalism required for the protection of the citizens of Delaware. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing professional licensure for engineers. It develops, administers, and scores the examinations used for engineering licensure in the United States. Most recently, NCEES has recommended that states broaden access to licensure subject to rigorous competency requirements. For example, Delaware has historically recognized EAC of ABET-accredited (Engineering Accreditation Commission of the former Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) programs as the gold standard for engineering education. NCEES has recommended that graduates of engineering programs accredited by signatories of the Washington Accord be afforded the same recognition as EAC of ABET graduates. The Washington Accord is an international agreement between bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programs. Signatories of the Accord mutually “recognize the substantial equivalency of participating organizations’ accreditation processes and their graduates’ preparedness to begin professional practice at the entry level.” ABET and Engineers Canada are signatories of the Accord among a total of 20 representing agencies from every continent. This Act will give holders of degrees from engineering programs accredited by Washington Accord signatories the same recognition as EAC of ABET graduates. The required engineering experience for such applicants will be four years. This Act also proposes modifications that would expand licensure comity. While many professions in Delaware use the term “reciprocity” to define the process whereby an individual licensed in one jurisdiction may become licensed in Delaware, the term “comity” is used in the licensing law for professional engineers. To promote international engineering licensure mobility, this Act provides that the Council may license an applicant who is an International Professional Engineer (IntPE), meaning that the applicant has been fully and rigorously evaluated and approved by the International Engineering Alliance (IEA). NCEES is a member of the IEA and the International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA). There are currently 15 other members of the IPEA including Engineers Canada. “The International Professional Engineers Agreement recognizes the substantial equivalency of standards establishing the competency of professional engineers for independent practice.” Engineers who are licensed by agencies that are members of IPEA undergo a rigorous application process for registration as IntPEs. NCEES is an IPEA member and maintains a registry of U.S. licensed engineers who have attained IntPE status. Engineers registered as IntPEs would be provided with the same eligibility for comity within the U.S. as would U.S. state-licensed engineers. This applicant will also need to present proof of five years of experience obtained after initial licensure. This Act further proposes that an applicant who has been designated as a Model Law Engineer by NCEES may be issued a license administratively on the basis that the applicant has already been vetted by the profession’s governing body. Other provisions pertaining to comity have been amended to make the Practice Act consistent with other statutes governing professional licensure. Specifically, the comity provision pertaining to licensure by experience has been revised to require five years of licensed experience rather than the current ten years. The standards for licensure by comity have been amended to ensure that the applicant has a current license in good standing from the originating jurisdiction. This Act clarifies the grounds for denial of an application to explicitly include discipline in another jurisdiction. This Act eliminates the requirement that licensees must acquire an embossing seal and allows them to choose a seal format, such as embossing, stamp or electronic. Finally, this Act strikes references to permits on the basis that compliance with temporary permit requirements is difficult for the Council to monitor. Further, as an alternative to the temporary permit, an expedited path to licensure will be available for applicants with the Model Law Engineer designation.

Bill results