Delaware Bills

passed both · Delaware · Senate May 16, 2024

SCR 161: DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MAY 13-17, 2024, AS "CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates the week of May 13-17, 2024, as "Charter Schools Week" in the State of Delaware and commends Delaware's public charter schools for their efforts in educating Delaware students.

Dave Wilson (R) Frank Cooke (D) Tim Dukes (R) Pete Schwartzkopf (D) Sherry Dorsey Walker (D)

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 15, 2024

SB 294: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SALARY SCHEDULES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PERSONNEL.

This Act removes assigned salary schedules established for child care licensing specialists and child care licensing supervisors, who are employed through the Department of Education. By removing this language, the Department of Education will be able to provide equitable compensation to early childhood personnel within the Office of Child Care Licensing. Attracting and retaining employees is critical to ensure the State’s child care licensing system is sufficiently staffed. Currently, the statute prevents child care licensing specialists and child care licensing supervisors from equitable pay within the Department of Education, leading to high rates of turnover and inter-Department transfer. A lack of staffing limits the ability of the State to investigate complaints being made against child care centers.

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 15, 2024

SB 44: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS.

This Act establishes the Office of New Americans to help improve the lives and economic prosperity of new Americans who come to Delaware and of all Delawareans generally.

passed both · Delaware · House May 15, 2024

HCR 132: RECOGNIZING MAY 18, 2024, AS "ARMED FORCES DAY".

This bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates May 18, 2024, as Armed Forces Day in Delaware. It does not create new laws, change policies, or affect any specific groups of people beyond honoring military service members. The measure simply acknowledges the date to recognize the contributions of past and present armed forces personnel.

passed both · Delaware · House May 15, 2024

HCR 133: DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MAY 12 TO MAY 18 AS "NATIONAL SKILLED NURSING CARE WEEK" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This bill designates the week of May 12 to May 18, 2024, as National Skilled Nursing Care Week in Delaware. The resolution formally recognizes the contributions of staff at skilled nursing facilities and encourages community members to participate in related events. It highlights the importance of these care centers for the state's aging population but does not change any laws or policies.

passed both · Delaware · House May 15, 2024

HCR 126: RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MAY 2024 AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.

This bill designates May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Delaware to highlight the importance of mental well-being across all age groups. It calls on citizens and government agencies to increase awareness and support for mental health resources, citing statistics on the prevalence of mental illness and the impact of the pandemic. The resolution also references recent legislative efforts to fund mental health counselors in schools, emphasizing the need for early identification and treatment of mental health conditions.

passed both · Delaware · House May 15, 2024

HCR 131: RECOGNIZING MAY 15, 2024, AS YOUTH PREVENTION DAY IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This bill designates May 15, 2024, as Youth Prevention Day in Delaware to raise awareness about substance misuse and mental health issues among young people. The resolution encourages state agencies and community organizations to share evidence-based prevention resources and engage youth in age-appropriate support programs. It is based on statistics highlighting the prevalence of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use among adolescents and recent discussions involving local students and policymakers.

passed both · Delaware · House May 14, 2024

HCR 100: RECOGNIZING MAY 10TH AS “MAJOR GEORGE S. WELCH DAY”.

This bill designates May 10th as "Major George S. Welch Day" to honor the Delaware-born World War II pilot. It recognizes his historical significance as one of the few pilots to take off during the Pearl Harbor attack and his subsequent heroism. The resolution serves as a formal state acknowledgment of his service and legacy rather than implementing new laws or regulations.

passed · Delaware · House May 14, 2024

HB 351: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF MOTOR VEHICLES FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PROPERTY BY PRIVATE TOW COMPANIES.

This Act creates a new chapter in Title 21 pertaining to the towing of vehicles without the consent of the owner or operator. It makes violations of the chapter an unlawful practice enforceable by the Consumer Protection Unit of the Department of Justice. The Act creates the following requirements for the towing and storage of vehicles without the consent of the owner or operator: Photographic evidence must be taken to document the unauthorized parking of a vehicle before it can be towed. Tow companies and storage facilities must publicly display their rates. Towing and storage rates must be reasonable, with reasonableness calculated in relation to the fees imposed by the companies for consensual towing and storage or based on average rates in the county. A maximum total towing and storage rate of $500 is imposed. Tow companies must decouple or drop vehicles that have not been removed from parking areas if the owner returns before removal. The drop fee may not be more than 50% of the tow fee. Storage facilities must be open or accessible to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week, and tow companies must make reasonable accommodations to redeem vehicles after-hours. Individuals must be allowed to retrieve at no cost personal belongings from vehicles held in storage. Tow companies and storage facilities must accept credit cards. Where a tow is completed in violation of the chapter, the owner or operator is entitled to both reimbursement of the tow and storage fees as well as damages incurred to retrieve an illegally towed vehicle. Tow companies are liable for property damage sustained due to a non-consensual tow or storage. Tow companies may not patrol for illegally parked cars. Tow companies may not pay or give other benefits to obtain information about cars parked without authorization.

in committee · Delaware · Senate May 14, 2024

SB 303: AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 1 OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO HUNTING, FISHING, AND TRAPPING.

This Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to establish the right to hunt and fish in Delaware. Twenty-one other states have preserved the rights of their citizens to hunt, fish, or trap wildlife. This Act is modeled after the constitutional provisions of Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee. This Act specifically acknowledges Delaware’s valued, natural heritage of hunting, fishing, and trapping, and declares hunting, fishing, and trapping as the preferred methods of managing and controlling wildlife in this State. This Act may not be applied to do any of the following: 1. Affect rights to divert, appropriate, or use water, or to establish a minimum amount of water in any water body. 2. Lead to a diminution or abrogation of a public or private right or of the State’s power to regulate commercial activities. 3. Prevent the suspension or revocation, under a law enacted by the General Assembly, of an individual’s hunting, fishing, or trapping license. 4. Alter a burden of proof requirement otherwise established by law for a challenge to a law or regulation pertaining to hunting, fishing, or trapping the wildlife of this State.

in committee · Delaware · House May 14, 2024

HB 395: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HOSPITAL COSTS.

This Act replaces a temporary hospital cost containment provision from the implementing legislation for the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board that was based on Medicare reference pricing with a provision that limits growth based on a formula already in use for some health care services.

passed both · Delaware · Senate May 14, 2024

SCR 164: DESIGNATING MAY 16, 2024, AS “GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY AWARENESS DAY” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

This resolution designates May 16, 2024, as "Global Accessibility Awareness Day" in the State of Delaware, affirms the importance of making the internet and technology accessible to all, and encourages expanded efforts to keep Delaware residents properly informed about the need for equitable digital access and inclusion.

Bill results