Delaware Bills

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 28, 2019

SCR 31: RECOGNIZING MARCH 28, 2019 AS CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS DAY.

This resolution recognizes March 28, 2019 as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 28, 2019

SCR 14: COMMEMORATING THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY SCOTTISH-AMERICANS TO THE UNITED STATES BY PROCLAIMING APRIL 6, 2019 AS NATIONAL TARTAN DAY.

This resolution designates April 6, 2019 as "National Tartan Day" and commemorates the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish-Americans to the United States. When the United States was first formed and the thirteen states selected their first governors, nine were of Scottish ancestry. All the members of the first American cabinet had Scottish ancestry. Delaware's first governor, John McKinly, was born in Northern Ireland of Scottish descent. Americans of Scottish descent have played a vibrant and influential role in the development of this country. However, not until 1997 was this influence recognized by a single-year U.S. Senate Resolution that appeared in the Congressional Record of April 7, 1997. In 1998 National Tartan Day was officially recognized on a permanent basis when the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 155 recognizing April 6th as National Tartan Day. This was followed by companion bill House Resolution 41, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 9, 2005. President George W. Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation on April 4, 2008 making April 6 National Tartan Day. In April of 2008, then Governor Minner issued a statement celebrating the accomplishments of Scots-Irish Americans in the First State as part of a Scots/Scots-Irish Heritage Month. April 6 commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which asserted Scotland's sovereignty over English territorial claims, and which was a significant influence on the American Declaration of Independence. Canada has been celebrating "National Tartan Day" since 1993. The idea and motivation for creating a similar American holiday was provided by the Scottish Coalition, a group of national Scottish-American cultural organizations.

passed both · Delaware · House Mar 28, 2019

HCR 21: RECOGNIZING THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT.

This resolution celebrates Delaware's observance of the centennial of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing for women’s suffrage. It further calls on the Delaware Heritage Commission to organize meaningful events and exhibits to honor the 100th anniversary and establish a subcommittee to plan a parade commemorating the occasion.

passed both · Delaware · Senate Mar 28, 2019

SCR 19: RECOGNIZING MARCH 29, 2019 AS "NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY” IN DELAWARE.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 29, 2019 as "National Vietnam War Veterans Day" in Delaware.

signed · Delaware · Senate Mar 28, 2019

SB 22: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING THE AGREEMENT AMONG THE STATES TO ELECT THE PRESIDENT BY NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE.

Act enacts the National Popular Vote compact, which changes the Electoral College from an institution that reflects the voters’ state-by-state choices into a body that reflects the voters’ nationwide choice. Currently, state statutes require that electoral votes are controlled by the plurality of the voters in the state but this system is not required by the U.S. Constitution or federal law. The National Popular Vote compact requires that each member state award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who received the largest number of popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The National Popular Vote compact becomes effective when it is enacted by states collectively possessing a majority of the electoral votes. When the National Popular Vote compact takes effect, the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia would be guaranteed enough electoral votes in the Electoral College to be elected to the Presidency. Specifically, this Act does the following: Section 1. Adopts The Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote ("National Popular Vote compact") and provides for notice regarding when the National Popular Vote compact is in effect and governs a presidential election. Section 2. Revises the wording of § 4303(b) so that it correctly addresses how electors must vote in any presidential election. This is not a substantive change to current law, which governs when the National Popular Vote compact is not applicable to an election, because the electors nominated by the political party that received the plurality of vote of the voters of this State are the electors who are appointed. Section 3. Corrects a typographical error in § 5711. Section 4. Revises § 5711 to govern when the National Popular Vote compact governs a presidential election. Both versions of § 5711 will appear in the Delaware Code with a note at the top of each version stating if that version governs the next presidential election. Section 5. Revises § 7704 of Title 15 regarding the election of delegates to a state constitutional convention to ratify proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution so that it remains unchanged by the National Popular Vote compact. The statute currently provides that delegates are elected "in the same manner as in the case of the election for electors for President and Vice President." Because the National Popular Vote compact changes how electors are selected, § 7704 is revised so that delegates to a national constitutional convention are nominated and elected in the current manner, regardless of whether the National Popular Vote compact governs the next presidential election. Section 6. Clarifies the effective date of this Act and when Section 1 of this Act governs a presidential election.

in committee · Delaware · House Mar 28, 2019

HB 99: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STATE EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN.

This bill provides that for correction officers and specified peace officers, the amount of ordinary service or disability pension benefits given to state employees shall also include the following: (1) Before July 1, 2019, 2.45% of his or her final average compensation multiplied by years of service above 25 years; (2) After July 1, 2019, 2.5% of his or her final average compensation multiplied by the number of years of service for up to 20 years, plus 3.5% of his or her final average compensation multiplied by the number of years of service above 20 years. The increased multipliers that take effect after July 1, 2019 reflect increased costs, reduced benefits, and the need to recruit and retain qualified and competent correction officers and specified peace officers with a modernized pension benefit. In addition, this bill amends the employee contribution for all correction officers and specified peace officers to a uniform 7%. Specified peace officers means (1) Probation and parole officers employed by the Department of Correction; (2) Capitol Police officers; (3) Department of Natural Resources police officers; (4) University of Delaware Police; (5) State Fire Marshal officers; (6) Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement agents; (7) Justice of the Peace Court constables; and (8) Probation and parole officers in the Serious Juvenile Offender Unit and senior probation officers employed by the Division of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families.

in committee · Delaware · House Mar 28, 2019

HB 100: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This Act establishes a mental health services unit for Delaware elementary schools. The unit is at a ratio of 250 full-time equivalent students grades K-5 for a full-time school counselor, school social worker, or licensed clinical social worker. Additionally a unit ratio of 700 full time equivalent students for grades K-5 for employment of a full-time school psychologist. This Act defines “mental health services” as prevention, response, and coordination services delivered to students in elementary schools. Mental Health disorders are the most common health problem for school aged youth. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five youth are affected by a mental health disorder. Additionally, 50% of lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. Untreated mental illness leads to negative outcomes including increased risk of dropout, homelessness, substance abuse, other chronic illnesses, incarceration, and possibly suicide. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, ninety percent of people who have taken their own life have had an underlying mental health condition, and suicides are on the rise. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicides are now the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14. Delaware schools need trained and experienced mental health professionals to provide prevention and support programs and services to students. Currently, as reported by Delaware school districts, 86% of elementary schools do not employ a school social worker, and ratios of students to school counselors and school psychologists far exceed national best practices. This bill will lower ratios and increase access to mental health services for elementary school students.

in committee · Delaware · House Mar 28, 2019

HB 101: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EDUCATION.

This Act requires high needs elementary schools, including high needs elementary charter schools, to have school-based health centers. The State will pay the start-up costs for each school-based health center at 2 centers per year until each high needs elementary school has a center. High needs elementary schools are defined as any elementary school in the top quartile of 3 or more in percentage of low-income students, percentage of English learners, percentage of students with disabilities, percentage of minority students, or having 90% of its students classified as low-income, English learners, or minority. This act also allows high needs elementary schools having pre-existing school-based health centers to apply for reimbursement of previously expended funds necessary to establish said health center.

in committee · Delaware · House Mar 28, 2019

HB 18: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DIRECTING THE PROCEEDS FROM CHARITABLE VIDEO LOTTERY MACHINES TO AND CHANGING THE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE DELAWARE VETERANS TRUST FUND.

This Act makes all veterans with a minimum discharge of general discharge under honorable conditions eligible for assistance from the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund, effective January 1, 2020. This Act also directs 3% of the proceeds returned to the State from the proceeds of charitable video lottery machines operated by veteran’s organizations to the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund, effective July 1, 2019, so that there are sufficient funds to assist the expanded number of individuals who will be eligible for assistance. This Act also makes technical corrections to improve clarity of existing law and to conform it to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

signed · Delaware · House Mar 28, 2019

HJR 2: RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HATTIE BERNICE DABNEY MISHOE, THE "FIRST LADY" OF DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY.

This Joint Resolution recognizes the many contributions of Hattie Bernice Dabney Mishoe, the "First Lady" of Delaware State University, and encourages the University to name a building on campus after her.

Sean Lynn (D) · 27 co-sponsors

passed both · Delaware · House Mar 27, 2019

HCR 20: RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DELAWARE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION.

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Delaware Contractors Association.

passed both · Delaware · House Mar 27, 2019

HCR 17: RECOGNIZING THE DELAWARE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION FOR COMMITMENT TOWARDS A GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND EFFORTS ON A STRAW BAN POLICY.

This resolution recognizes the Delaware Restaurant Association for efforts towards better environmental practices in restaurants through the use of fewer plastic straws. The resolution also requires that the Delaware Restaurant Association track the progress of its voluntary approach to reduce the use of plastic straws and provide a report to the General Assembly by May 1, 2020.

Bill results