Delaware Bills

signed · Delaware · House Jun 27, 2023

HB 95: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COMPANION ANIMALS IN THE DISPOSITION OF MARITAL PROPERTY.

This Act requires Family Court to award possession and provide for the care of companion animals when dividing marital property after considering the well-being of the companion animal. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Dave Wilson (R) Krista Griffith (D) Pete Schwartzkopf (D) Dave Sokola (D) Bryant Richardson (R)

signed · Delaware · Senate Jun 27, 2023

SB 90: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE FIRST STATE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUND.

This bill modernizes the First State Quality Improvement Fund (FSQIF) Act, using language from the field of continuous improvement and operational excellence to align with current industry accepted practices. This bill provides improved accountability for the management of FSQIF training programs with the inclusion of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) program team in partnership with the Department of Human Resources in establishing and maintaining rules and regulations for the use of the fund. This bill also establishes a data driven mechanism to allow the Joint Finance Committee to measure the return on investment of the fund on an annual basis.

signed · Delaware · House Jun 27, 2023

HB 63: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF PENSIONERS.

This bill allows pensioners to earn $50,000 (instead of $40,000) before incurring a $1.00 deduction to their state pension for every $2.00 earned over that amount.

signed · Delaware · House Jun 22, 2023

HB 33: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FUNDING FOR PREKINDERGARTEN SPECIAL EDUCATION.

This Act increases funding for preschool children with disabilities who are not counted in either "intensive" or "complex" special education units by revising the current ratio of 12.8 students per unit to 8.4 students per unit for preschool children included in the basic unit count. This is the same ratio in effect as of July 1, 2023, for K-3 basic special education. The Act also consolidates the K-3 Basic Special Education Unit with the 4-12 Basic Special Education Unit as the ratio is the same for each group as of July 1, 2023. This substitute bill is different from original HB33 in that it omits the “Preschool 2 Basic Special Education Unit.” The preschool funding change is effective July 1, 2023.

signed · Delaware · House Jun 20, 2023

HB 104: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LAND USE PLANNING.

The state’s pre-application process for land use process, known as PLUS, was created 20 years ago and has served to increase coordination among state and local agencies. In doing so, it has fulfilled its intent of providing predictability and consistency for the development community, especially in the area of major projects. Given that success, this bill assists in expediting the process for economic development projects in the State of Delaware with some exemptions from the PLUS process. A project located in Investment Level 1 or 2 under the Strategies for State Policies and Spending that is consistent with local zoning and any local comprehensive plan that will create full-time jobs is exempt from the pre-application process unless required by the local government or requested by the applicant.

signed · Delaware · House Jun 20, 2023

HB 102: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 17 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ENTRANCE PERMITS.

This Act expedites the issuance of a temporary entrance permit for commercial and economic development projects. The Act also makes technical changes to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

signed · Delaware · Senate Jun 9, 2023

SB 73: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC WORKS BIDDER PREQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

This Act modifies the Public Works’ Bidder Prequalification period and changes from the existing 12-month valid period to a 24-month valid period.

signed · Delaware · Senate Jun 9, 2023

SB 57: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.

In Chiafalo v. Washington, 140 S.Ct. 2316 (2020), the United States Supreme Court made clear that states have the authority to remove or punish presidential electors who do not adhere to their obligation to vote faithfully for their parties’ candidates. This Act provides Delawareans with confidence that the votes they have cast will be honored when the Electoral College meets to decide the outcome of presidential elections by providing for the orderly operation of Delaware’s Electoral College voting process. This Act adopts the Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act, which was approved by the Uniform Law Commission. The Uniform Law Commission “provides states with non-partisan, well-conceived and well-drafted legislation that brings clarity and stability to critical areas of state statutory law.” This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

signed · Delaware · Senate Jun 9, 2023

SB 33: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES.

This bill adopts a key recommendation of the Child Protection Accountability Commission Caseloads and Workloads final report approved on November 20, 2019, that Division of Family Services (DFS) caseload standards be reduced from 18 to 12 families per worker. Due to the volume of work generated by a caseload of 18 families, workers are significantly restricted in the time they can spend on critical case activities such as family engagement, assessment of safety, and face-to-face contact with children and families.

signed · Delaware · Senate May 31, 2023

SB 62: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TRAVEL INSURANCE.

This Act makes minor changes to licensing and registration of limited lines travel insurance producers and travel retailers and establishes a comprehensive framework for the sale and marketing of travel insurance. Specifically, the legislation establishes uniform meanings of key terms; allows travel products to continue to be offered in a manner that provides a seamless consumer experience and cost-saving efficiencies; clarifies impermissible and prohibited sales practices, and the applicability of the state’s unfair trade practices law; requires several consumer disclosures; clarifies that travel insurance may be sold via individual, group, or blanket policies; clarifies current practice with respect to premium taxes; and clarifies that travel insurance is generally classified and filed as an inland marine line of insurance.

signed · Delaware · House May 31, 2023

HB 57: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SPEED EXHIBITIONS, DRAG RACING, AND OTHER SPEED CONTESTS.

During the 151st General Assembly, House Bill No. 328 was passed updating the law relating to drag racing and other speed contests. This bill makes a small change to that law by specifying that tag-surrender in lieu of impoundment is available as a penalty only for Delaware-registered vehicles.

signed · Delaware · Senate May 31, 2023

SB 95: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRIVER'S LICENSES.

This Act adds clarity to the statutory changes made by Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 151 of the 151st General Assembly related to driver’s licenses for foster children. This Act clarifies that during the initial 6 months of a Learner’s Permit, a foster parent is liable for the negligent driving of the foster child up to the limits of the foster parent's applicable insurance coverage. This Substitute differs from the original bill in that it clarifies the language that refers to the insurance coverage and clarifies such language in both the new subsection and in the existing Code.

Bill results