Rep. Krista Griffith

The Plans Management Board (the “Board”) oversees and administers the State's Deferred Compensation Program authorized under chapter 60A of Title 29 of the Delaware Code. The Deferred Compensation Program encompasses the following 3 distinct supplemental retirement plans authorized under the Internal Revenue Code: the State's deferred compensation plan under 26 U.S.C. § 457(b); the State's tax-sheltered annuity plan for certain education employees under § 403(b); and the State’s employer match plan under 26 U.S.C. § 401(a). The Board also oversees and administers the State’s College Investment Plan under 26 U.S.C. § 529, authorized by Subchapter XII, Chapter 34 of Title 14 of the Delaware Code, and the State’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (“ABLE”) Program, authorized by Chapter 96A of Title 16 of the Delaware Code. None of these plans is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). Section 1 of this Act proposes a separate fiduciary standard for the College Investment and ABLE plans. The existing standard of care under § 2722(d) of Title 29, which presently covers all 5 plans, closely tracks the standard of care for retirement plans subject to ERISA. The existing standard, while appropriate for the State’s supplemental retirement plans, may restrict the Board’s ability to use administrative fees collected from participants in the College Investment Plan and ABLE Program to fund marketing expenses and implement scholarship, match, or promotional programs, as is common in the industry. The proposed standard for the College Investment Plan and ABLE Program maintains a high “prudent person” standard but will give the Board needed flexibility to use administrative fees to attract participants in the highly competitive College Investment Plan and ABLE Program markets. Section 2 of this Act addresses subcommittee members who are not also members of the full Board. This section makes clear such individuals are entitled to reimbursement and indemnification to the same extent as Board members.

Section 1 of this Act amends Section 903 of Title 13 of the Delaware Code. Substantively, this Act allows persons who are not married but who are cohabitating to jointly adopt a child that is not theirs. The Act also rewrites the statute so as to be more clearly understandable. Section 2 of this Act amends Section 951 of Title 13 of the Delaware Code. It allows persons who are not married but who are cohabitating to jointly adopt a child that is not theirs. The Act also changes the phrase "husband and wife" to "married couple."

This bill expands upon the existing at-store recycling program regarding the use of single-use plastic bags. The existing requirements will continue, however stores subject to this program will now be limited from providing single-use plastic bags for only specific uses thereby encouraging a shift to reusable bags. The purpose of the bill, as detailed in the preamble, is to clean up Delaware’s communities and watersheds, reduce storm water and trash management costs to taxpayers, and promote the health and safety of watersheds, wildlife and humans, and the ecosystem’s food chain. On January 1, 2021 this bill enacts a ban on stores providing single-use plastic bags at check-out.

This Act increases the civil jurisdictional limit for the Court of Common Pleas from $50,000 to $75,000, as recommended by the Jurisdiction Improvement Committee established by the Delaware Supreme Court Order of November 7, 2017.

This Act will prohibit political subdivisions of this State from requiring real estate licensees to obtain an additional business license or pay taxes in order to list property for sellers or represent buyers for the purchase of real estate.

Over 80% of pharmaceuticals in the United States are purchased through pharmacy benefits manager (“PBM”) networks. PBMs serve as intermediaries between health plans, pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, and PBMs establish networks for consumers to receive reimbursement for drugs. Given the scope of PBMs in the healthcare delivery system, this Act is designed to provide enhanced oversight and transparency as it relates PBMs. Specifically, this Act does the following: (1) Requires PBMs to register with the Insurance Commissioner. (2) Permits the Insurance Commissioner to issue cease and desist orders based on fraudulent acts or violations of Chapter 33A of Title 18 committed by PBMs. (3) Requires PBMs to maintain certain records. (4) Permits the Insurance Commissioner to examine the affairs of PBMs. (5) Grants the Insurance Commissioner the authority to enforce Chapter 33A of Title 18 by imposing fines, requiring PBMs to take affirmative actions, and suspending, denying, or revoking a PBM’s registration. In addition, this Act updates existing law regarding maximum allowable cost lists and establishes a more transparent appeals process for a pharmacy to rely on if a PBM does not reimburse the pharmacy the amount owed under their contract or the maximum allowable cost list. Finally, this Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act makes the following changes to provisions required in life insurance policies issued in this State: (1) Specifies that a certified copy of an insured's death certificate, or other lawful evidence providing equivalent information, is acceptable as due proof of death. (2) Requires that interest be paid on the death benefit due under a life insurance policy.

This bill makes three changes to health insurers and their relationships to providers. First, it limits the number of records that can be requested by a payer from a provider for post claim adjudication audits within a specific period of time. Second, it establishes a minimum filling standard for claims to be made. And third, it details requirements for electronic medical claim submissions and payment remittance. The goal is to reduce the overall cost to collect and make the process of claims, payments, and post claim adjudication audits more efficient especially as more insurers require electronic claims.

This Act adds one more member, a licensed health care professional knowledgeable in the screening and identification of domestic violence cases appointed by the Council, to the Fatal Incident Review Team of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. The Act also updates language regarding victims of domestic violence to include survivors. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act creates a Deputy Secretary position within the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families (“Department”) and exempts the position from the Merit System under Chapter 59 of Title 29. The Secretary of the Department may establish the powers, duties, and functions of the Deputy Secretary. This Act removes the limit on qualified persons the Secretary of the Department may appoint as special investigators for the Department. Lastly, this Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.