Rep. Kendra Johnson

House Bill 212 enacted by the 148th General Assembly (80 Del. Laws c. 287) expanded the offense of Assault in the Second Degree to include the intentional assault of ambulance operators, rescue squad members, and nurses injured while performing work-related duties. As a result of increasing workplace violence directed against healthcare providers, this Act further defines Assault in the Second Degree to include other health care treatment providers and employees and hospital security personnel who are injured while performing their work related duties.

This Act recognizes the importance of sibling relationships to promote continuity and sustain family relationships for children in foster care by doing all of the following: 1. Requires a child's service plan include contact information and details regarding sibling visits, unless sibling visits are not in the best interest of either child. 2. Requires DSCYF to arrange visits with siblings when requested by a child, unless the visit is not in the best interest of a child, would violate a protection order, or would have a detrimental effect on the prosecution of a criminal case. 3. Provides a child with specific rights regarding their siblings, including placement near or with siblings if possible, and the ability to maintain frequent and meaningful contact if placement together is not possible. This Act also requires that a child, age 14 or older receive a written document containing the child's rights regarding placement and contact with siblings. This Act is known as the "Foster Child Siblings Bill of Rights".

A 2019 study found the following: (1) Black women are 80% more likely to change their natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work. (2) Black women are 50% more likely to be sent home or know of another Black woman sent home from work because of her hair. (3) Black women are 30% more likely to be made aware of a formal workplace appearance policy. Delaware law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race in a variety of settings. This Act makes clear that race also includes traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and a protective hairstyle, which includes braids, locks, and twists. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act requires public schools to begin their school year after Labor Day. There have been many economic impact reports done that show a positive impact from starting public schools after Labor Day. A report by the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association estimates that $369 million would be lost if schools were not required to start after Labor Day. This includes $104 million in wages and $21 million in state and local taxes. Maryland is considering similar legislation. A study of Maryland found that pushing the start of school back would generate $74.3 million in economic activity and $7.7 million in new state and local tax revenue. This Act takes effect for the 2020/2021 school year.

This bill changes the relationship between physicians and physician assistants from supervisory to collaborative, in recognition of the evolving role of physician assistants and reflecting the education, training, and experience required for licensing, which emphasizes the team-based practice model. The bill retains a 1:4 ratio of physician assistants to physicians, unless a regulation of the Board increases or decreases the number. This limit of 1:4 does not apply to physicians and physician assistants who practice in the same physical office or facility building, such as an emergency department. This bill increases the number of Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline members from 16 to 18, to include two physician assistant members appointed by the Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants. The bill authorizes physician assistants to participate as uncompensated volunteers in public or community events.

This Act requires that individual, group, State employee, and public assistance insurance plans provide coverage for epinephrine autoinjectors for individuals who are 18 years of age or under and must include at least 1 formulation of epinephrine autoinjectors on the lowest tier of the drug formulary developed and maintained by the carrier if the insurance plan has tiers.

Many of the State’s waters do not meet water quality standards to support their designated uses, such as for drinking, swimming or supporting aquatic life. The Clean Water for Delaware Act establishes a framework for assessing needs and planning and implementing projects that support Delaware’s efforts to improve the quality of the State’s water supply and waterways. A Delaware Clean Water Trust account is created as a funding source for executing projects highlighted by this framework. The Trust account will have oversight from the Clean Water Trust Oversight Committee (the “Committee”). The Committee will draw upon recommendations from the Water Infrastructure Advisory Council, (WIAC), the county Conservation Districts’, experts in the effected Cabinet agencies and other public input with the goal of assisting municipal and county governments and others in implementing affordable water quality projects. The Committee is required to develop and publish an Annual Report and multi-year Strategic Plan for Clean Water with annual updates.

This Act clarifies the circumstances in which it is appropriate to grant a person a driver education learner’s permit and what is required for a person to obtain a driver education learner’s permit. Specifically, this Act clarifies that a driver education learner’s permit is intended to be issued to those individuals who have met all of the requirements for a level 1 learner’s permit, but have not yet successfully completed a road skills test. This permit allows the individual to gain additional supervised driving experience needed to successfully complete the road skills test. This Act also establishes a clear connection between § 4125 of Title 14 and the requirements to obtain a driver education learner’s permit or a level 1 learner’s permit. Finally, this Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This House Concurrent Resolution proclaims January 23, 2020, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day" in the State of Delaware.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests that the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance study the extension of Medicaid coverage through the first year postpartum. Insurance coverage is a critical factor in determining women's access to affordable postpartum care and is a key strategy for reducing preventable maternal mortality and to close the disparity in the maternal mortaility rate among black women and women of other races.