Rep. Debra Heffernan

This Act requires that accumulated snow and ice be removed from services of a vehicle before it is operated and imposes a civil penalty for a violation. This Act also creates a civil penalty for each instance where snow or ice dislodges from a moving vehicle and causes property damage or personal injury but this penalty is not an exclusive remedy for property damage or personal injury.

This Act restricts access to tobacco products and tobacco substitutes to individuals under age 21 by doing all of the following: 1. Prohibits sales of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes to individuals who are under 21. 2. Imposes a civil penalty for sales to individuals between the ages of 18 and 21. 3. Repeals the ability of a parent or guardian to purchase tobacco products or tobacco substitutes for a minor. 4. Revises the framework by which an employer may use an affirmative defense to the improper sale of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes, aligning the affirmative defense with the minimum age increase. 5. Adopts best practices for enforcement measures by modifying the prohibition against the purchase of tobacco products by minors. 6. Prohibits individuals under age 21 from entering vapor establishments. This Substitute Bill differs from Senate Bill No. 25 as follows: 1. Revises the definitions of "tobacco product" and tobacco substitute" for clarity and makes corresponding changes to related statutes. 2. Allows employees under age 21 who are employed by a vapor establishment on the effective date of this Act to continue working at the vapor establishment if the vapor establishment provides the required documentation to the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement. 3. Makes this Act effective 90 days after enactment. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Talleyville Girls Softball League.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the valuable contributions that the Lions Club International makes to our local communities, as well as the world at-large, by designating April 9, 2019 as "Delaware State Lions Day" in the State of Delaware.

This House Concurrent Resolution designates April 2, 2019 AS "EQUAL PAY DAY" in the State of Delaware.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.