Photo of Debra Heffernan
D Delaware House · District 6

Rep. Debra Heffernan

Compare
Total votes
2,772
all sessions
Attendance
94%
161 missed
Near the chamber average
With party
99%
of cast votes
Higher than 76% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
0%
crosses aisle rarely
Near the chamber average
Sponsored
669
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
7
assignments
669 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
669
Primary
281
Co-sponsor
388
This page
669
matching current filters
Co-sponsor HB 7
In committee · Delaware House · Co-sponsor
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO JUVENILE RECORDS.

Recognizing that a criminal charge can have lasting collateral consequences for a juvenile on employment and education opportunities, this bill raises the age in which a juvenile’s information, such as their name and mug shot, may be released by the state. The bill also seeks to address issues related to the release of such information on publicly-maintained social media pages. This bill seeks to balance both the rights of juveniles and the public’s right to know by saying that the names and photos of juveniles who have been charged and/or found delinquent of Class A misdemeanors, and Title 11 felonies, may only be released when the offending juvenile is 16 or older. This legislation also adds clarifying language to prevent the inadvertent release of sensitive information online that could have lasting impacts on a juvenile long after they have been charged, and in some cases, acquitted, of a crime.

In committee May 17, 2017 1 co-sponsor
Primary HB 55
In committee · Delaware House · Lead sponsor
AN ACT TO AMEND THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

This Act increases the age requirement for compulsory school attendance in Delaware from 16 to 18 years of age. The age increase is phased in over a two-year period; accordingly, there is a one-year interim period where the compulsory school attendance age requirement will be 17 years old. The Act further provides that a child may be exempt from the age requirement for compulsory school attendance if the child has received a high school diploma or a certificate of performance or obtains permission to withdraw from school from the superintendent of the district in which the child is enrolled or from the president of the board of the charter school in which the child is enrolled. To obtain a waiver from the date of enactment of this Act until August 31, 2018, a child must be at least 16 years old. To obtain a waiver on or after September 1, 2018, a child must be at least 17 years old. The Act preserves the exemption under which a child may be excused from compulsory attendance upon request of the child's parent or legal guardian coupled with supporting written documentation from a qualified health professional.

In committee May 11, 2017 0 co-sponsors
Primary SCR 20
Passed · Delaware Senate · Lead sponsor
ESTABLISHING THE STATEWIDE ECOLOGICAL EXTINCTION TASK FORCE.

This Concurrent Resolution establishes a task force to study the issue of the local extinction of species in Delaware and recommend solutions to reverse the present course. The task force is required to deliver its report no later than December 1, 2017.

Passed May 9, 2017 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor HB 82
Signed into law · Delaware House · Co-sponsor
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE BOARD OF MENTAL HEALTH AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY PROFESSIONALS.

Sections 1-4 clarify the type of supervised experience applicants are required to obtain in order to be qualified for licensure and eliminates the requirement that reciprocal applicants be certified by a national organization prior to being qualified for licensure. Additionally, section 2 eliminates a pending criminal charge as a basis to deny licensure. Section 5 changes the law governing chemical dependency professionals to eliminate a pending criminal charge as a basis to deny licensure. Sections 6-9 clarify the type of supervised experience applicants are required to obtain in order to be qualified for licensure and eliminates the requirement that reciprocal applicants be certified by a national organization prior to being qualified for licensure. Additionally, section 7 eliminates a pending criminal charge as a basis to deny licensure.

Signed into law May 2, 2017 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 149
In committee · Delaware House · Co-sponsor
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE COMPLETE YOUR DEGREE GRANT PROGRAM.

This Act creates the Complete Your Degree Grant Program. Under this program, state funds may be provided to help eligible students who have completed at least 30 credit hours return to school and complete an associate degree.

In committee Apr 26, 2017 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 17
Signed into law · Delaware Senate · Co-sponsor
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ANATOMICAL GIFTS.

This bill provides for research or transplantation of organs and other anatomical gifts as authorized under federal law among donors who have tested positive for exposure to HIV and intended recipients who have also tested positive for exposure to HIV. Delaware is currently the only state that has laws prohibiting the use of HIV positive organs for HIV positive recipients entirely, including the use of organs as part of a research protocol.

Signed into law Apr 25, 2017 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 37
Signed into law · Delaware House · Co-sponsor
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF SMYRNA.

This Act authorizes the Smyrna School District to convey to the Town of Smyrna property located in Kent County, and known as the School Administration Building, to be used by the Town for public purposes, including incorporating the building and property as part of the proposed Duck Creek Regional Library and Community Center at Smyrna.

Signed into law Apr 13, 2017 1 co-sponsor
Showing 651 to 660 of 669 bills