Sen. Bryan Townsend

This Resolution pays tribute to the men and women of the Delaware National Guard for their service and sacrifices in support of defending our state and nation, and recognizes the outstanding advocacy provided by the National Guard Association of Delaware

This House Concurrent Resolution designates the 21st day of the Month of March 2025 as “Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day” and celebrates the beauty and contributions that people with Down syndrome make in Delaware.

Maddy summarySCR 29 is a symbolic resolution recognizing March 18, 2025, as "National Public Defense Day" in Delaware. It commemorates the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in *Gideon v. Wainwright*, which established the right to counsel for indigent defendants. The resolution honors Delaware's Office of Defense Services, which provides legal representation to people who cannot afford attorneys and handles over 20,000 cases annually. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or change policies - it solely serves to acknowledge the importance of public defense.

The State of Delaware previously offered an employer match for state employee contributions to the deferred compensation program. The purpose of the match was to help state employees save and build wealth for retirement and to enable state government to recruit and retain talent by offering a valuable retirement savings benefit. In July 2008, during the Great Recession, the State suspended the employer match to cut costs. Every year since fiscal year 2008, the General Assembly has written in the annual appropriations bill: “It is the intent of the General Assembly that this program be reinstated when funding becomes available.” This Act updates the laws governing the employer match in anticipation of the General Assembly restoring the match this session and increases the maximum match to $20 per pay period. This Act also eases restrictions on which participants are eligible for the match. To help employees who are unable to save for retirement because of their student loan burden, this Act enables a match for employee’s student loan payments with employer contributions to their deferred compensation account. Congress enabled employers to make this type of matching contribution with the passage of the SECURE 2.0 Act, which was included in the Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This Act provides the Plans Management Board with the discretion to determine which plan the matching contributions should be deposited into.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 2025 as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month" in the State of Delaware and highlights the importance of education, prevention, and early detection to reduce the impact of colorectal cancer.

Maddy summarySCR 26 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing March 16-22, 2025, as "National Agriculture Week" in Delaware. It honors Delaware’s agricultural sector through symbolic recognition, highlighting the industry’s economic and cultural significance without creating new laws or policies. The resolution cites Delaware’s farm production (e.g., 601 million chickens raised in 2023) and farmland preservation efforts as context for the designation. This is purely a symbolic gesture with no direct policy impact or funding changes.

This Act limits the ability to set professional standards and licensing requirements for plumbing or HVACR licensees to the Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Examiners. This Act requires a 2/3 vote requirement because it indirectly impacts a municipal charter.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution recognizing March 18, 2025, as "Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness" in Delaware. It does not create new programs or funding but formally acknowledges the ongoing crisis of burnout, mental health challenges, and workplace violence affecting healthcare workers. The resolution cites statistics showing 50% of healthcare workers experienced burnout in 2020, along with high rates of violence and depression among nurses and physicians. It aligns with prior federal efforts like the Dr. Lorna Breen Act but focuses solely on raising awareness through this designated day. The resolution directly affects Delaware healthcare workers and the state's commitment to addressing workforce well-being.

Maddy summaryHCR 14 is a symbolic concurrent resolution recognizing the holy month of Ramadan and Delaware's Muslim residents who observe it. It formally acknowledges Ramadan's significance in Islam - marking the revelation of the Quran, involving fasting from dawn to dusk, and emphasizing spiritual reflection - and highlights the contributions of Muslim Americans to Delaware's history, economy, and community. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes; it is purely ceremonial, affirming respect for religious observance as protected under the First Amendment. It passed unanimously in both legislative chambers on March 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryDelaware's Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 (SCR 24) formally recognizes Ireland's specific historical contributions to the U.S. War of Independence, including Irish military participation and naval leadership. It honors figures like Captain John Barry (known as the "Father of the American Navy") and Irish soldiers at battles such as Bunker Hill, as detailed in the resolution's preamble. The resolution has no legal effect but serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation, directing that certified copies be sent to Delaware's federal lawmakers and the American Ireland State Legislators Caucus. This procedural resolution directly affects Delaware's legislative record and its relationship with Ireland, without altering any laws or policies.