Sen. Brian Pettyjohn

This act regulates persons who receive compensation for advising or assisting with veterans' benefits earned by serving our nation in the military. This bill would not prohibit persons or business entities from receiving compensation for advice to Veterans that is unrelated to veteran claims or services available to veterans from the V.A. or its accredited agencies. Investment, insurance, banking, and other advice or services not provided by the V.A., or its accredited agencies may be obtained by veterans and fees charged for such services.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates the week of May 13-17, 2024, as "Charter Schools Week" in the State of Delaware and commends Delaware's public charter schools for their efforts in educating Delaware students.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates May 18, 2024, as Armed Forces Day in Delaware. It does not create new laws, change policies, or affect any specific groups of people beyond honoring military service members. The measure simply acknowledges the date to recognize the contributions of past and present armed forces personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the week of May 12 to May 18, 2024, as National Skilled Nursing Care Week in Delaware. The resolution formally recognizes the contributions of staff at skilled nursing facilities and encourages community members to participate in related events. It highlights the importance of these care centers for the state's aging population but does not change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Delaware to highlight the importance of mental well-being across all age groups. It calls on citizens and government agencies to increase awareness and support for mental health resources, citing statistics on the prevalence of mental illness and the impact of the pandemic. The resolution also references recent legislative efforts to fund mental health counselors in schools, emphasizing the need for early identification and treatment of mental health conditions.

This Act creates a new chapter in Title 21 pertaining to the towing of vehicles without the consent of the owner or operator. It makes violations of the chapter an unlawful practice enforceable by the Consumer Protection Unit of the Department of Justice. The Act creates the following requirements for the towing and storage of vehicles without the consent of the owner or operator: Photographic evidence must be taken to document the unauthorized parking of a vehicle before it can be towed. Tow companies and storage facilities must publicly display their rates. Towing and storage rates must be reasonable, with reasonableness calculated in relation to the fees imposed by the companies for consensual towing and storage or based on average rates in the county. A maximum total towing and storage rate of $500 is imposed. Tow companies must decouple or drop vehicles that have not been removed from parking areas if the owner returns before removal. The drop fee may not be more than 50% of the tow fee. Storage facilities must be open or accessible to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week, and tow companies must make reasonable accommodations to redeem vehicles after-hours. Individuals must be allowed to retrieve at no cost personal belongings from vehicles held in storage. Tow companies and storage facilities must accept credit cards. Where a tow is completed in violation of the chapter, the owner or operator is entitled to both reimbursement of the tow and storage fees as well as damages incurred to retrieve an illegally towed vehicle. Tow companies are liable for property damage sustained due to a non-consensual tow or storage. Tow companies may not patrol for illegally parked cars. Tow companies may not pay or give other benefits to obtain information about cars parked without authorization.

This Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to establish the right to hunt and fish in Delaware. Twenty-one other states have preserved the rights of their citizens to hunt, fish, or trap wildlife. This Act is modeled after the constitutional provisions of Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee. This Act specifically acknowledges Delaware’s valued, natural heritage of hunting, fishing, and trapping, and declares hunting, fishing, and trapping as the preferred methods of managing and controlling wildlife in this State. This Act may not be applied to do any of the following: 1. Affect rights to divert, appropriate, or use water, or to establish a minimum amount of water in any water body. 2. Lead to a diminution or abrogation of a public or private right or of the State’s power to regulate commercial activities. 3. Prevent the suspension or revocation, under a law enacted by the General Assembly, of an individual’s hunting, fishing, or trapping license. 4. Alter a burden of proof requirement otherwise established by law for a challenge to a law or regulation pertaining to hunting, fishing, or trapping the wildlife of this State.

This Concurrent resolution recognizes the Success of the Downtown Development District (“DDD”) Program on the tenth anniversary of its establishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates May 2024 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in Delaware to highlight the disease and support research efforts. It does not change laws or require any new funding, but instead serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public understanding of cystic fibrosis, which affects the lungs and digestive systems of thousands of people. The resolution directs that a copy of the proclamation be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, aligning with the national theme of fostering community unity around the disease.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 9, 2024, as Delaware Local Government Day in the State of Delaware.