Sen. Bryant Richardson

This bill would allow a court of competent jurisdiction to dismiss minor equipment violations upon a showing that repair(s) have been made. The sections include inoperative horn, missing rear-view mirror, improper window tint, and inoperable headlights, taillights, turn signal lights, and lighting on a motorcycle.

This Act expands eligibility for Line-of-Duty disability benefits to paid firefighters who work for municipal fire departments and to fire service instructors and fire marshals who work for the State and for nonphysical disabilities. This Act also creates a presumption that a covered firefighter who is permanently disabled from heart disease, lung disease, cancer, or post-traumatic stress injury developed the disabling condition because of and in the course of performing official duties. This Act also provides a list of reasons may be used to rebut this presumption and requires fire companies to keep records of each firefighter's exposure to carcinogens. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

The National League of Families POW/MIA flag is a “symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoners, missing, or unaccounted for in all U.S. wars” 36. U.S.C. § 902. In 1989, the United States required the National League of Families POW/MIA flag be flown on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day. In 1991, Delaware enacted Senate Bill No. 87, Chapter 88 of Volume 68 of the Laws of Delaware, which required certain state buildings to fly the POW/MIA flag each day. Senate Bill No. 87 was not drafted as an amendment to the Delaware Code and so was not included in the Delaware Code. This Act codifies Senate Bill No. 87 into § 408 of Title 29 to conform § 408 with existing Delaware and federal law in recognition of this State's commitment to our Veterans. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This legislation allows the Delaware Commission of Veterans’ Affairs to employ the spouses of veterans and retains the stipulation that the Executive Director of the Commission must be a veteran.

This Act adds testifying at a hearing held by a standing committee of the House of Representatives or Senate or joint committee of the General Assembly within the definition of “swears falsely,” which applies to Delaware’s perjury laws. This addition means that false testimony to a standing or joint committee would subject a person to prosecution for perjury. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

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".

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 act restores the $500 senior real property tax credit.

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.