Sen. Laura Sturgeon

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 2024 as Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month in Delaware to highlight the prevalence and challenges of conditions where the immune system attacks healthy body tissues. The resolution aims to educate the public about autoimmune diseases, which affect over 23.5 million Americans and include conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. By recognizing this month, the state intends to draw attention to the need for improved research funding, standardized diagnostic testing, and effective treatments for these chronic illnesses.

This Act adds intentional interference with the operation of a school bus to the offense of disorderly conduct. Interference with a school bus may include boarding a school bus and refusing to exist after being lawfully ordered to do so by the school bus driver; wrongfully restricting the movement of a school bus; or threatening the school bus driver or any passenger entering, leaving, or waiting for a school bus. A student or passenger otherwise authorized to be on the school bus in the ordinary course of business may not be guilty of disorderly conduct for intentional interference with the operation of a school bus. This Act comes from a recommendation by the Public School Transportation Committee. According to the Committee, many school bus drivers encounter irate individuals during their daily routes. This Act is based on a law from South Carolina that the Committee reviewed and endorsed.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of July 2024 as "American Pride Month" throughout the State of Delaware. It serves as a commemorative resolution intended to highlight historical achievements and patriotism rather than implementing new laws or regulations. The text includes numerous statements honoring various American heroes, from the Founding Fathers to military veterans and civil rights activists. The measure does not create any legal obligations or funding requirements; it simply establishes a symbolic designation for the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 2024 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Delaware to highlight the importance of early detection and public education regarding the disease. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a formal acknowledgment to encourage awareness among residents. By officially recognizing this month, the state aims to promote discussions about screening and symptoms without imposing new requirements on individuals or organizations.

This act requires a commercial entity that knowingly or intentionally provides pornography and other materials defined as harmful to minors to verify the age of individuals accessing the material. Civil liability and a civil penalty are imposed on commercial entities that fail to comply with verification requirements. Additionally, an internet provider or user of an interactive computer service on the internet is not subject to liability. This act is modeled after similar laws in Virginia, Utah, and Louisiana.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution designates the week of June 10-16, 2024, as "National Men's Health Week" throughout the State of Delaware. The bill aims to raise awareness about men's physical and mental health issues by encouraging open conversations and promoting preventative care during this specific time period. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official state recognition to support existing national health awareness efforts.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution designates Wednesday, June 12, 2024, as Women Veterans Day throughout the State of Delaware. The measure directly affects the state's official calendar and serves to acknowledge the historical contributions and sacrifices of women who have served in the U.S. military. By passing this concurrent resolution, the Delaware General Assembly formally recognizes the service of over 7,000 women veterans residing in the state. The text highlights key milestones in women's military service, such as the 1948 law that allowed women to serve as permanent regular members of the armed forces. This action is a commemorative gesture rather than a change to laws or government operations.

This House Concurrent Resolution reaffirms Delaware's commitment to strengthen the longstanding partnership with Taiwan, supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the United States; commends Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy; supports the reopening of a Delaware Trade Office in Taiwan; and continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contributions in international organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that officially designates June 17th as "Delaware Day of Service." It directly affects Delaware residents by encouraging them to participate in volunteer activities such as mentoring, environmental work, and assisting those in need. The resolution highlights the state's existing volunteer efforts, noting that over 300,000 hours of service are recorded annually and that AmeriCorps programs support hundreds of volunteers across the state. By passing this measure, the legislature aims to celebrate and promote the importance of community service without changing any laws or funding.

This Act is the first leg of a constitutional amendment to eliminate the limitations on when an individual may vote absentee and authorizes the General Assembly to enact general laws providing the circumstances, rules, and procedures for absentee voting in this State. This Act is in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Albence v. Higgins, 2022 Del. LEXIS 377 (Del. 2022). This Act requires all absentee ballots to include an oath or affirmation that the qualified voter’s vote is free from improper influence. This oath or affirmation is in lieu of the oath or affirmation required under Section 3 of Article V of the Delaware Constitution. Amending the Delaware Constitution requires not only the passing of the changes in this Act, but also passage of the same changes after the next general election by the next General Assembly. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend the Delaware Constitution.