Sen. Ernesto B. Lopez

This Senate Concurrent Resolution marks the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the first known Africans in English North America at Point Comfort, Virginia in 1619. It addresses the history of American slavery which grew out of that event, ultimately involving 15 American states including Delaware, and serving as a major cause of the American Civil War. Finally the resolution urges all Delawareans to familiarize themselves with this history and honors African Americans for overcoming this terrible reality to build a culture of extraordinary richness which has enriched all our lives.

This Concurrent Resolution acknowledges June as LGBTQA+ Pride Month and recognizes the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall.

This Act establishes the Quality Improvement Advisory Council (“Advisory Council”) to promote collaboration and problem-solving with stakeholders in the system of care administered by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (“the Division”). The Division, in consultation with the Advisory Council, must submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Department of Health and Social Services on specific performance measures affecting services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Under this Act, the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee will review the Advisory Council in 2022 to determine whether it has been an effective tool for collaboration between the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services and the provider community.

Delaware is one of only a few states that does not provide statutory or regulatory authority regarding the regulation of service contracts and warranties. In some states, these products are regulated as insurance products. In other states, the Attorney General’s office retains oversight of these products. In Delaware, the regulation of these products is governed by a letter issued by the Department of Insurance in 1993 and Domestic/Foreign Insurers Bulletin No. 5 issued in 1997. This legislation essentially codifies the existing legal practice, and makes clear these products are not regulated as insurance products thus providing the Department of Justice with the authority to address legal issues pertaining to service contracts and product warranties.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the 100th anniversary of the American Legion Auxiliary in the State of Delaware.

This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and recognizes the lasting impact of space exploration and the audacious innovators who made it possible.

This bill clarifies that in order to be found guilty of prostitution the person must be 18 years or older.

Benzodiazepine drugs that are approved for medical use in the United States are classified by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency as Schedule IV. Fourteen benzodiazepine drugs are currently listed on Schedule IV of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, § 4720 of Title 16. Benzodiazepine drugs have a serious potential for abuse. This Act adds both additional benzodiazepine drugs by name and the category of benzodiazepine drugs to Schedule IV of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act so that all current and future benzodiazepine drugs are included on Schedule IV in Delaware, whether or not the specific drug is approved for medical use in the United States.

The Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee ("JLOSC") reviewed the Division for the Visually Impaired ("DVI") in 2019. As a result of that review, 31 recommendations for changes affecting DVI were presented for JLOSC's consideration. JLOSC determined that, to properly consider and decide whether to adopt 28 of the recommendations, a task force should be created to research, discuss, and report back to JLOSC its findings on the implementation of the 28 recommendations. JLOSC decided to form the task force through a simple resolution. This Resolution establishes the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee Task Force (“Task Force”) on the Division for the Visually Impaired. In addition to the 9 members of the Task Force, several consultants are also named, either individually or by organization, to share their expertise with the Task Force. The Task Force must hold its first meeting by August 15, 2019, and submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to JLOSC by January 3, 2020. The Task force will not approve the implementation of a recommendation or authorize or require a change in any statute, policy, or practice. The Task Force is designed, authorized, and limited to do only the following: - Research the background of and relevant information relating to JLOSC’s Recommendations 2 through 29. - Discuss the merits and concerns of each recommendation. - Report back to JLOSC on what the Task Force found in its research and discussions. Consultants are specified to ensure their participation in the Task Force, while the number of members is kept limited in the interest of meeting quorum and scheduling requirements more easily.

The Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee ("JLOSC") reviewed the Delaware Health Information Network (“DHIN") in 2019. As a result of that review, 4 recommendations relating to statutory changes to DHIN’s govnering statute were presented for JLOSC's consideration. JLOSC determined that a task force should be created to research, discuss, and report back to JLOSC its findings on the implementation of 3 of the 4 recommendations. JLOSC decided to form the task force through a simple resolution. This Resolution establishes the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee Task Force on the Delaware Health Information Network (“DHIN”). In addition to the 11 members of the Task Force, several consultants are also named, to share their expertise with the Task Force. The Task Force must hold its first meeting by August 31, 2019, and submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to JLOSC by January 10, 2020. The Task force will not approve the implementation of a recommendation or authorize or require a change in any statute, policy, or practice. The Task Force is designed, authorized, and limited to do only the following: - Research the background of and relevant information relating to JLOSC’s Recommendations 2, 4, and 6. - Discuss the merits and concerns of each recommendation. - Report back to JLOSC on what the Task Force found in its research and discussions. Consultants are specified to ensure their participation in the Task Force, while the number of members is kept limited in the interest of meeting quorum and scheduling requirements more easily.