Sen. Anthony Delcollo

This Act increases the penalties for parking in an area designated for a vehicle being used by an individual with a disability. For a first offense this Act increases the monetary penalty from $100 to $200. For a subsequent offense, this Act increases the monetary penalty from $200 to $300. The offenses subject to these increased penalties are included without change in lines 4 through 27 to add context. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act revises the Delaware Nursing Home Resident's Quality Assurance Commission by doing all of the following: 1. Restores language regarding staffing and support from the Department of Justice that was repealed in error by House Bill No. 225 as amended by House Amendment No. 1 in the 149th General Assembly. 2. Revises membership to decrease the number of vacancies. 3. Makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

The Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee approved a project to work with the Governor's Office throughout 2018 and 2019 to identify antiquated boards, commissions, and councils that need statutory updates or outright repeals. The Delaware Health Resources Board was identified as needing 3 major changes: reducing the number of members to make it easier to make quorum and fill Board vacancies, updating language to provide for 3-year terms, and authorizing the Board to elect a vice chair. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

The Department of Transportation is already authorized to issue multi-trip permits for pole and piling semitrailers and double-bottom vehicles, also known as “twin trailers,” on a monthly basis. This Act authorizes the Department to also issue the permits on an annual basis. The existing law provides that a monthly permit must be issued for a specified period; an annual permit, in contrast, is not limited to a specified period.

This bill will add a new check-off donation box on the Delaware personal income tax return whereby individuals may choose to donate a portion of their tax refund, or designate an amount in addition to the tax they owe that will be transferred by the Division of Revenue to the Pediatric Cancer Research Fund held by the Delaware Community Foundation, who in turn will deposit the funds to the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.

This Act creates a permit which allows an individual to park a vehicle, that would otherwise be prohibited because of weight, on a residential street in New Castle County if the vehicle complies with all other size requirements; is the individual's sole or primary mode of transportation; and the vehicle is either provided by the individual's employer or essential to the individual's business. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

This Act codifies the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council (“DDC”), which was created through Executive Order No. 123 in 1982 and placed in the Department of Safety and Homeland Security in the FY 2007 Budget Act. The DDC is established to undertake advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that contribute to a coordinated, consumer- and family-centered, consumer- and family-directed, comprehensive system of community services, and individualized supports for Delawareans with developmental disabilities. The DDC is required by the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 and this Act incorporates the requirements of this federal law in establishing the requirements for DDC membership, the responsibilities of the DDC, and protections to avoid conflicts of interest in the awarding of funds.

Sections 1 and 2 of this Act make clear that an individual who is the subject of a false report is a victim and is entitled to restitution and the benefits of the Victims’ Bill of Rights. Section 3 of this Act corrects an internal reference to § 1245 of Title 11 based on changes made in Section 1 of this Act. Finally, this Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Employment for formerly incarcerated individuals is a major barrier to transitioning and re-entering the community. The National Institute of Justice estimates that 60% of ex-offenders are jobless one year after their release. Improving access to employment opportunities for ex-offenders helps lower the State’s recidivism rates and will improve public safety and reduce taxpayer spending on prisons. This Act seeks to improve access to employment for formerly incarcerated individuals by establishing the Ex-Offender Employment Opportunity Tax Credit that offers a tax credit to employers hiring qualified ex-offenders in an amount equal to 10% of that individuals wages, with a maximum credit of $1500.

This Act includes the dollar amount of an Educational Support Professional of the Year award received by a State employee when determining the final average compensation used to compute the State employee's pension. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.