This Act implements a recommendation from the December 31, 2023, Report of the Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee. Under this Act, the amount of the premium for a health-care insurance plan that this State will pay on behalf of eligible pensioners who were first employed as a regular officer or employee on or after January 1, 2025, and who are not subject to mandatory retirement, is changed as follows: 1. For eligible pensioners employed by the State for at least 15 years but less than 20 years at the time of retirement, 50% of the of the premium. 2. For eligible pensioners employed by the State for at least 20 years but less than 25 years at the time of retirement, 75% of the of the premium. 3. For eligible pensioners employed by the State for 25 or more years at the time of retirement, 100% of the of the premium. All other revisions to current law under this Act are technical changes to improve clarity and conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. These technical changes include the addition of new defined terms and the reorganization of existing law. In § 5201 of Title 29, this Act makes the following technical changes: 1. Revises the definitions of “eligible pensioner”, “plan”, and “regular officer or employee” to remove inconsistent language and align with each other and current law. 2. To avoid repeating phrases in § 5202 of Title 29, clarifies that only for purposes of the amount of the premium paid by the State for health-care insurance plans, the term “eligible pensioner” includes the eligible pensioner’s eligible spouse and dependents and defines the following terms: • “First employed” means the date when the eligible pensioner began work as a regular officer or employee. • “Mandatory retirement” means mandatory retirement for members of the State Police under § 8361 of Title 11. • “Maximum state share" means the amount of the premium that the State pays for a plan before the proration ratio is applied. • “Premium” means the total premium or subscription charge for a health-care insurance plan provided under Chapter 52 of Title 29. In § 5202 of Title 29, this Act makes technical changes to clarify current law regarding the amount of the premium for a health-care insurance plan that this State will pay on behalf of a regular officer or employee or an eligible pensioner by doing the following: 1. Creates the following terms: • “Proration ratio”, which means the percentage applied to the maximum state share. For eligible pensioners, the “proration ratio” is based on when the eligible pensioner was first employed and the number of years the eligible pensioner had been employed as a regular officer or employee at the time of retirement. • “Prorated state share”, which means the dollar amount that the State pays for a plan on behalf of a regular officer or employee or an eligible pensioner. The “prorated state share” is the product of multiplying the proration ratio with the maximum state share. 2. Revises subsection (a) to use the new terms defined under this Act. 3. Transfers the current provisions in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) that provide the maximum state share for eligible pensioners to subsection (a), so they are with the maximum state share for regular officers and employees. 4. Revises subsection (b) so that the proration ratio and how it is used to determine the prorated state share is explained in paragraph (b)(1) and the proration ratios are provided in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3). • Paragraph (b)(2) lists all groups for whom the proration ratio is 100% because there are no deductions to the maximum state share. • Paragraph (b)(3) provides the proration ratios for eligible pensioners based on the date the eligible pensioner was first employed and years of employment as a regular officer or employee. These ratios clarify that for eligible pensioners who worked for less than the minimum number of years for the 50% proration ratio, the State does not pay anything towards the maximum state share.
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This Act acknowledges the importance of diversity and inclusivity in education by requiring the Department of Education to update content standards and regulations using a non-exhaustive list of racial, ethnic, and cultural groups.
This Act requires crisis pregnancy centers in this state to provide notice if the center is not licensed by this state as a medical facility and does not have a licensed medical provider who provides or directly supervises, in person, the provision of services. A violation of this Act is an unlawful practice under § 2513 of Title 6 and a violation of Subchapter II, Chapter 25 of Title 6.
Like Senate Bill No. 301, this Act, Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 301 requires public universities in this state to provide access to medication for the termination of pregnancy and emergency contraception. The medication and contraception must be provided on-site, but consultation to provide them may be performed by a provider at the student health center or by a provider who is associated with a university-contracted external agency. This Act takes effect on July 1, 2025. Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill No. 301 differs from SB 301 as follows: - Defines the term "student." - Provides an exception for a university that does not have a student health center, including requirements that the university provide information and referral services to students and ensure that the university's health services website provides specified information relating to reproductive services. - Adds a requirement that universities maintain confidentiality of information a student provides relating to a request for a referral. - Removes references to private institutions of postsecondary education.
This Act removes “supervision” from the scope of practice of a master’s social worker. This Act also prohibits a master’s social worker from providing supervision to a licensed clinical social worker applicant. The Board of Social Work Examiners (Board) determined that a master’s social worker lacks the education and experience needed to provide clinical supervision. Under this Act, an applicant for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker may still obtain supervision from a licensed psychologist or licensed psychiatrist where a licensed clinical social worker is not available, under the Board’s rules and regulations. This Act also adds a grandfathering provision so that an applicant or licensed clinical social worker who started or completed supervision with a master’s social worker on or before the enactment date of this Act satisfies the supervision requirement under § 3907(b)(4) of this title as long as the applicant or licensed clinical social worker is otherwise in compliance with § 3907(b)(4) of this title. The grandfathering provision also allows a master’s social worker who is supervising an applicant as of the enactment date of this Act to continue supervision under the applicant completes the 2-year supervised experience requirement.
This Act clarifies the Attorney General’s existing authority to enforce the State’s consumer protection laws, specifically the Attorney General’s ability to pursue non-penalty civil remedies, such as damages and restitution, without having to show that a person’s violation of a law or regulation enforced by the Department of Justice’s Division of Consumer Protection was wilful. This Act does not change the requirement that the Attorney General show that such a violation was wilful in order to obtain civil penalties from a court or hearing officer. Every other state that has a similar state of mind requirement in their consumer fraud law does not impose that state of mind requirement for non-penalty civil remedies. By harmonizing the language in the Consumer Fraud Act (Subchapter II, Chapter 25, Title 6 of the Code) and the Division of Consumer Protection’s enabling statute (Subchapter II, Chapter 25, Title 29 of the Code), this Act clarifies that Delaware is line with the other states. This Act also strikes outdated language in the Consumer Fraud Act requiring cases to be filed in specific counties, as the Superior Court and the Court of Chancery have both eliminated their historical county filing requirement. Additionally, this Act fixes inconsistencies with the Summary Cease and Desist Order process, by clarifying that an alleged violator must request a hearing in order to trigger the Division of Consumer Protection’s obligation to hold a hearing. This Act further clarifies the Summary Cease and Desist Order process, such as by making explicit the alleged violator’s right to postpone a hearing and final order, changing the various 10 day requirements to 15 business days, and removing the requirement for a complaint to accompany the original summary cease and desist order.
Section 2306 of Title 14 requires that when a new school is constructed or a major renovation is undertaken, the construction or renovation must include certain safety features, including a secured vestibule and the installation of "ballistic resistant glass or other ballistic resistant materials" in certain areas of the school. This Act adds that ballistic resistant film may be used in addition to ballistic resistant glass. This Act also removes “or other ballistic resistant materials” because it was being interpreted to require ballistic resistant desks and other features that may not improve safety outcomes. This Act also changes the review process for existing schools undergoing a major renovation. Ensuring existing schools are able to comply with the safety requirements in § 2306 can require expensive changes that are not necessarily clear from the outset. This Act requires that the school district and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security engage in the review under § 6307A of Title 29 before a certificate of necessity is submitted. This will ensure the safety requirements under § 2306 are met and allow school districts to have a better idea of how much money is needed to successfully complete the project without having to later reallocate funds from another source. The timing requirement added by this Act in § 6307A of Title 29 does not apply to a school undergoing a major renovation if the certificate of necessity was submitted before the date of this Act’s enactment into law. This Act specifies that if there is disagreement about a construction plan’s compliance with school safety requirements after the review under § 6307A of Title 29, then the school district may request an additional review be conducted by the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The Secretary shall review the construction plans and make the final determination about the construction plan’s compliance. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
This Act revises State procurement rules to require that beginning January 1, 2026, state agencies under Chapter 69 of Title 29 must purchase only native plants, including cultivars and hybrids of native plants, in the development of new landscaped areas and in the rehabilitation of exiting landscaped areas. Beginning January 1, 2025, the Department of Agriculture, with the advice of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Native Species Commission, must maintain a list of native plants that are generally available and appropriate for the needs of agencies. This Act provides exceptions to the requirement to purchase native plants, if the plant is not invasive and is being used for any of the following purposes: 1. Land purchased and managed as an historic property. 2. An appropriate habitat for zoo animals. 3. Agriculture. 4. Areas maintained as grass or turf, such as athletic fields, golf courses, lawns, and a right-of-way along a road. 5. Botanical gardens. 6. Ecological research. 7. Flowering annuals within landscape beds. 8. With the approval of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control or the Department of Agriculture: wildlife plantings, land where a native species cannot thrive, and when necessary for trees. This Act also makes the Delaware Native Species Commission permanent.
This Act codifies the Delaware Hispanic Commission (“Commission”). The Commission was created by former Governor Jack Markell in Executive Order Number 28 to combine and streamline the duties of the former Governor’s Council on Hispanic Affairs and the former Governor’s Consortium on Hispanic Affairs. Under the executive order, the Commission’s duty is to advise the Governor, the Governor’s Cabinet, and members of the General Assembly on matters that are important to people of Hispanic descent in Delaware. Under this Act, the Commission will perform the same duties it has since its creation by the Governor. Codifying the Commission will create equity with other heritage commissions created under Title 29. Codifying the Commission will also help the Commission to perform its duties by creating long-term stability, allowing the Commission’s members to be appointed by a variety of stakeholders, and giving the Commission guidance from the Delaware Department of State. Under this Act, the Commission keeps all current members through June 30, 2028, and the Commission membership consists of the Governor’s appointees who serve at the Governor’s pleasure. All Commission officers who are currently serving will remain in office through June 30, 2028. After June 30, 2028, 17 members will be appointed to the Commission according to § 4502 of Title 29, and a chair and vice chair will be elected according to § 4502 of Title 29.
This Act legalizes the sale and distribution of raw milk and products derived from raw milk by dairy producers directly to consumers for human consumption. This Act also removes the unused definitions of “Delaware fresh milk” and “northeastern fresh milk” from Subchapter VI of Title 3. The definition of “fresh milk” under current § 3175 of Title 3 is retained. The sale of raw milk, which is unprocessed, unpasteurized, and unhomogenized, is currently prohibited by Section 9 of the current United States Department of Health and Human Services' Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, as amended, which the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services adopted by regulation. However, consumers are increasingly demanding the opportunity to purchase raw milk in Delaware, rather than traveling to other states that permit raw milk sales. Allowing raw milk and products derived from raw milk to be sold in Delaware will respond to that demand while also providing new economic opportunities for Delaware dairy producers. These economic benefits can be significant; the Raw Milk Institute estimates that raw milk producers can earn a profit that is nearly 10 times what they earn for regular milk sales. To achieve these benefits and meet consumer demand, this Act creates a raw milk permit to be issued and enforced by the Department of Agriculture, and exempts raw milk permit holders from the State of Delaware Milk Code provided they comply with all requirements of the Act. This Act provides that no raw milk or product derived from raw milk may be sold in Delaware other than by a raw milk permit holder or an individual under the direct supervision of a raw milk permit holder, such as an employee. The sale or distribution of raw milk and products derived from raw milk must be made directly by the permit holder or individual under the supervision of the permit holder to the consumer and not for purposes of resale. This Act also establishes requirements for signage and labeling informing consumers that raw milk is unprocessed, unpasteurized, and unhomogenized and may contain harmful bacteria. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Services, is responsible for promulgating regulations to administer the raw milk permit program and for ensuring compliance with this Act. This Act goes into effect on enactment and is to be implemented the earlier of the following: (1) 1 year from the date of the Act’s enactment. (2) Notice by the Secretary of Agriculture published in the Register of Regulations that final regulations to implement this Act have been adopted. This Act may be cited as “The Consumer Choice Milk Act“.