Sen. Jack Walsh

This Act limits the ability to set professional standards and licensing requirements for plumbing or HVACR licensees to the Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Examiners. This Act requires a 2/3 vote requirement because it indirectly impacts a municipal charter.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 18, 2025, as “National Youth Heart Screening Day” in Delaware and reaffirms our commitment to saving lives through prevention, education, and access to lifesaving tools and resources.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SCR 25) formally honors Darwin R. Wall of Middletown, Delaware, for his military service during the Vietnam War and his 2023 award of the Bronze Star Medal. It recognizes his role as a military police officer with the "Bushwhackers" unit who engaged in combat operations but was initially denied combat badges. The resolution expresses the State of Delaware's gratitude for his service and acknowledges his well-deserved Bronze Star, which he received after a lengthy process. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - only symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryDelaware's Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 (SCR 24) formally recognizes Ireland's specific historical contributions to the U.S. War of Independence, including Irish military participation and naval leadership. It honors figures like Captain John Barry (known as the "Father of the American Navy") and Irish soldiers at battles such as Bunker Hill, as detailed in the resolution's preamble. The resolution has no legal effect but serves as a symbolic gesture of appreciation, directing that certified copies be sent to Delaware's federal lawmakers and the American Ireland State Legislators Caucus. This procedural resolution directly affects Delaware's legislative record and its relationship with Ireland, without altering any laws or policies.

Section 1 of this Act increases the burial benefit for individuals receiving a pension under the State Employees’ Pension Plan (Chapter 55 of Title 29 of the Delaware Code) from $7,000 to $10,000. The amount of this benefit has not been increased since 2001 (See 73 Del. Laws, c. 146, § 5). Section 1 of this Act directly increases the amount of the burial benefit for individuals receiving a pension under the State Employees’ Pension Plan and also increases the funeral benefits under additional pension plans because the amount of the benefits under the following pension plans is the same as the amount under § 5546 of Title 29: • The State Police Pension Plan, Chapter 83 of Title 11. • The Delaware County and Municipal Police and Firefighter Pension Plan, Chapter 88 of Title 11. • The early retirement option for state employees, Chapter 53 of Title 29. In addition, Section 1 of this Act increases the reasonable funeral expenses permitted in a wrongful death action under § 3724(d)(4) of Title 10 because the maximum for these damages is the amount under § 5546 of Title 29. Section 2 of this Act delays the effect of this Act until October 1, 2025, to provide time to implement this Act after the enactment of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations act containing the funding for this Act. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Maddy summaryHCR 16 is a symbolic resolution designating March 2025 as "Multiple Sclerosis Month" in Delaware. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally recognizes the month to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic nervous system disease affecting an estimated 2.3 million people worldwide. The resolution calls on Delaware residents to learn about MS and support those diagnosed with the condition. This is a ceremonial gesture with no direct policy impact, aligning with national MS Awareness Month efforts.

Section 1 of this Act increases to $10,000 the amount of funeral expenses which can be paid for the funeral of a deceased member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire company ladies auxiliary, or volunteer ambulance and rescue company. The amount of this benefit has not been increased since 2004 (See 74 Del. Laws, c. 339, § 1). Consistent with a legal interpretation of the existing law by state agencies, Section 1 of this Act continues to enable the payment of funeral expenses for the funeral of a deceased member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire company ladies auxiliary, or volunteer ambulance and rescue company even if the member was also a state employee entitled to burial benefits under § 8331 of Title 11, § 8395 of Title 11, § 8846 of Title 11, or § 5316 of Title 29. However, Section 1 of this Act makes changes to existing law to make this legal interpretation clear and to specifically identify the state employee burial benefits to which this provision applies. Section 2 of this Act delays the effect of this Act until October 1, 2025, to provide time to implement this Act after the enactment of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations act containing the funding for this Act. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Maddy summaryHB 72 changes Delaware's senior property tax credit eligibility by reducing the required residency period from 10 years to 3 years for seniors aged 65+ who own their homes as principal residences. Currently, seniors who established residency after 2017 need 10 years of Delaware residency to qualify (through 2025), but this bill would immediately revert to the pre-2017 standard of 3 consecutive years of residency. The change applies to all future claims, making the credit accessible to more seniors who have lived in Delaware for a shorter time. This directly affects Delaware seniors seeking to reduce property tax bills on their primary homes.

Currently, the Delaware Educator Apprenticeship Progam offers teacher apprenticeships to aspiring educators in Delaware. This Act expands the Delaware Educator Apprenticeship Program to include paraprofessional apprenticeships (paraprofessional registered occupation programs) and registered youth apprenticeship programs that begin in high school. Under this Act, the DOE will work with the DOL to create at least 1 paraprofessional registered occupation pilot program for the 2025-2026 school year. To that end, the DOE, in partnership with the DOL, must apply for State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Grants, both formula and competitive funding, for the 2025-2026 school year, along with any other available state or federal funding.

This Act amends the Public Laws of Delaware relating to the Affordable Housing Production Task Force by extending the deadline for the provision of the final report of the Task Force from March 1, 2025 to April 7, 2025. This Act also makes a technical correction to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.