Sen. Jack Walsh

This Concurrent Resolution proclaims May 16, 2024, as "Home Care Advocacy Day" in Delaware to recognize the dedication and hard work of caregivers, to emphasize the critical importance of access to quality home care services for Delaware’s aging residents to live independently and age with dignity, and to advocate for policies and resources that support the delivery of high-quality, person-centered care in the home setting.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution designates the week of May 13-17, 2024, as "Charter Schools Week" in the State of Delaware and commends Delaware's public charter schools for their efforts in educating Delaware students.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that designates May 18, 2024, as Armed Forces Day in Delaware. It does not create new laws, change policies, or affect any specific groups of people beyond honoring military service members. The measure simply acknowledges the date to recognize the contributions of past and present armed forces personnel.

This Act creates a new chapter in Title 21 pertaining to the towing of vehicles without the consent of the owner or operator. It makes violations of the chapter an unlawful practice enforceable by the Consumer Protection Unit of the Department of Justice. The Act creates the following requirements for the towing and storage of vehicles without the consent of the owner or operator: Photographic evidence must be taken to document the unauthorized parking of a vehicle before it can be towed. Tow companies and storage facilities must publicly display their rates. Towing and storage rates must be reasonable, with reasonableness calculated in relation to the fees imposed by the companies for consensual towing and storage or based on average rates in the county. A maximum total towing and storage rate of $500 is imposed. Tow companies must decouple or drop vehicles that have not been removed from parking areas if the owner returns before removal. The drop fee may not be more than 50% of the tow fee. Storage facilities must be open or accessible to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week, and tow companies must make reasonable accommodations to redeem vehicles after-hours. Individuals must be allowed to retrieve at no cost personal belongings from vehicles held in storage. Tow companies and storage facilities must accept credit cards. Where a tow is completed in violation of the chapter, the owner or operator is entitled to both reimbursement of the tow and storage fees as well as damages incurred to retrieve an illegally towed vehicle. Tow companies are liable for property damage sustained due to a non-consensual tow or storage. Tow companies may not patrol for illegally parked cars. Tow companies may not pay or give other benefits to obtain information about cars parked without authorization.

This Concurrent resolution recognizes the Success of the Downtown Development District (“DDD”) Program on the tenth anniversary of its establishment.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes May 9, 2024, as Delaware Local Government Day in the State of Delaware.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution that designates May 11, 2024, as "National Train Day" within the State of Delaware. It directly affects the state's residents by encouraging them to acknowledge and celebrate the historical and ongoing significance of rail transportation. The measure includes background information on the history of railroads in the United States and Delaware, highlighting specific local heritage sites and current services provided by Amtrak and CSX. By passing this resolution, the state legislature formally recognizes the importance of rail networks without imposing any new laws, regulations, or financial obligations.

This Act updates the Clean Indoor Air Act to include the burning of marijuana or the use of marijuana in an electronic smoking device as a prohibited activity in all the same locations where smoking a tobacco product or using an electronic smoking device is prohibited. Further, the Act updates and clarifies some of the definitions used in this chapter. Several of the defined terms are no longer used in the substantive portions of the chapter because they pertained to exceptions to the Clean Indoor Air Act that were legislatively removed. This bill also makes technical changes to conform to the requirements of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. Finally, the exception on smoking prohibitions for vapor establishments is repealed. The exception for tobacco businesses was removed from the Clean Indoor Air Act in 2002, and this repeal will treat the businesses more alike. In addition, the definition of vapor establishment had proved difficult for agencies to understand and implement properly. This Act is effective January 1, 2025.

This bill names the Newark Regional Transportation Center after United States Senator Thomas R. Carper.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the contributions of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. chapters in the State of Delaware and declares May 7, 2024, to be “Delta Day at the Delaware Capital”.