Posts Tagged ‘delaware general assembly’
New Del. Law Would Enhanced Penalties For Assault Against Healthcare Workers
Violence against more healthcare workers in Delaware would be a felony offense under legislation given final approval in the State Senate.Delaware Code already classifies assault against people in various professions as a second-degree crime, including physicians, nurses and EMT’s. However, it did not include numerous other employees in a health system who have close contact…
Read MoreDel. Constitutional Amendment To End June 30th All-Nighter Moves Forward
Delaware’s annual tradition of meeting at all hours of the night on the final day of the General Assembly session is a step closer to becoming a part of First State history.The Delaware State Senate has passed legislation to amend the state Constitution to end the requirement that the General Assembly stay in session until…
Read MoreDel. Abortion Rights Protections Strengthened Under House-Passed Bill, Say Sponsors
The House of Representatives has approved a bill that its sponsor said would improve availability of safe and accessible reproductive healthcare services, while protecting patients and providers from facing legal action under abortion laws in other states. House Bill 455 passed with 24 yes votes, 13 no Tuesday. Four representatives were absent. “As a nurse,…
Read MoreDel. General Assembly Passes Age Restriction For Buying Most Firearms, Adjusting Background Check Program
A bill to increase the legal age for buying most firearms in Delaware from 18 to 21 has passed in the House of Representatives.Currently, state law mirrors federal law which does allow someone who is 18 to purchase long guns, including rifles and shotguns. Someone must be 21 to purchase a handgun. “We already prohibit…
Read MoreDE Climate Change Measure Passed in State Senate
Legislation regarding climate change (SB 305) has been passed in the Delaware State Senate by a 13 to 6 vote. This measure will adopt a comprehensive approach to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in Delaware by not less than 50% by 2030. According to the legislation, the Governor and DNREC will update the Climate Action…
Read MoreDel. Legislation Seeks To ban Single-Use Plastic Coffee Stirrers, Polystyrene Containers At Restaurants
Delaware restaurants would be prohibited from serving ready-to-eat food in polystyrene containers, under legislation that has been approved in the State Senate. Polystyrene is best known as Styrofoam. The bill, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 134, would also require restaurants to only provide single-use plastic straws if requested by a customer, and single-use plastic…
Read MoreDel. House Passes Bill That Restricts “Assault-Style” Weapons
The Delaware House of Representatives voted 22-19 Thursday in favor of legislation that would, according to its sponsors, effectively prohibit the buying, selling, and possession of assault-style weapons. Such weapons would be legally defined and would include the AK-47, AR-15, UZI and similar firearms. The legislation, House Bill 450, would “grandfather” existing weapons and protect…
Read MoreDoes Del. Bill Intend To Usurp Parental Oversight?
Same-Day Voter Registration Bill Approved By Del. House
Legislation that would allow same day registration in Delaware has cleared the State House of Representatives.House Bill 25(s) would do away with the current deadline to register to vote, which is almost a month before elections (the fourth Saturday before Election Day).The voter would be required to show a valid and current government-issued photo or…
Read MoreGov. Carney’s Veto Of Recreational Marijuana Bill Stands
A move to override Governor John Carney’s veto of legislation that would have removed any penalties for adults in Delaware who possess one ounce or less of marijuana falls short in the House of Representatives.The vote was 20 in favor an override, 20 against, and one ‘not voting.’ A three-fifths majority, or 25, would have…
Read MoreDel. Legislation Touted As Strengthening Abortion Rights Protections
New legislation in the Delaware General Assembly would make ‘safe and accessible reproductive healthcare services’ more widely available, according to its sponsors.The measure includes protections for providers and out-of-state residents who seek or receive reproductive health care services such as an abortion in The First State. Matters such as medical privacy, limitations on extradition to…
Read MoreDel. School Bus Drivers May Get More Pay
Delaware school bus drivers and related school transportation programs will likely get a boost.The Delaware General Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee has voted to allocate $11.7-million to fund an increased minimum hourly rate for bus drivers. A few million more dollars would go toward administrative expenses and increasing the basic maintenance allowance.The recommendations came from the…
Read MoreDel. Budget-Writers Boost Rates For Direct Service Professionals
Direct support professionals who serve Delawareans with intellectual and developmental disabilities would be paid more starting in the new fiscal year.The Joint Finance Committee has voted to increase state funding by $16.5-million, which would result in the federal government providing an additional $27.5-million in matching funds. The appropriation in the operating budget would allow the…
Read MoreDel. Budget-Writers Restore $500 Senior Tax Credit
Raises Approved For Del. State Employees, Retirees
Members of the Delaware General Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee have approved pay increases for state workers and retirees.State employees on the lower end of the pay scale could receive raises of up to 9%. Raises are at least 2.3%. Education employees would receive a 2% increase.Also, state pensioners would receive an increase of 2-to-3%, depending…
Read MoreDel. State Senate Advances Protections For Manufactured Home Community Residents
Delawareans who live in manufactured housing communities would get new legal protections, under legislation (Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 9) that has passed the State Senate.One part of the measure would close a loophole that allows owners of manufactured home communities to increase rents, even when they refuse to address outstanding health or safety…
Read More2nd Del. Recreational Cannabis Bill Stalls In House
Legislation to set up the regulatory and operations framework for legalized sales of marijuana in Delaware failed to pass in the House of Representatives. It is the second of two bills that are designed to clear the way for legalized recreational use of marijuana by adults.The measure (House Bill 372) requires a three-fifths vote of…
Read MoreDel. Bill Seeks To Set Standards Of Care At Recovery Houses
New Delaware legislation seeks to set a standard of care for recovery houses… places people turn to for treatment for substance use disorder.The bill (HB 421) would codify standards for recovery houses to be designated ‘certified.’ Non-certified recovery houses would be able to continue to operate, but would be subject to restrictions in getting state…
Read MoreDel. State Senate Advances Marijuana Legalization Bill
The Delaware State Senate has passed legislation that removes any penalties for adults who possess small amounts of marijuana, giving the bill final legislative approval and sending it to Governor John Carney for his consideration. The vote on House Bill 371 came one week after approval from the House of Representatives. It would take away…
Read MoreDel. Takes Step Toward Creating Inspector General Position & Office
Del. Legislation Seeks To Better Protect Students From Sexual Predators
New Delaware legislation seeks to better protect school students from sexual predators.The measure is an expansion of an existing law that requires all publicly funded schools to train employees and educate students about personal safety, sexual abuse, an dhow to maintain appropriate interactions between children and volunteers. “Our communities rightfully expect the schools of this…
Read MoreHB 411 Would Amend the DE Constitution to End General Assembly’s Annual Late Night Finale
Lawmakers have filed a bipartisan measure that would effectively end the mandatory tradition of extending legislative business past midnight on the final day of session each year. The Delaware Constitution spells out that the regular session of the General Assembly begins each calendar year on the second Tuesday in January and closes on the last…
Read MoreDel. Senators Pass New Phase Of Bail Reform
People charged with certain offenses would not be eligible for bail, under a bill (SS 1 for SB 11) approved in the Delaware State Senate Thursday.The first leg of a proposed constitutional amendment would allow the General Assembly to add crimes and circumstances where preventative detention would protect public safety.Currently, courts are permitted to hold…
Read MoreDel. House Votes 26-14 To Advance Recreational Marijuana Bill (Part 1)
Legislation to remove all penalties for an adult who possesses less than one ounce of marijuana has been approved in the Delaware House of Representatives. The vote was 26-14 in favor of House Bill 371. The bill now goes to the State Senate. It is part of a two-pronged effort to legalize and regulate recreational…
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