8 bills are ready to be signed into law after passing through the Senate Thursday.

8 bills pass Senate, ready to become Delaware law

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

Eight bills were discussed and passed through the Senate Thursday and are heading to Gov. John Carney’s desk for signature in what is the last week of the legislative session. Here’s what is set to become law: House Bill 65, also sponsored by  Rep. Debra Heffernan, D-Brandywine Hundred South, provides state employees who suffer a miscarriage, stillbirth or other loss, …

A new bill would make technical corrections to Delaware's paid leave program.

Paid leave hasn’t started, but changes already suggested

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Proposed laws shifting who deals with appeals to the state’s new paid leave program, which starts in 2026 drew little comment in Wednesday’s Senate Health and Social Services Committee meeting. Senate Bill 178, sponsored by Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington and committee chair, makes technical changes to private plans under the Family and Medical Leave Program. The new program requires Delaware …

One bill would authorize medical personnel to assist on injured police dogs.

Police dogs, animal shelter bills pass Senate committee

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Furry friends took over the conversation in the Senate Health and Social Services Meeting Wednesday. Senate Bill 117, sponsored by Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, aims to protect and treat police dogs who are injured in the line-of-duty. SB 117 would authorize paramedics and other EMS providers to provide medical care to police dogs who were hurt at the …

A debate on assisted suicide consumed a House committee Tuesday.

Legalizing assisted suicide sparks debate in Dover. Again.

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Moral, ethical and religious opinions were at the heart of a lengthy debate on assisted suicide that had nearly 40 public commentors in the House Health & Human Development Committee Tuesday. House Bill 140, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, permits a terminally ill adult resident of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to end the individual’s life in a …

Two bills relating to reporting animal abuse soared through the Senate.

Senators: Animal abuse laws could prevent other forms of abuse

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Two bills that aim to prevent animal abuse unanimously passed through the Senate floor Tuesday. Senate Bill 71, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, would require law-enforcement agencies, the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families and the Department of Justice to report suspected animal cruelty to the Office of Animal Welfare. The reports would only be required …

The Senate voted to lower the workload for Division of Family Services caseworkers.

Senate votes to ease workload of Family Service workers

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Case workers for the Division of Family Services could soon be getting a reduced workload. The Delaware Senate voted Tuesday to approve a recommendation made by the Child Protection Accountability Commission to drop the number of families that case workers follow from 18 to 12. Senate Bill 33, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, would act on the commission’s …

Leg Hall

General Assembly passes largest bond bill in history

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Wednesday voted to pass the largest bond bill in state history, weighing in at a whopping $1.4 billion.  The House of Representatives passed the spending package unanimously Tuesday afternoon. The bill allocates $1.4 billion toward roadway enhancements, school construction, courthouse expansion, state building renovations, library upgrades, state park improvements and clean water investments. “For the second …

Syrofoam

Senate votes to ban styrofoam to-go boxes, cups

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Thursday passed a bill to effectively ban restaurants from offering single-use plastic straws and styrofoam food and beverage containers.  Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 134, sponsored by Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, also prohibits food establishments from providing customers with plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail picks and sandwich picks. Under the bill, food establishments would only be …

dji 0223 dji 0225 1 scaled 1

Fort DuPont bill raises questions about transparency

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that will put Sen. Nicole Poore on the board of directors of the Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corp. Poore – who represents Delaware City, where Fort DuPont is located – also serves as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements, commonly referred to as the Bond Committee.  The Bond …

a dining room table

3 bills filed to protect students from sexual predators

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Photo/Pixabay In response to recent cases of sexual misconduct by faculty and staff in Delaware schools, state lawmakers filed three bills Monday to keep students safe from sexual predators. A virtual press conference was held Monday where several legislators, Attorney General Kathy Jennings and representatives from the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children spoke about the need for …