child abuse

3 bills addressing child abuse issues pass House

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Three bills that change Delaware law as it relates to child abuse passed the House, with some sparking more contention than others. House Bill 182, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Fairfax, would change child abuse in the third, second and first degree to child abuse in the fourth, third and second degree respectively; and changes the new third degree child …

medical debt

Bill to curb aggressive medical debt collection goes to House

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill that seeks to stop aggressive tactics for collecting medical debt easily passed the House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee meeting Tuesday. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos, D-Elsmere, would forbid a medical creditor or medical debt collector from arresting someone, forcing someone into court for being in contempt, foreclosing on someone’s property …

lgbtq

Spiegelman talks Nazis in opposing LGBTQ panic defense bill

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill that would ban the use of the LGBTQ panic defense in Delaware courts passed the state House Thursday,  but not before one representative brought up Jews and Nazi Germany. House Substitute 2 for House Bill 142, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, would not permit a defendant to claim they reacted violently when they realized that someone else …

child

House Judiciary OKs one child abuse bill, tables another

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday discussed in detail two bills that look to change how Delaware handles child abuse cases. One was passed; the other tabled. Senate Bill 124, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, would clarify that people have to orally report cases of child abuse, neglect or trafficking to the Department of Services for Children, Youth …

RDNE Stock project, panic defense

House committee approves LGBTQ panic defense ban

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

It’s called the gay panic defense: Someone reacts with force or violence when he or she realizes that another person is of a certain sexual orientation or gender identity. Delaware legislators are moving to eliminate that as a defense in Delaware courts.  The House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 142,  sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, to eliminate the move …

Logan Weaver, gun permit bill

Legislators called traitors, lawbreakers in gun permit debate

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

More than 35 people, including National Rifle Association members, shooting survivors, libertarians and gun violence activists spoke passionately about a proposed handgun permitting bill Wednesday. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth Lockman, D-Wilmington, would require a person to acquire a permit before they can purchase a handgun, but exempting active or retired police …

Taxes

Bill to give low-wage workers lower taxes moves on

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A House finance committee released a bill that ultimately will allow low-wage earners to keep more of their money, a move that will cost the state 10s of millions every year. House Bill 89, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, would do three things: Increase the amount of refunded tax from 4.5% to 7.5% for low-wage earners who meet the …

Neal

Atheist Day resolution fails in Delaware House

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A resolution to declare March 23 National Atheist Day failed in the Delaware House, 11 to 26, with two absent and two not voting. The resolution was sponsored in the House by Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow. “Today, atheists in America are often looked down upon and expected to remain silent regarding our beliefs,” Morrison told the House. “Many atheists are …

Osienski marijuana

Marijuana legalization bill passes House, sent to Senate

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware House of Representatives on Tuesday once again sent a bill to legalize the use of marijuana in the First State to the Senate, this time on a 28 to 13 vote. House Bill 1 is sponsored yet again by Rep. Edward Osienski, D-Newark, who managed to get a similar bill passed last year, only to see it vetoed …

Jewish leaders condemn Morrison post, ask to talk about Israeli attacks

Betsy PriceGovernment & Politics, Headlines

Rep. Eric Morrison’s May 16 post on Facebook.   Two state representatives are among 15 Delaware Jewish leaders who have taken another Delaware state representative to task for what they describe as “hurtful and inflammatory” language describing Jewish attacks in Gaza as “ethnic cleansing.” In a May 21 open letter to Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, the 10 rabbis and five …