victims

Victims’ Rights task force to hear updating, funding ideas

Katie KazimirGovernment, Headlines

A task evaluating the Delaware’s Victims’ Bill of Rights for the first time since it was established in 1992 will hear recommendations about how to improve it Monday, Feb. 12. The current document is an unwieldy, jumbled mess because of all the hands that have been in the code since then, said Scott Goss, communications director for the Senate Democrats. …

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 …

woman

Changing ‘woman’ to ‘person’ doesn’t stop maternity bill

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Republicans and Democrats went back and forth in arguing about the definition of woman in a maternity health bill, but all agreed on the need to raise awareness about human trafficking. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 106, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Gay, D-Elsmere, would replace the words “woman” and “women” with “person” and “people” in the Delaware code on …

Ed Harvey, Republicans on EV

Republicans point out high costs, chance of fire in EV debate

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Republicans led a charge Thursday to derail a bill that requires new homes and multi-family dwellings to be wired for electric vehicles, a move that Democrats say will help ensure the sale of more cars and help the environment. They failed. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 103, sponsored by Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, would require all new single family …

Ethan Hooson, road safety

Senate committee gives road safety bills a green light

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A package of road safety bills are, well, moving on down the road. Four of the six proposed by Gov. John Carney and various Democrats puttered through the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee Wednesday with little opposition. All four bills have support from both Democrats and Republicans. House Bill 92, sponsored by Rep. Bill Carson, D-Smyrna, would require drivers …

rescue dog

Rescue dog on its way to be named official state animal

Betsy PriceGovernment & Politics, Headlines

The Delaware General Assembly did not go to the dogs Wednesday. The dogs came to them. Four lucky pooches who were up for adoption or had been adopted from shelters sat through part of a Senate hearing and then part of a Senate Session as Senate Bill 37, which would make the rescue dog the official state animal, passed in …

Gunz

Resolution declares gun violence a public health emergency 

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A joint resolution to declare gun violence a public health emergency passed along party lines in the Delaware House and Senate Tuesday. In a House voice vote for Senate Concurrent Resolution 12, there was an audible opposition from the Republican side of the aisle. In the Senate it passed 14 to six,.. Introduced by Sen. Marie Pinkney, D-Bear, today, March …

Child care 6

Kent, Sussex child care centers may get higher Del. payments

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill that would force the state to pay Kent and Sussex County child care programs the same fees that it pays New Castle ones seems headed to the Senate floor. No one spoke against Senate Bill 59, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, when it came up Wednesday in the Senate Health & Social Services Committee. Gay said …

Senate bills and votes

Senate sends gun, abortion bills to Carney

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s Democrat-majority Senate on Tuesday sent several controversial bills to Gov. John Carney for his signature. Most of the topics seemed ripped from headlines. The gun bill would bar anyone under 21 from buying or owning a gun, as well as controlling a firearm or ammunition. The abortion bill will increase the number of health professionals who can perform an …

Democrats and Republicans plan to attack voting changes differently

Same-day voter registration bill heads to Carney

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Wednesday voted along party lines for a same-day voter registration bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 25, sponsored by Rep. Sherry Dorsey-Walker, D-Wilmington, will allow residents to register at the polls on election day and immediately vote. The bill already passed the House and now goes to Gov. John Carney for his signature. When he …