child

House Judiciary OKs one child abuse bill, tables another

Sam Haut Government, 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 …

A bill dealing with protection for abortion providers passed the Senate Tuesday.

Allowing abortion workers to mask addresses OK’d by Senate

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Government

The Senate passed bills Tuesday pertaining to confidentiality for abortion providers, minority party representation on an emergency health committee and payouts for employment discrimination. Senate Bill 158, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, focuses on confidentiality rights for medical providers.  The bill allows anyone who is a reproductive health care services provider or employee to apply for participation in …

Booster seats, beer gardens, banking discussed in Senate

Jarek Rutz Headlines, Government

Child booster seats and beer garden workers  had two things in common Thursday: Bills involving each were on the Delaware Senate’s agency, and both passed handily. Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, would require children under 2 years old and under 30 pounds to be seated in a rear-facing seat with a 5-point harness.  Children under …

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

Senate votes to ease workload of Family Service workers

Jarek Rutz Headlines, 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 …

Supreme Court of Delaware

DE Supreme Court explains decision to overturn vote-by-mail

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

In a 69-page decision that cited versions of Delaware constitutions dating back to 1776, the state’s Supreme Court this week explained its ruling overturning mail-in voting and same-day voter registration laws passed by the General Assembly earlier this year.  The state’s highest court in October unanimously ruled the statutes unconstitutional but issued an abbreviated order due to time constraints imposed …

Government Transparency Delaware FOIA

Transparency advocates: Update FOIA for 21st century

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

Government transparency advocates say there’s no reason in 2022 that public information should be as difficult to access as it is in Delaware. “At the root of democracy in Delaware and in the United States is citizens’ access to government information — and not just access, but easy access,” said Charlie Copeland, co-director of the Caesar Rodney Institute’s Center for …

Leg Hall

Senate OKs mail-in voting despite claims it violates Constitution

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

The Delaware Senate on Thursday passed a controversial bill to cement mail-in voting as an option for voters in all future elections. Senate Bill 320, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Ardens, passed 13 to 8 just before midnight with a last-minute amendment from Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover. “While vote by mail is particularly helpful for those who may find …

State Sen. Eric Buckson bills moving too quickly through Assembly

House bill aims to expand abortion protections

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

Democratic lawmakers filed legislation Thursday they say will improve the availability of abortions and protect patients and providers from facing legal action under other states’ abortion laws.  Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle, Rep. Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, and Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Talleyville, announced the legislation in the wake of a leaked draft opinion suggesting the United States Supreme Court may …

a blue car parked in a parking lot

Bill banning use of gender for car insurance rates passes Senate

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

A lengthy and heated debate on the Senate floor Tuesday preceded the passage of a bill that would make it illegal for car insurers in Delaware to use gender as a factor when determining customers’ premiums. Senate Bill 231, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Talleyville, came at the recommendation of State Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro, who said in a …

a blue car parked on the side of a road

Proposed law would have car insurers turn a blind eye to gender

Charles Megginson Government, Headlines

A bill filed in the General Assembly would make it illegal for car insurers in Delaware to use gender as a factor when determining customers’ premiums. Senate Bill 231, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Brandywine Hundred, prohibits the use of gender, gender identity, or sex as a rating factor in personal automobile insurance policies. Gay cited a report from …