Legislative Wrap Up
Bill that protects dogs introduced
Rep. Charles Potter, D-Wilmington North, introduced a bill Dec. 15 that would prohibit dogs from being classified as potentially dangerous or dangerous for animal-control enforcement or criminal liability purposes based solely on breed-specific criteria.
House Bill 13 would also bar municipalities from enacting breed-specific ordinances or regulations. The bill has been assigned to the House Health and Human Development Committee.
Bill requires motorcycle helmet use
Rep. Sean Lynn, D-Dover, introduced a bill Dec. 15 that mandates helmet use for every person who operates or rides a motorcycle in Delaware. Current law says every adult operating or riding a motorcycle is required to have a helmet in his or her possession, and those under the age of 19 must wear one.
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia currently require all motorcyclists to wear a helmet. House Bill 14 has been assigned to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
Bill introduced to repeal estate tax
A bill introduced Dec. 15 by Rep. Michael Ramone, R-Middle Run Valley, and sponsored by Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, would sunset Delaware’s Estate Tax at the end of the year – Dec. 31, 2017. The tax, which applies to estates valued at more than $5.12 million, was adopted in 2009. House Bill 16 been assigned to the House Revenue and Finance Committee.
Bill increases age of minimum attendance
Rep. Tim Dukes, R-Laurel, introduced a bill Dec. 15 that would increase the minimum age of mandatory school attendance from 16 to 17. House Bill 17 has been assigned to the House Education Committee.
Bills seeks to reduce dropout rate
Rep. Sean Matthews, D-Talleyville, filed a pair of bills Jan. 5 designed to help schools identify students at risk of dropping out earlier and help connect students with available services.
House Bill 23 would require students seeking to drop out of school participate in an exit interview with a school-based team in which alternatives or additional support are discussed.
House Bill 24 would require that schools schedule conferences with parents or guardians after five unexcused absences to perform an informal needs assessment to determine what services in the school or community might help improve the student’s attendance. Under current law, parents or guardians aren’t notified until after 10 unexcused absences.
HB 23 and 24 have been assigned to the House Education Committee. The General Assembly returned to session Jan. 10.
Bill bans transplant discrimination
Rep. Debra Heffernan, D-Brandywine Hundred, introduced a bill Jan. 5 that would prevent Delawareans with mental or physical disabilities from being denied organ transplants on the sole basis of a disability.
Transplant centers currently consider a variety of medical and psychosocial criteria when evaluating organ transplant candidates.
House Bill 21 would prevent discrimination and protect Delawareans with disabilities so they would not be deprived of transplant services or referrals, nor would they be barred from an organ transplant waiting list.
The bill would not require referrals, recommendations or performance of transplants that are deemed medically inappropriate.
Senate Majority Whip Nicole Poore, D-New Castle, will sponsor the bill in the Senate.
HB 21 has been assigned to the House Health and Human Development Committee. The General Assembly returned to session Jan. 10.
