Legislative wrap-up 02/01/19
Anti-abortion bills introduced in House
A Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act – nearly the same as a bill introduced last legislative session – was introduced Jan. 24.
House Bill 52 seeks to protect the life of a child when the potential for the child to survive outside the womb increases. The bill also states that an unborn child at 20 weeks can experience pain and protects the fetus from abortion unless the woman's life is in danger or has the threat of irreversible physical impairement of a major bodily function. However, anyone who intentionally or recklessly performs an abortion in violation of the act would be guilty of a class D felony.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Richard Collins, R-Millsboro, and Sen. Bryant Richardson, R-Seaford. A similar bill introduced last session by Richardson died in Senate committee after no action was taken.
The latest bill has been assigned to the House Health & Human Development Committee.
Also on Jan. 24, Collins introduced a bill that would require a doctor to provide an ultrasound or recording or a fetal heart tone before terminating a pregnancy. House Bill 53, The Woman's Ultrasound Right to Know Act, would make it a misdemeanor for someone to terminate a pregnancy without providing the ultrasound or heart recording. It would also open the person to professional disciplinary action and civil charges.
House Bill 53 is also awaiting action in the House Health & Human Development Committee.
Governor approves loan program for federal workers
A day before the partial federal shutdown ended, Gov. John Carney announced a a state-guaranteed, low-interest loan program to assist federal workers who are going unpaid. Under the program, he said, loans funded by financial institutions would be guaranteed by the Delaware State Housing Authority.
The loans will offer flexible payment terms and optional financial counseling through the $tand by Me program. Loan managers also will help applicants determine eligibility, complete the necessary paperwork, and the amount of the available loan. M&T Bank, in partnership with West End Neighborhood House, has agreed to make loans available statewide under the program.
Although the federal shutdown ended Jan. 25, the Trump adminstration has stated that it may close again Feb. 15 if an agreement on border security is not reached.
