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Carney signs off on host of legislation in Delaware

Some 155 bills still await governor’s signature

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DOVER — During a busy final week of July, Gov. John Carney traveled up and down the state signing bills, putting the final touches on 23 pieces of legislation, with 155 awaiting his signature.

On July 25, Gov. Carney joined lawmakers and stakeholders in the Mezzanine Gallery at the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington for the signing of all six bills contained in the 2022 Delaware Momnibus, improving maternal and infant healthcare in the state.

Days later, he traveled to the Delaware State Fair in Harrington for the annual Governor’s Day celebration, where he signed Senate Bill 163 into effect, aligning land uses in the state with the U.S. Census Bureau.

The busy week concluded on Friday, as Gov. Carney, joined by Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, among others, gathered at the ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital for the signing of SB 300, which updates reporting requirements to allow Delaware physicians to seek treatment for mental health without fear of loss of medical licensure.

Of the 155 bills awaiting Gov. Carney’s signature, several key pieces of legislation await action.

House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, who has long been a champion of mental health awareness in the First State, has three bills pertaining to the matter ready for signature. Bills that would implement mental health services in middle schools, require coverage for behavioral health checks, and implement mental health educational programs are included in the package.

The Safety and Accountability for Everyone package, sponsored by Sen. Nicole Poore, D-New Castle, also awaits signature. The package of bills addresses issues related to sexual predators in the state, including legislation that expands Delaware’s laws regarding sexual extortion, requires schools to take preventive measures and implement child sexual abuse programs, and requires public school districts and charter schools to create policies regarding inappropriate relationships between their employees, contractors, coaches, and students

Additionally, retiring-Rep. David Bentz’s, D-Christiana, bill that would expand telehealth and telemedicine services from out-of-state providers also awaits Gov. Carney’s final signature.

After a bill is passed by both houses of the General Assembly in Delaware, the governor has three courses of action. Aside from simply requesting the bill for presentation and signing it into effect, the next course of action is to request the bill for presentation but to take no action. Through this method, the bill would become law within 10 days after presentation, though state law requires the legislature to not be adjourned. The third, and rarest course of action for the governor, is to veto the bill, which can be overridden by a three-fifths majority vote from both chambers of the General Assembly.

The process in which these bills are signed is entirely up to the governor, though it is also a collaborative effort with many others, including members of the General Assembly. Emily David Hershman, director of communications for the Office of the Governor, said while the effort is collaborative, Gov. Carney’s legislative priorities help select which bills warrant public ceremonies.

“Many of the bills we hold signing ceremonies for relate to the governor’s priorities — the economy, education, building stronger communities, and fiscal responsibility. Given the volume of bills the General Assembly passes each year, the majority are signed without a ceremony, with priority given to bills that are up against deadlines for implementation,” Ms. Hershman said.

For Delawareans, bill signing ceremonies give Gov. Carney and lawmakers the opportunity to share the work that happens during a legislative session with their constituents, said Ms. Hershman, who added that bills are selected for ceremonies after coordination with stakeholders.

“After legislation is reviewed by the g overnor’s legal team, our office works closely with members of the General Assembly on which bills will be signed through signing ceremonies, and begins coordinating with organizations and community advocates,” Ms. Hershman said.

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