HB 381 DE

0likes☆Favorite🔕SubscribeShare

Became Law

Delaware’s modern-day, statewide Family Court was established in 1971, unifying what had been multiple family law-related court systems throughout the state. In 1984, the Family Law Commission (“FLC”) was created to study and evaluate Delaware’s domestic relations, or family, laws and the Family Court’s rules and procedures; review legislation relating to family law and the Family Court; disseminate family law-related information to Delawareans; and engage in other related activities that it deemed appropriate. From its inception, FLC’s mandate and authority has been focused, limited to conducting public hearings, inviting written comments from the public, reviewing and commenting on family law-related legislation, and publishing information for the public. For many years, FLC served an important role in the progress and improvement of Family Court. Thirty-eight years after its creation, however, FLC is no longer serving a public need. Family Court celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021; countless changes and improvements have been made to Family Court’s rules and procedures, as well as Delaware’s domestic relations laws. FLC, however, remains tasked with the same, limited duties as it first was tasked in 1984. This Act fulfills the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee’s conclusion after a thorough review that FLC should be terminated. FLC’s role in the progress of the modern-day Family Court cannot be diminished, and it is a testament to its previous success that it is no longer needed to ensure a working Family Court in the State of Delaware.

• Sherry Dorsey Walker · primary
• Kyle Evans Gay · primary

1. Apr 12, 2022 Introduced and Assigned to Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability) Committee in House · lower
2. May 3, 2022 Reported Out of Committee (Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)) in House with 5 On Its Merits · lower
3. Jun 9, 2022 Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT · lower
4. Jun 9, 2022 Assigned to Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee in Senate · upper
5. Jun 14, 2022 Reported Out of Committee (Legislative Oversight & Sunset) in Senate with 3 Favorable · upper
6. Jun 29, 2022 Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES · upper
7. Oct 14, 2022 Signed by Governor · executive