Sen. Dave Lawson

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as "National Fair Housing Month" within the State of Delaware. It directly affects state government officials and encourages public awareness of fair housing issues during that month. The resolution serves as a symbolic recognition rather than creating new laws or regulations. No changes to existing policies or funding are included in this measure.

This Act establishes comprehensive protections and reasonable accommodations for pregnant and parenting students in all Delaware schools receiving state approval and financial assistance. This Act provides the following protections: 1. Mandatory excused absences: Schools must excuse absences for labor, delivery, prenatal and postnatal appointments, and up to 5 days for pregnancy related illness. It also mandates 6 weeks of excused leave following childbirth. It provides coverage for absences related to a child’s illness or legal proceedings involving the child. 2. Physical and environmental accommodations: The Act requires school to provide private and secure lactation rooms as well as physical modifications to learning environments like increased desk sizes, access to elevators or modified transportation schedules. 3. Academic flexibilities: Students are entitled to schedule modifications, including altered course sequences, remote learning options, extensions of time, or rescheduling of examinations. 4. Academic protections: A student may not incur an academic penalty for utilizing these accommodations. Following an absence, the school must allow the student to make up work in a timeframe at least equal to the duration of the absence and the same options make up the work that are provided to other students with standard illnesses 5. Documentation and privacy: Schools are generally prohibited from requiring medical documentation to excuse absences or grant accommodations except where explicitly noted.

This Act clarifies that the existing law, which makes it a Class D felony when a person intentionally causes physical injury to any state employee or officer, when that employee or officer is discharging or attempting to discharge a duty of employment or office, applies to elected officials. This Act provides that it is a Class D felony when the assault of the state employee or officer is related to the person’s official position, whether or not the person assaulted is on or off duty at the time. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 164 officially designates April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month within the State of Delaware. This legislative action serves as a symbolic recognition intended to encourage awareness and focus on child safety initiatives during that specific period.

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes sundown on April 13, 2026, through nightfall on April 14, 2026, as Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. It honors the memory of the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during the Holocaust, recognizes the courage and resilience of Jewish survivors and those who resisted oppression, and urges all residents of Delaware to reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust and stand against Antisemitism, hatred, and intolerance in all forms.

Maddy summaryHCR 109 designates the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Awareness Week throughout the state of Delaware. This legislative measure is a formal recognition intended to highlight the importance of maternal health outcomes for Black women during that specific period. The bill does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change government operations; it serves solely as a symbolic declaration passed by both the House and Senate.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 2026 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month in Delaware. The resolution formally recognizes this month to highlight awareness of Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological condition. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment to encourage public education and support for those affected by the disease. The measure was passed by both the Senate and House without additional legislative requirements.

This Concurrent Resolution designates March 26, 2026, as "Epilepsy Awareness Day" in the State of Delaware and calls upon State agencies and the people of Delaware to undertake suitable efforts to increase epilepsy awareness.

This resolution recognizes April 6, 2026, as "Tartan Day" in the State of Delaware and commemorates the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish-Americans to the United States. When the United States was first formed and the thirteen states selected their first governors, nine were of Scottish ancestry. All the members of the first American cabinet had Scottish ancestry. Delaware's first governor, John McKinly, was born in Northern Ireland of Scottish descent. Americans of Scottish descent have played a vibrant, influential role in the development of this country. However, not until 1997 was this influence recognized by a single-year U.S. Senate. Resolution that appeared in the Congressional Record of April 7, 1997. In 1998 National Tartan Day was officially recognized on a permanent basis when the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 155 recognizing April 6th as National Tartan Day. This was followed by companion bill House Resolution 41, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 9, 2005. President George W. Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation on April 4, 2008 making April 6 National Tartan Day. In April of 2008, then Governor Minner issued a statement celebrating the accomplishments of Scots-Irish Americans in the First State as part of a Scots/Scots-Irish Heritage Month. April 6 commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which asserted Scotland's sovereignty over English territorial claims, and which was a significant influence on the American Declaration of Independence. Canada has been celebrating "National Tartan Day" since 1993. The idea and motivation for creating a similar American holiday was provided by the Scottish Coalition, a group of national Scottish-American cultural organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 30, 2026, as National Doctors' Day in Delaware to honor physicians and surgeons for their contributions to public health. It specifically recognizes the Delaware Chapter of the American College of Surgeons for their life-saving service and dedication to improving healthcare in the state. The measure establishes an official state recognition date but does not create new laws, funding, or operational requirements. It serves as a commemorative resolution rather than a policy change affecting daily operations or regulations.