Delaware 149th General Assembly (2017-2018) Status: In Committee 5 D cosponsors

HB 72 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

Last action — Introduced and Assigned to House Administration Committee in House

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 149th General Assembly (2017-2018). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

This Act would remove the broad exemption that the University of Delaware and Delaware State University currently receive under the state Freedom of Information Act. In recognition of the sensitive nature of some records held by public universities, this Act would also add some specific exemptions for public universities. Specifically, confidential letters or statements related to admission, employment or honors would not be a public record for purposes of FOIA. Universities would not be required to disclose scholarly research or information related thereto where such information is of a proprietary nature. Finally, certain information related to fundraising activities would be protected from disclosure. Delaware’s FOIA, as currently written, already exempts personally identifiable student information protected by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Introduced and Assigned to House Administration Committee in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 52 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (52)

52 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 72 do?
This Act would remove the broad exemption that the University of Delaware and Delaware State University currently receive under the state Freedom of Information Act. In recognition of the sensitive nature of some records held by public universities, this Act would also add some specific exemptions for public universities. Specifically, confidential letters or statements related to admission, employment or honors would not be a public record for purposes of FOIA. Universities would not be required to disclose scholarly research or information related thereto where such information is of a proprietary nature. Finally, certain information related to fundraising activities would be protected from disclosure. Delaware’s FOIA, as currently written, already exempts personally identifiable student information protected by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Who sponsors HB 72?
HB 72 is sponsored by Sean M. Lynn (Democratic), Edward S. Osienski (Democratic), Trey Paradee (Democratic), Kimberly Williams (Democratic), John "Jack" Walsh (Democratic), Helene M. Keeley, Earl G. Jaques Jr., Paul S. Baumbach, Charles Potter Jr., and John A. Kowalko.
What is the current status of HB 72?
This bill died with 149th General Assembly (2017-2018). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 72?
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