Delaware 151st General Assembly (2021-2022) Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 3 R · 2 D cosponsors

HB 351 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 11 AND 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR CANDIDATES FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Last action — Introduced and Assigned to 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 151st General Assembly (2021-2022). 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis.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 requires candidates for either House of the General Assembly to obtain a criminal history background check to ensure that they have not been convicted of or plead guilty to any crime that, per the Delaware state constitution, disqualifies them from holding said office. The results of the background check are provided to the Commissioner of the Department of Elections who has the duty to review the results and ensure that individuals are qualified under § 21, Article II of the Delaware Constitution before the individual may be considered a candidate for election to either House of the General Assembly. The Act makes any and all information revealed by the background check obtained by the Commissioner of Elections confidential and not a public record. The cost of the criminal history background check is the responsibility of the candidate and may be paid from campaign funds.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 52 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (8)

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 elections
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 351 do?
This Act requires candidates for either House of the General Assembly to obtain a criminal history background check to ensure that they have not been convicted of or plead guilty to any crime that, per the Delaware state constitution, disqualifies them from holding said office. The results of the background check are provided to the Commissioner of the Department of Elections who has the duty to review the results and ensure that individuals are qualified under § 21, Article II of the Delaware Constitution before the individual may be considered a candidate for election to either House of the General Assembly. The Act makes any and all information revealed by the background check obtained by the Commissioner of Elections confidential and not a public record. The cost of the criminal history background check is the responsibility of the candidate and may be paid from campaign funds.
Who sponsors HB 351?
HB 351 is sponsored by Kyle Evans Gay, Eric Morrison (Democratic), Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic), David L. Wilson (Republican), Michael F. Smith (Republican), Lyndon D. Yearick (Republican), Ruth Briggs King, Michael Ramone, John A. Kowalko, and Paul S. Baumbach.
What is the current status of HB 351?
This bill died with 151st General Assembly (2021-2022). 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 351?
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