HB 381 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 13 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE FAMILY LAW COMMISSION.
Last action — Signed by Governor
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 12, 2022. Enacted.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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10 sponsors
2 primary, 8 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (4 R · 3 D) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Summary
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.
Bill Text
- Bill Text View text Current pdf
Action History
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Signed by Governor
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Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
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Reported Out of Committee (Legislative Oversight & Sunset) in Senate with 3 Favorable
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Assigned to Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee in Senate
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Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
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Reported Out of Committee (Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability)) in House with 5 On Its Merits
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Introduced and Assigned to Sunset Committee (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability) Committee in House
Sponsors
- Kyle Evans Gay · Primary
- Sherry Dorsey Walker · Primary
- Stephanie L. Hansen · Cosponsor
- Brian Pettyjohn · Cosponsor
- Bryant L. Richardson · Cosponsor
- Krista Griffith · Cosponsor
- Kendra Johnson · Cosponsor
- Jeffrey N. Spiegelman · Cosponsor
- Lyndon D. Yearick · Cosponsor
- Sarah McBride · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 52 not signed on
Sponsors (2)
Co-sponsors (8)
- Stephanie L. Hansen Democratic
- Brian Pettyjohn Republican
- Bryant L. Richardson Republican
- Krista Griffith Democratic
- Kendra Johnson Democratic
- Jeffrey N. Spiegelman Republican
- Lyndon D. Yearick Republican
- Sarah McBride
Not signed on (52)
52 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 52 →"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.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (21)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce C. Ennis | — | Yea |
| Colin Bonini | — | Yea |
| Ernesto B Lopez | — | Yea |
| Kyle Evans Gay | — | Yea |
| Sarah McBride | — | Yea |
| Bryan Townsend | Democratic | Yea |
| Darius J. Brown | Democratic | Yea |
| David P. Sokola | Democratic | Yea |
| John "Jack" Walsh | Democratic | Yea |
| Laura V. Sturgeon | Democratic | Yea |
| Marie Pinkney | Democratic | Yea |
| Nicole Poore | Democratic | Yea |
| S. Elizabeth Lockman | Democratic | Yea |
| Spiros Mantzavinos | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephanie L. Hansen | Democratic | Yea |
| Trey Paradee | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Pettyjohn | Republican | Yea |
| Bryant L. Richardson | Republican | Yea |
| Dave G. Lawson | Republican | Yea |
| David L. Wilson | Republican | Yea |
| Gerald W. Hocker | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Democratic | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (41)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 381 do?
- 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.
- Who sponsors HB 381?
- HB 381 is sponsored by Kyle Evans Gay, Sherry Dorsey Walker, Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic), Brian Pettyjohn (Republican), Bryant L. Richardson (Republican), Krista Griffith (Democratic), Kendra Johnson (Democratic), Jeffrey N. Spiegelman (Republican), Lyndon D. Yearick (Republican), and Sarah McBride.
- What is the current status of HB 381?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 12, 2022. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 381?
- Track HB 381 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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