SB 239 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEARING OFFICERS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

Walsh DELAWARE& STATERep. SENATE 152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE AMENDMENT NO.

1Osienski TORep. SENATE BILL NO.

239Heffernan AMENDDELAWARE SenateSTATE BillSENATE No.152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL NO.

239 byAN deletingACT linesTO 39AMEND throughTITLE 4419 inOF theirTHE entiretyDELAWARE andCODE insertingRELATING inTO lieuHEARING thereofOFFICERS theWITHIN following:THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

“(d)BE TheIT removalENACTED ofBY aTHE hearingGENERAL officerASSEMBLY byOF theTHE SecretarySTATE ofOF Labor,DELAWARE: after consultation with the Chairperson of the Board, during the term of appointment may be made for just cause.

Section 1.

Amend Chapter 23, Title 19 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 2301.

Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(14) “Hearing officer” means a hearing officer appointed pursuant to § 2301B of this title.

§ 2301B.

Hearing officers.

(a) There is hereby created within the Department of Labor the full-time position of hearing officer.

With respect to cases arising under Part II of this title, the hearing officers shall have:

have the following:

(1) All powers and duties conferred or imposed upon such hearing officers by law or by the Rules of Procedure for the Industrial Accident Board;

Board.

(2) The power to administer oaths and affirmations;

affirmations.

(3) The power, with consent of the parties, to hear and determine any prehearing matter pending before the Board.

In such circumstances, the hearing officer’s decision has the same authority as a decision of the Board and is subject to judicial review on the same basis as a decision of the Board;

Board.

(4) The power, with consent of the parties, to conduct hearings, including any evidentiary hearings required by Part II of this title, and to issue a final decision determining the outcome of such hearings.

In such circumstances, the hearing officer’s decision has the same authority as a decision of the Board and is subject to judicial review on the same basis as a decision of the Board;

Board.

(5) The hearing officer shall have the responsibility for advising the Board regarding legal issues and writing the Board’s decision with respect to any hearing conducted by the Board at which such hearing officer has been assigned by the Department.

The hearing officer shall not participate in the deliberations of the Board with respect to the determination of matters before the Board or vote on any matter to be decided by the Board, but may be present during such deliberations for the purpose of providing legal advice;

advice.

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03/13/2024 12:37 PM (6) With respect to any matter to which they are assigned responsibility in accordance with Part II of this title, the same authority as the Board would have to conduct or dispose of such matter in accordance with Part II of this title and the Board’s Rules of Procedure.

In such circumstances, any reference in Part II of this title or the Board’s Rules of Procedure to the Board shall also refer to the hearing officer when such hearing officer is assigned responsibility in accordance with Part II of this title.

(b) Hearing officers shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor and shall serve for a term of 5 years;

provided however, that the initial hearing officers may be appointed to terms shorter than 5 years, but not less than 3 years, to ensure staggered term expirations.

Labor.

Appointees shall be residents of the State, shall be duly admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of this State State, and shall may not engage in the practice of law nor or any business, occupation occupation, or employment inconsistent with the expeditious, proper proper, and impartial performance of their duties.

The number of hearing officers from 1 major political party shall not exceed a majority of 1.

Individuals appointed as hearing officers under this section shall take the oath or affirmation prescribed by article XIV, § 1 of the Delaware Constitution before they enter upon the duties of their office.