SB 256

  • Delaware Senate Bill
  • 152nd General Assembly (2023-2024)
  • Introduced in Senate Jun 12, 2024
  • Passed Senate Jun 11, 2024
  • Passed House Jun 26, 2024
  • Signed by Governor Sep 26, 2024

An Act To Amend Titles 6 And 29 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Consumer Protection.

Abstract

This Act clarifies the Attorney General’s existing authority to enforce the State’s consumer protection laws, specifically the Attorney General’s ability to pursue non-penalty civil remedies, such as damages and restitution, without having to show that a person’s violation of a law or regulation enforced by the Department of Justice’s Division of Consumer Protection was wilful. This Act does not change the requirement that the Attorney General show that such a violation was wilful in order to obtain civil penalties from a court or hearing officer. Every other state that has a similar state of mind requirement in their consumer fraud law does not impose that state of mind requirement for non-penalty civil remedies. By harmonizing the language in the Consumer Fraud Act (Subchapter II, Chapter 25, Title 6 of the Code) and the Division of Consumer Protection’s enabling statute (Subchapter II, Chapter 25, Title 29 of the Code), this Act clarifies that Delaware is line with the other states. This Act also strikes outdated language in the Consumer Fraud Act requiring cases to be filed in specific counties, as the Superior Court and the Court of Chancery have both eliminated their historical county filing requirement. Additionally, this Act fixes inconsistencies with the Summary Cease and Desist Order process, by clarifying that an alleged violator must request a hearing in order to trigger the Division of Consumer Protection’s obligation to hold a hearing. This Act further clarifies the Summary Cease and Desist Order process, such as by making explicit the alleged violator’s right to postpone a hearing and final order, changing the various 10 day requirements to 15 business days, and removing the requirement for a complaint to accompany the original summary cease and desist order.

Bill Sponsors (9)

Votes


Jun 26, 2024

Jun 11, 2024

Actions


Sep 26, 2024

Office of the Governor

Signed by Governor

Jun 26, 2024

House

Passed By House. Votes: 37 YES 4 ABSENT

Jun 18, 2024

House

Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 7 On Its Merits

  • Committee-Passage
Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce

Jun 12, 2024

House

Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House

  • Introduction
  • Referral-Committee
Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce

Jun 11, 2024

Senate

Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

Senate

Amendment SA 1 to SB 256 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

Senate

Amendment SA 1 to SB 256 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

Apr 17, 2024

Senate

Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits

  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
Judiciary

Mar 21, 2024

Senate

Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate

  • Introduction
  • Referral-Committee
Judiciary

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
Bill Text PDF HTML
SA 1 to SB 256 HTML PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
No related documents.

Sources

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