Delaware House Bill HB430

Delaware 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/6/24
• Engrossed: 6/20/24
• Refer: 6/6/24
• Enrolled: 6/27/24
• Refer: 6/20/24

Caption

An Act Proposing Amendments To The Delaware Constitution Relating To Technical Corrections.

Impact

By adopting these amendments, House Bill 430 aims to enhance the clarity and accessibility of the Constitution. It seeks to correct historical formatting issues, such as unauthorized headings and inconsistent use of language and punctuation. Moreover, the bill establishes a consistent framework and reference scheme that will govern how the Constitution is interpreted and utilized. This is expected to streamline both legal understanding and legislative processes, making it easier for both officials and the public to navigate the law.

Summary

House Bill 430 proposes several amendments to the Delaware Constitution aimed at implementing technical corrections, with a significant focus on gender neutrality in legislative language. The bill seeks to eliminate gendered pronouns, ensuring that the Constitution reflects a more inclusive language that does not specify masculine or feminine designations. This approach to drafting laws aims not only for clarity but also aligns with established legislative standards that have been put into practice since prior amendments in recent years.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 430 is largely supportive, with legislators recognizing the importance of updating the Constitution to reflect contemporary societal values around inclusivity and clarity in language. However, there may be some concern regarding potential resistance from those who feel that such changes might complicate established legal interpretations. Overall, the atmosphere is one of progress, with a common agreement on the necessity of modernization.

Contention

While there are no major points of contention regarding the bill, some discussions focus on ensuring that the changes do not alter the intended meaning of existing laws. Furthermore, the requirement of a two-thirds majority for constitutional amendments ensures that these changes will face stringent scrutiny before implementation. The emphasis on both clarity and consistency is echoed throughout discussions related to the bill, highlighting the delicate balance between modernization and preservation of intent.