Signed by Governor John Carney, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates funds for the fiscal year 2021 operational budget.

Highlights:

• Authorizes selective market variations to the uniform pay plan structure for job classes that are key to the performance of state functions (Sec. 8).

• Requires the salaries of employees assigned to job classifications approved under the Selective Market Variation program, to be adjusted in accordance with the following (Sec. 8):

• The salary of employees in positions added to the Selective Market program whose salary is in effect as of the last day of the last full pay cycle, will be adjusted to the minimum salary or given a 5 percent increase whichever is greater or an advanced starting salary recommended by the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources; and

• The salary of employees in positions added to the Selective Market Variation program on or before the last day of the last full pay cycle of the previous fiscal year, whose salary in effect as of the last day of the last full pay cycle of the previous fiscal year, is below the adjusted minimum salary for the assigned job classification shall be increased to the adjusted minimum salary or an advanced starting salary recommended by the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources.

• Specifies that all classes assigned to selective market variation will have their selective market variation pay ranges remain the same as Fiscal Year 2020 amounts (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that statutory step increases for eligible direct educators and staff, and Department of Education employees, will be suspended for Fiscal Year 2021 (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that negotiated, collective bargaining increases for uniformed members of the Delaware State Police will be suspended and salaries will remain the same as Fiscal Year 2020 amounts (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that any such salary increases agreed upon through collective bargaining agreements under 19 Del. C. § 1311A or 19 Del. C. c. 16 will be suspended for Fiscal Year 2021 and salaries will remain the same as Fiscal Year 2020 amounts (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes the funds within the Reserve Account for Children Services Cost Recovery Project Disallowances to be available to mitigate projected deficits in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) supported programs within the Department of Health and Social Services (Sec. 53).

• Specifies that it is the intent of the General Assembly to include a post-retirement increase for beneficiaries of the State Employee’s Pension Plan, the Judicial Pension Plan, and the New State Police Pension Plan, including a post-retirement increase that addresses the erosion of pension benefits for the longest-serving retirees (Sec. 77).

• Establishes the Criminal Justice Improvement Committee to suggest efficiencies, improvements, and cost savings to the criminal justice system (Sec. 93).

• Appropriates funding to the Department of Health and Social Services for a Home and Community-Based Services Ombudsman (Sec. 128).

• Appropriates funding to the Department of Health and Social Services for the Birth to 3 program (Sec. 130).

• Authorizes the Department of Health and Social Services to contract with a cooperative multi-state purchasing contract alliance for the procurement of pharmaceutical products, services, and allied supplies (Sec. 135).

• Requires the Division of Medicaid and medical Assistance to establish a drug rebate process for any prescription benefits provided to clients enrolled in various non-Medicaid programs (Sec. 137).

• Authorizes the Department of Education, school districts, and charter schools to allow at their discretion annual leave accrued through June 30, 2020 in excess of 42 days to be carried forward for up to 6 months beginning July 1, 2020 (Sec. 362).

Full Bill Text