Senate approves bill letting school constables assist with traffic and drop-off duties

The Delaware Senate on March 26 passed House Bill 22, which amends Titles 21 and 24 of the Delaware Code to permit constables to provide additional public-safety support to schools, including assistance with pick-up and drop-off and traffic control. The bill was presented on the floor as a response to the removal of a crossing guard at Brandywine Springs School in New Castle County.

Senator Mancevinos, who brought the bill forward, said the proposal "provides changes that would enable constables to provide additional public safety support to employers such as schools" and that sponsors worked with the Delaware State Police, the Department of Education and the Red Clay School District in drafting the language. The sponsor said the bill grew out of concerns at a K–8 school on Duncan Road near Faulkner Road where traffic during pick-up and drop-off created safety worries.

During floor discussion senators asked whether the constables covered by the bill are armed and how the proposal relates to school resource officers. Senator Mancevinos said the bill covers "school constables" and that the sponsor believed some constables are armed while others are not; he said he would confirm details later and noted the board of constables had reviewed the legislation. Senator Lawson and others clarified that school resource officers (SROs) are a different category from the constables addressed in the bill. Several senators asked to be added as sponsors during consideration.

Roll call recorded the required majority and House Bill 22 was declared passed to the Senate.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 22 — Passed (roll call recorded).