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Committee records support resolutions for four state bills; items to be placed on full council agenda
Summary
The committee reviewed city resolutions supporting four state legislative measures — HB3 (breastfeeding in corrections), HB115 (play-based learning), HB35 (constitutional amendment on death penalty), and SB5 (constitutional amendment on reproductive freedom) — and noted multiple council members asked to be added as cosponsors.
Wilmington City’s Health, Environmental, Aging and Disabilities Committee reviewed a group of resolutions expressing the city’s support for state bills on breastfeeding in corrections, early childhood education, the death penalty, and reproductive freedom. Because these are resolutions of support, the committee noted they do not require a committee vote and will be placed on the city council agenda for consideration.
Council Chair Kobe Owens presented the items and summarized each measure. He said HB3 would “create a breastfeeding and lactation program within the DOC, Department of Corrections, to provide lactation support to women in DOC custody” and would permit collection and transfer of breast milk by an approved person for infants or toddlers. Owens identified Representative Deshauna Neal as the sponsor and said Senator Marie Pickney co-sponsored the bill in Dover.
On HB115, Owens said the measure “permits early learning educators in public schools to use and encourage play based learning in preschool, kindergarten and grades 1 to 3,” and offered the meeting’s definition of play‑based learning as activities that are child‑directed, joyful and spontaneous.
Owens also introduced HB35, described as a proposed amendment to Article I of the Delaware Constitution to prohibit the death penalty, and SB5, an act proposing a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom. He noted the constitutional amendments require approval in two consecutive General Assembly sessions to take effect.
Several committee members asked to be added as cosponsors for individual resolutions; the chair recorded those requests as “duly noted.” During the public comment period, Cheyenne Miller, a Wilmington resident, thanked council members for taking up early resolutions in support of state bills and said early council support helps state legislators know they have backing from city officials.
Because these items are supportive resolutions and not final ordinances, the committee did not take recorded votes. Each resolution will be placed on the next full council meeting agenda for formal consideration and any co‑sponsorship designations.
