The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.
The Voluntary Assessment Center was created by legislative action in 1976 (60 Del. Laws Section 509) to allow recipients of minor traffic violations to pay the fine and costs associated with the violation without the need to appear in the Justice of the Peace Court. Section 709 (i) advises that "Payment of the prescribed fine, costs, and penalty assessment is an admission of guilt, a waiver of the right to a…
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The Voluntary Assessment Center was created by legislative action in 1976 (60 Del. Laws Section 509) to allow recipients of minor traffic violations to pay the fine and costs associated with the violation without the need to appear in the Justice of the Peace Court. Section 709 (i) advises that "Payment of the prescribed fine, costs, and penalty assessment is an admission of guilt, a waiver of the right to a hearing, and a complete satisfaction of the violation." Upon payment, the Court can consider the matter closed and advise the Division of Motor Vehicles of the violation for the Division's recordance purposes. Formerly, those who were unable to pay the fine in one payment were required instead to submit to a court date (which engendered additional court costs) if only to request a payment plan - a practice that seemed patently unfair. Accordingly, in 2012, the Court established a process where the Voluntary Assessment Center could accept payment of fines incrementally. Although more equitable, this new process caused unforeseen consequences. Because the current definition of payment is the total amount due, if a person makes a partial payment but does not completely pay the balance of the fine, the Court cannot consider the matter closed. The Division is not made aware of the violation and the case remains in administrative limbo. Currently, no capiases or warrants are issued for unpaid Voluntary Assessments. Instead, the Division places a flag on an individual's license and registration. It is usually only years later when an individual goes to renew their license that they respond to the Court to complete payment. Redefining payment in the definition of this section will further streamline the Court's administrative process of maintaining the record and will report to the Division the associated data in a timely manner.
Every action
7 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.
CommitteeIntroduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate · Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation
CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 7 On Its Merits · Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation
SenatePassed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT20–0 vote
CommitteeAssigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House · House Public Safety & Homeland Security
CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 8 On Its Merits · House Public Safety & Homeland Security
HousePassed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
GovernorSigned by Governor
Roll calls
2 recorded votes: 2 on the floor, 0 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT · Full Senate