Delaware courts would not charge three fees; one awaits funding

After the funding and notice conditions are met, courts would not assess the listed court security fee. The listed fee concerns initial civil filings and covered criminal, traffic, or youth charges that lead to a finding of wrongdoing or voluntary payment. The trigger requires lawmakers to set aside $3,180,100 for the Judicial Branch and the Controller General to give notice for publication. This provision would take effect when the funding notice is published in the Register of Regulations.

Courts would not collect the listed $1 charge for video calling systems. The charge concerns fines, penalties, or forfeitures in covered criminal cases, including cases involving children found to have committed an offense. This provision would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law.

Courts would not add the listed seat belt charge when another traffic offense is involved. The added charge concerns a seat belt violation tied to prosecution for another Delaware traffic offense. A separate $25 civil penalty would still apply when the seat belt violation stands alone. This provision would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law.

The state would cancel unpaid balances on the three listed fees. This covers people who still owe the listed court security, video calling, or seat belt charge. The court security provision depends on state funding and publication of a notice. The cancellation provision would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law. It calls for cancellation 30 days after the Act’s effective dates.