CHAPTER 379
FORMERLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 550
AS AMENDED BY HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 47, TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTION OFFICERS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE :
Section 1. Amend Chapter 47, Title 15 of the Delaware Code by adding thereto a new section, designated as §4709, which new section shall read as follows:
"§4709. Employment protection
(a) If an employee has vacation time accrued and available for use and is not in a critical need position, an employer shall not deprive an employee of employment, nor threaten or otherwise coerce an employee with respect thereto, because the employee is serving as an election officer on an election day, or is otherwise serving in accordance with this chapter.
(b) Any employer who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of criminal contempt, and upon conviction may be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.
(c) If an employer discharges an employee in violation of subsection (a) of this section, the employee may file a civil action in Superior Court within 90 days for recovery of wages lost as a result of the violation, and for an order requiring the reinstatement of the employee. An employee who prevails shall be allowed a reasonable attorney's fee fixed by the Court.
(d) The Superior Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over any violation of this section.
(e) For purposes of this Section, a critical need position is one in the field of public safety, corrections, transportation, health care, utilities, a small business employing 20 or less persons total or is otherwise a necessary person for the business or industry to be in service or operation on election day"