The General Assembly finds that it is necessary to establish a centralized program for business registration and licensing in order to make it convenient and easy for businesses, especially small businesses, to use. The General Assembly also finds that it is necessary to establish a procedure which will reduce the total number of licenses required to do business in this State. This can be accomplished by development of a computerized system capable of storing, retrieving and exchanging license information as well as issuing and renewing master licenses while at the same time allowing the authority for determining if any requested license shall be issued to remain with the agency authorized to issue the license.

As used in this chapter:

(1) [Repealed.]

(2) “License” means the whole or part of any agency permit, license, certificate, approval, registration, charter or any form or permission required by law, including agency rule, to engage in any activity.

(3) “Master license” means the document designed for public display issued by the system which certifies individual state agency approval for licenses the State requires for any person subject to this chapter.

(4) [Repealed.]

(5) “System” means the business registration and licensing center established by this chapter.

Each agency administering licenses shall publish, prior to January 1, 1985, regulations prescribing the maximum period of review for each specific license or permit administered by that agency. No license or renewal for which proper and timely application has been made shall be withheld or denied because of the failure of an agency to act within the prescribed maximum period of review. Each agency will remit the application or license fee to any business if its request for a license or permit is not acted upon within the prescribed maximum period for agency review. Nothing within this section shall restrict an agency from denying approval for failure of the applicant to comply with the applicable laws and regulations.

Every state agency shall regularly mail or distribute to Delaware businesses the renewal form or application necessary for retention or renewal of any regularly renewable license. No license shall be withheld, or denied, if the administering agency failed to provide the applicant with the information necessary for a proper and timely renewal or retention of a license.

Repealed by 74 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 2, effective Feb. 14, 2004.

The General Assembly hereby directs all state agencies to offer their full cooperation in the implementation of this chapter.