DE HR4

Establishes permanent procedures for the Delaware House Ethics Committee to investigate and adjudicate allegations of violations of the Rules of Legislative Conduct by House members.

Requires complaints to be filed in writing under oath by House members only, identifying the accused member and specific rule violations with supporting facts and documentation.

Grants the Ethics Committee authority to conduct preliminary inquiries, subpoena witnesses and documents, take sworn testimony, and issue statements of alleged violations to respondents who have 20 calendar days to respond.

Provides for disciplinary hearings in two phases: phase one determines if violations are proved by clear and convincing evidence (burden on committee staff); phase two determines appropriate sanctions including suspension, expulsion, censure, reprimand, fines, or other sanctions.

Allows cases dismissed by the Committee to be appealed to the full House by petition of any House member approved by majority vote, with similar procedures and sanctions available at the House level; suspension or expulsion requires two-thirds vote approval.