House Bill 370 - Summary

• Establishes the Delaware Office of State Inspector General as an independent agency to investigate complaints of waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption in state executive branch agencies and among state employees.

• Inspector General is nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Senate for five-year terms; governor may remove for good cause with written notice.

• Inspector General has authority to access state records, enter agency premises without notice, question officials and employees, issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and employ certified police officers with full law enforcement powers including search warrant authority.

• State agencies must cooperate with investigations and implement remedial action plans; employees are protected from retaliation for good-faith reports of wrongdoing to the Inspector General.

• Audit and investigation reports are public records (with redactions for confidential information and pending criminal investigations); independent quality assurance reviews required every three years; becomes effective 180 days after enactment pending appropriation of funds.