A violent assault and abduction of an elderly Seaford woman inspired legislation that now heads to the governor’s desk after winning unanimous approval in both chambers of the Delaware General Assembly.
State Sens. Bryant Richardson (R-Seaford) & Stephanie Hansen (D-Middletown) and State Rep. Danny Short (R-Seaford) were the prime sponsors of Senate Bill 292, also known as the Grace Peterson Act.
Before the House approved the measure Wednesday evening, Rep. Short recounted the 2023 incident that led to the legislation.
“The Grace Peterson Act before us today…looks to close the gap on a situation that contributed to a violent attack in Sussex and Wicomico counties in 2023,” Rep. Short said. “The measure is named for a Seaford woman, a retired councilwoman, who was carjacked, kidnapped, robbed, assaulted, and driven over 30 miles south into Wicomico County in her own car. Left bound and thrown into the Wicomico River after being pistol-whipped. She was 80 years old.
“She survived this attack because she had the will to live,” Rep. Short said. “She actually bit through her bonds to reach the shore and get help. And she has advocated for this change for three years. The man who did this was convicted of the attack. The 26-year-old is now serving a life prison sentence plus 60 years behind bars.
“He was evicted from the House of Mercy…in Seaford before committing this attack. And, as stated by Senator Hansen in the Senate, a legal gap allowed him to go unhoused and without a formal discharge plan. He walked down Pine Street,…took a left-hand turn and saw Grace getting into her car. And that’s how that story started.”
Rep. Short said Ms. Peterson has advocated for closing the legal loophole that created the circumstances leading to the crimes committed against her.
The bill would require landlords to assist tenants in developing a discharge plan before carrying out an eviction when the tenant’s rent is paid in whole or in part with state funds for reentry services. The plan must include an effort to directly connect the tenant with shelter and another support arrangement to help ensure continuity.
The legislation also mandates that, in the event of an eviction, the landlord notify the entity making the housing payments and, if the tenant is under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, inform that agency and local law enforcement.
Nearly half of the General Assembly sponsored or co-sponsored the bipartisan bill.
