The Delaware Division of Corporations has released its 2012 Annual Report which can be viewed here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   – VA Public Affairs

May 13, 2013

Draft Gulf War Task Force Report Released

Report Redefines How Care and Services Are Provided to Gulf War Veterans

WASHINGTON –
Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced that the Department’s Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force will publish a comprehensive draft report in the Federal Register for public feedback and comment.  The report describes how the Department of Veterans Affairs has been, and will continue to address the concerns of Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.

“We know Gulf War Veterans are experiencing critical long-term medical issues that are complex and difficult to label,” said Shinseki.  “VA has learned a great deal over the past 20 years about identifying, diagnosing and treating Gulf War Veterans, and we will continue to evaluate our research and clinical findings to ensure we keep providing world-class health care and benefits for Gulf War Veterans.”

Over the past several years, the Task Force has refined an integrated roadmap to better synchronize efforts and improve care and services to Gulf War veterans. VA is working towards these efforts becoming a part of the culture and operations.

This year’s report continues to focus on efforts to improve health care for Gulf War Veterans including innovative enhancements to clinical care.  The draft report identifies seven specific areas where VA will strive to improve services for Gulf War Veterans.

The seven areas focus on important components of health care, such as Veteran-centric approaches to specialty and primary care, delivering Veteran benefits, and improving open communications with Gulf War Veterans.  The Task Force also developed plans to improve linkages between specialty knowledge and services at the basic point of care to address treatment for chronic multi-symptom illness, an ongoing concern of Gulf War Veterans, their families and their providers.

VA continues to support ongoing efforts by providing clinical research and development, which is outlined in the recent, first-ever released Research Strategic Plan on Gulf War Illnesses.  This plan will be used to help refine clinical practice and clinical education throughout VA. VA continues to strengthen partnerships to enhance medical surveillance related to potential health impacts on Veterans from the environmental exposures on today’s battlefields.

VA and the Department of Defense recently approved a research project to develop a long-term exposure record to collect and share deployment and exposure data between the two Departments, a model informed by lessons learned in earlier Gulf War studies.  “This decades-long research and continuing partnership has not only transformed the care and services to Gulf War Veterans, but has also made us smarter about how we care for Veterans of all eras.” said Shinseki.Today, VA is seeking public comments on the draft Task Force report before final publication. The public notice and instructions for how to submit electronic and comments via postal mail will be posted at www.regulations.gov, and the draft written report will be open for comment for 30 days. In addition, VA recognizes that a great number of Gulf War Veterans use the Internet on a daily basis to share their ideas and concerns, so VA has also created a public discussion board on the seven focus areas at: http://vagulfwartaskforce.uservoice.com/. To view the report without making recommendations, please visit VA’s website
at: http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/Draft_2012_GWVI-TF_Report.pdf.

Significant addition to State’s leading role in corporate law

Governor Jack Markell today joined members of the General Assembly to announce legislation enabling the formation of public benefit corporations in Delaware. Public benefit corporations are a new kind of socially conscious for-profit corporation intended to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner. They are to be managed for the benefit not only of stockholders, but also for other people, the community and public interests. The creation of public benefit corporations in Delaware is a significant addition to the state’s long- standing leadership in the development of corporate law worldwide.

“Delaware is rightfully recognized worldwide for its leading role in corporate law,” said Governor Jack Markell. “With the addition of Public Benefit Corporations, Delaware will continue to be a leader and support a new movement of  social entrepreneurs and investors who are stepping forward to meet high standards of corporate purpose, accountability and transparency.”

Delaware is the legal home of more than one million legal entities including many of the nation’s largest businesses. The State’s recognition of this new type of corporation whose end objective is to create a positive impact on society and the environment is expected to have a significant effect on the development of this area of corporate law. The bill requires directors of a Delaware public benefit corporation to balance the interests of stockholders with the best interests of those materially affected by the corporation’s conduct and the specific public benefits identified by the corporation.

Senate Bill 47 was introduced today in the Delaware General Assembly with bi-partisan support.

“I am proud to sponsor legislation which gives corporations a way to rebuild public trust in business by ensuring that the benefits of their work extend beyond their stockholders and managers,” said Sen. David Sokola, D-Newark, who is sponsoring the bill.

Rep. Bryon Short, who chairs the House Small Business Caucus and the House Economic Development Committee, is the lead House sponsor of the legislation. “The establishment of benefit corporations is a positive step forward for the role of corporations in our communities,” said Rep. Short, D-Highland Woods. “Their missions go beyond the historical board-stockholder relationship to create specific public benefits. Delaware’s unique role in the corporate world makes us an ideal place for Benefit Corporations to incorporate. I’m happy to support this legislation and help guide it toward becoming law.”

B Lab, a non-profit organization whose mission is to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems, is the nation’s leading advocate for benefit corporation legislation. B Lab also certifies hundreds of companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency including more than 70 firms that are already incorporated in Delaware. According to Jay Coen Gilbert, co-founder of B Lab, “Delaware’s introduction of benefit corporation legislation is a tipping point in the acceleration of a global movement to redefine success in business.  We are deeply appreciative of the commitment that Delaware had made to this important issue and thank Governor Markell, the bill’s sponsors, the Delaware State Bar Association, the Delaware Court of Chancery, and the Secretary of State for their leadership in supporting legislation that will work in Delaware.”

A public benefit corporation (PBC) will be formed in the same manner as any other corporation formed under the Delaware General Corporation Law. However, in order to be a PBC, the corporation’s certificate of incorporation must identify one or more specific public benefits and must have a name that clearly identifies its status as a PBC. Public benefits for which corporations may be formed under the proposed law include, but are not limited to, those of an artistic, charitable, cultural, economic, educational, environmental, literary, medical, religious, scientific or technical nature.

At least once every two years, a public benefit corporation must send its stockholders a statement with respect to its promotion of the public benefit(s) identified in its charter, as well as its promotion of the best interests of those materially affected by the corporation’s conduct.

John Grossbauer, Vice Chair of the Council of the Corporation Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association, stated “I’m pleased to represent the Delaware State Bar Association in endorsing this legislation which will provide corporations, entrepreneurs and investors who wish to pursue these goals the ability to rely on a long tradition of Delaware corporate law that provides both the stability and predictability that businesses have come to rely upon.”

If enacted, corporations would become eligible to form, convert or merge into a public benefit corporation beginning August 1, 2013.

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Video from the event is available online.

Dover- The Delaware State Police and Delaware.gov in conjunction with Delaware Interactive, LLC have just launched a new mobile Tip Line application on both Android and iOS platforms.  Troopers receive crime tips from various sources: email, a toll-free hotline, and an online submission through its website.  The new Mobile Tip Line provides an additional, convenient, method where anyone can submit a crime tip straight from their mobile device.

You can learn more about the DSP by visiting http://dsp.delaware.gov/.  The app is free to both Android and iOS users and available for download at https://delaware.gov/apps/

The DSP Tip Line application provides a mobile solution for accepting crime tips allowing users to report information such as location, activity description, subject description, vehicle description, and even a photograph.  The user also has the option to submit anonymously.  All crime tips are passed directly to the DSP team via an email to preapproved recipients.

Apart from the mobile application, anyone who wishes to submit a tip may do so by calling the toll-free number 800-TIP-3333, emailing the DSP directly at crimestoppers@delaware.gov or by submitting an online form located at https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=346

“The Delaware State Police continue to utilize technology as a force multiplier to combat and solve crime,” said Sergeant Paul G. Shavack, Director of Public Information for the Delaware State Police. “By the use of smart phone technology, we want to make it as easy and convenient as possible to provide anonymous tips on crimes and criminal activity. When the public becomes involved and provides crime tips, it helps keep their communities safe.”

This mobile application responds to the administration’s eGovernment directive for enhanced citizen access.  “We’re committed to creating new and convenient eGovernment tools for Delaware,” said Greg Hughes, Director of the Delaware Government Information Center (GIC), which leads eGovernment efforts in the First State. “Delaware Governor Jack Markell has directed us to look for ways to make government more efficient, effective and open; mobile apps and eGovernment tools like this one will help us meet that goal.”

Delaware’s Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline suspended the medical license of Dr. Muhammed Niaz this week for three years and required that he pay a fine of 5,000 dollars for numerous violations of the state’s Medical Practice Act, specifically related to the prescribing of controlled substances.

“Dr. Niaz’s conduct demonstrates a willful disregard for professional responsibility to protect patients and the community from the very serious effects of drug abuse and illegal diversion,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock.

The Board found that, among other violations, Dr. Niaz’s failure to document medical histories and test results; his failure to develop and follow appropriate treatment plans; his disregard of indications that patients were abusing medication; and basing prescribing decisions in large part on patient requests or representation rather than objective results “constitute such egregious deviation from the standard of care that this level of unprofessional conduct must be met with the appropriate discipline. That is, suspension.”

“When prescribed and used properly, medication can significantly improve the health and quality of life of people who are suffering with severe pain and other ailments,” said Dr. Gregory Adams, Board President. “When a medical professional does not follow proper protocol in prescribing and monitoring the use of medication, however, there can be significant negative impact on the patient and the community.”

The Board also held Dr. Niaz responsible for his lack of oversight of an advanced practice nurse who worked in his office. The nurse practitioner has also been accused of serious violations related to her prescribing practices.

In addition to the suspension and fine, which must be paid within 90 days, Dr. Niaz must complete 12 hours of continuing education related to drug abuse and addiction, the prescribing of controlled substances, and proper supervision practices before the Board will consider lifting the suspension in 2016.