2024 Legislative Drafting Manual

… as closely as they should or as outside drafters assumed. Regardless of your stage in the drafting process, apply the stand- ards of this manual and do not as- sume the drafter before you did so or the drafter after you will do so. 1 …

… pitalized in the definition section does not mean it must be capitalized in other portions of the legislation. Follow the standard capitaliza- tion rules when the defined term appears in another portion of the legislation. When using an acronym …

… ” “Indigenous,” and other culturally significant identifiers. Adopting this usage for legislative drafting is not yet the standard, but it is something to be aware of. See Associated Press changes influential style guide to capitalize ‘Black,’ T …

… y to make a difference to someone reading or interpreting it in another state. (1) Follow as closely as possible to the standard format of hierarchy within the original com- pact. This makes it easier for attorneys to move more seamlessly b …

… conduct, (2) signify that it is disapproved, and (3) specify the penalty for engaging in the prohibited conduct.” 170 The standardized language provided by this rule meets this requirement and does so in a way that provides for clarity and cons …

… his rule meets this requirement and does so in a way that provides for clarity and consistency in our law. While the standardized language will lead to splitting an infinitive , the benefits to the law greatly outweigh strict adherence to a …

… es for Drafting and Editing Legislation, 171 (RosePen Books 2015). 133 certain circumstances.171 In the case of the standardized language, by splitting the infinitive a drafter keeps the adverbial mens rea modifying each of the infinitives …

… Act does X, Y, and Z by requiring A, B, and C. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. …