An Act To Amend Title 18 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Funeral Expenses For Certain Volunteers With Fire Or Ambulance Companies.
Summary
SB28 amends Title 18 of the Delaware Code to address funeral expenses for certain volunteers affiliated with fire companies or ambulance companies. Based on the bill caption and voting history, the measure appears to create or expand a benefit related to burial or funeral costs for qualifying volunteer emergency responders, likely recognizing service by volunteers who serve in local fire or ambulance organizations.
The bill is a targeted public-benefit measure focused on volunteer first responders rather than a broad change to insurance law. It would affect state law governing death benefits, funeral expense coverage, or related obligations for eligible volunteers and their families, and would likely be administered through existing state or local processes tied to volunteer fire and ambulance service recognition.
Impact
SB28 would amend Title 18 of the Delaware Code, which generally covers insurance and related benefit provisions, to establish or revise funeral-expense protections for certain volunteers serving with fire or ambulance companies. The practical effect would be to extend a state-law benefit to a defined class of emergency-service volunteers and potentially their survivors or estates, while leaving the broader insurance code intact. It may also require coordination with local fire companies, ambulance companies, or benefit administrators to determine eligibility and payment procedures.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong bipartisan support and little controversy. The bill passed the Senate 20-0 and the House 39-0, indicating unanimous or near-unanimous approval in both chambers. No committee transcript is available, but the recorded votes imply the measure was viewed favorably as a recognition of volunteer public service and a modest, targeted benefit.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the available materials. Because the bill is narrowly tailored to funeral expenses for certain volunteer fire and ambulance personnel, any potential debate would likely center on eligibility definitions, fiscal impact, or administrative implementation. However, the unanimous votes suggest those issues were either minimal or resolved without significant disagreement.