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Read. Follow. Verify.Delaware Authorizes High School Elective Credit for Volunteering at Local Fire Departments
Last action · September 9, 2025: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Debra Heffernan and 16 others
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What This Bill Does
Delaware high school students can now earn up to one by performing community service with local fire departments under a law signed September 9, 2025. Schools must also inform students about this volunteer credit opportunity when they choose classes.
Expands graduation credit pathways for students while establishing a direct recruitment mechanism for local volunteer emergency services.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
High school students
Students gain the ability to earn up to 1 elective credit for volunteer work at local fire departments and must be notified of this option during class selection.
Local fire departments
Fire departments become eligible sites for student volunteers seeking high school elective credits.
Department of Education
The Department is authorized to promulgate regulations to implement the updated Delaware Volunteerism Act.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many elective credits can a high school student earn by volunteering at a fire department?
When must schools inform students about this volunteer credit opportunity?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
9 actions- Sep 9, 2025Office of the GovernorEnrolledSigned by Governor
- Jun 30, 2025SenateFloorPassed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- Jun 25, 2025SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits
- Jun 17, 2025SenateIntroducedAssigned to Education Committee in Senate
- Jun 17, 2025HouseFloorPassed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
- Jun 17, 2025HouseCommitteeAmendment HA 1 to HB 171 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
Show 3 earlier actions
- Jun 17, 2025HouseCommitteeAmendment HA 1 to HB 171 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- Jun 11, 2025HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 13 On Its Merits
- May 15, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
SM
Total
21
- Yes
- 21
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (21)
Show 1 earlier roll call
SM
Total
40
- Yes
- 40
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (40)
16 more members
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 12 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Volunteerism Act to Emergency Services
The legislation formally integrates local fire departments into the state's educational framework for student community service credits.
Connected Entities
Sources
legis.delaware.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy5Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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