Delaware SB 29 increases volunteer emergency responder funeral benefit to $10,000

Original title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR CERTAIN VOLUNTEERS WITH FIRE OR AMBULANCE COMPANIES.

Last action · March 12, 2025: Assigned to Finance Committee in SenateSponsors: Darius Brown and 7 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Senate Bill 29 raises the maximum state-funded funeral benefit for deceased volunteer firefighters, auxiliary members, and ambulance workers from its 2004 level to $10,000, effective October 1, 2025. The measure clarifies that recipients may collect this benefit even if they qualify for separate state employee burial programs and makes technical corrections to the Delaware Code.

Why it matters

Families of deceased volunteer emergency personnel become eligible for a larger funeral expense payout, and state agencies receive explicit statutory backing to disburse these funds alongside standard state employee burial benefits.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Volunteer fire, auxiliary, and rescue company members

Eligible individuals and their families may receive up to $10,000 in funeral expense assistance, an increase from prior limits.

Directly affected

State agencies administering burial benefits

Agencies must apply updated statutory criteria when disbursing funeral benefits alongside state employee burial programs.

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

Who is eligible for the increased funeral expense benefit under SB 29?

Deceased members of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire company , or volunteer ambulance and rescue company are eligible.

When does the increased benefit take effect?

The act takes effect on October 1, 2025, to allow implementation following the fiscal year 2026 .

Does receiving state employee burial benefits disqualify a volunteer from this fund?

No. The bill clarifies that members can receive these volunteer funeral benefits even if they are also entitled to state employee burial benefits under specific sections of Title 11 or Title 29.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

4 actions

Mar 12, 2025SenateIntroduced
Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate
Mar 12, 2025SenateCommittee
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 5 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits
Mar 12, 2025SenateCommittee
Amendment SA 1 to SB 29 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
Jan 3, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate

Version history

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