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Read. Follow. Verify.Delaware authorizes State Fire Prevention Commission to review criminal background checks for fire company members
Last action · September 3, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Kyra Hoffner and 6 others
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What This Bill Does
Delaware empowers the State Fire Prevention Commission to review criminal background records to disqualify applicants and members with specific felony, drug, sex, or property crimes from serving in fire companies. The legislation updates state statutory language to comply with Federal Bureau of Investigation requirements for requesting federal records and clarifies definitions under Chapter 66 of Title 16. The measure took effect upon being signed into law on September 3, 2026.
Changes qualification standards for volunteer and career fire company personnel across Delaware by establishing mandatory background check reviews and disqualifying crimes.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Fire company applicants and members
Individuals must undergo criminal history record checks and face disqualification from service if convicted of specified crimes.
State Fire Prevention Commission
The Commission is granted new statutory authority to receive, review, and evaluate criminal history records for fire company personnel.
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 affected by the background check requirements in SB 325?
What types of crimes disqualify an individual from serving in a fire company?
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
22 actions- Sep 3, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolledSigned by Governor
- Jun 30, 2026SenateFloorPassed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- Jun 30, 2026SenateLifted From Table in Senate
- Jun 30, 2026SenateLaid On Table in Senate
- Jun 30, 2026SenateSuspension of Rules in Senate
- Jun 30, 2026HouseFloorPassed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
Show 16 earlier actions
- Jun 30, 2026HouseCommitteeAmendment HA 1 to SB 325 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
- Jun 23, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 1 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits
- Jun 18, 2026SenateCommitteeAmendment HA 1 to SB 325 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- Jun 16, 2026HouseIntroducedAssigned to Appropriations Committee in House
- Jun 16, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 5 On Its Merits
- Jun 16, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 5 On Its Merits
- Jun 11, 2026HouseIntroducedAssigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House
- Jun 11, 2026SenateFloorPassed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
- Jun 11, 2026SenateCommitteeAmendment SA 2 to SB 325 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
- Jun 11, 2026SenateCommitteeAmendment SA 1 to SB 325 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
- Jun 10, 2026SenateCommitteeAmendment SA 2 to SB 325 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- Jun 10, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits
- Jun 10, 2026SenateIntroducedAssigned to Finance Committee in Senate
- Jun 10, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Corrections & Public Safety) in Senate with 4 Favorable
- Jun 4, 2026SenateCommitteeAmendment SA 1 to SB 325 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- May 18, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced and Assigned to Corrections & Public Safety Committee in Senate
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
40
- Yes
- 40
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (40)
16 more members
Show 2 earlier roll calls
SM
Total
21
- Yes
- 21
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (21)
SM
Total
20
- Yes
- 20
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (20)
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
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Criminal Screening for Fire Services
The legislation formalizes statewide disqualification criteria and background check mandates for fire company personnel to align with federal protocols.
Connected Entities
Sources
legis.delaware.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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