This Amendment clarifies that funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters must be paid from the same self-insurance fund as line-of-duty disability benefits for firefighters under § 6707 of Title 18.

Plain English Breakdown

The official text confirms the amendment clarifies existing procedure but notes no effective date has been set yet as of January 30, 2025.

Amendment on Funding Funeral Expenses for Volunteer Firefighters

This amendment clarifies that a specific self-insurance fund must pay funeral costs for deceased volunteer firefighters, matching the funding used for disability benefits.

What This Bill Does

• Requires funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters to come from the same self-insurance fund as line-of-duty disability benefits under § 6707 of Title 18.
• Changes the section number in House Bill No. 2 from § 6750 to § 6701A.
• Updates Chapter 67A of Title 18 to state that payments must be made from the fund established under subchapter III of Chapter 65.
• States that the General Assembly shall provide adequate funding to this fund when necessary to cover claims.

Who It Names or Affects

• Deceased volunteer firefighters and their families receiving funeral expense payments
• The state self-insurance fund established under subchapter III of Chapter 65

Terms To Know

Self-insurance fund

A money pool set up by the government to pay claims instead of buying insurance from a private company.

Redesignates

Changes the official number given to a law section so it follows standard rules.

Limits and Unknowns

• The text does not state when this amendment will officially take effect.
• This is an amendment attached to House Bill No. 2, and its final status depends on the consideration of that bill.

Official Summary Text

This Amendment clarifies that funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters must be paid from the same self-insurance fund as line-of-duty disability benefits for firefighters under § 6707 of Title 18. This clarification is consistent with current procedure but is necessary because the section providing funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters is in Chapter 67A of Title 18, not Chapter 67. This Amendment also redesignates the section providing funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters to conform to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Carson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 2

AMEND House Bill No. 2 on line 9 by deleting “§ 6750.” before “Funeral” and inserting in lieu thereof

“

§ 6750.

§ 6701A.

” therein.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 2 between lines 23 and 24 by inserting the following and redesignating accordingly:

“Section 3. Amend Chapter 67A, Title 18 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 6702A. Source of payments under this chapter.

Payments made under this chapter must be made from the fund established under subchapter III of Chapter 65 of this title. The General Assembly shall, when necessary, provide adequate funding to the fund to cover claims under this chapter.

”.

SYNOPSIS

This Amendment clarifies that funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters must be paid from the same self-insurance fund as line-of-duty disability benefits for firefighters under § 6707 of Title 18. This clarification is consistent with current procedure but is necessary because the section providing funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters is in Chapter 67A of Title 18, not Chapter 67. This Amendment also redesignates the section providing funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters to conform to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.