AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DEATH BENEFITS.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill has passed both chambers and reached final enrollment but is currently assigned to the Appropriations Committee; its status regarding executive action (governor's signature) is not shown in the provided text.

Increase Death Benefits for State Pensioners and Volunteer First Responders

This law raises the death benefit payment from $7,000 to $8,000 for state pension recipients and volunteer emergency service members.

What This Bill Does

• Increases the burial benefit under the State Employees' Pension Plan from $7,000 to $8,000.
• Raises the funeral expense payment for deceased volunteer firefighters, ambulance workers, or their auxiliaries from $7,000 to $8,000.
• Makes technical corrections to Section 5546 of Title 29 of the Delaware Code regarding benefit payments.

Who It Names or Affects

• Individuals receiving pensions under the State Employees' Pension Plan and their beneficiaries or estates.
• Members of volunteer fire companies, volunteer fire company ladies auxiliaries, and volunteer ambulance and rescue companies in Delaware.

Terms To Know

Burial benefit

A payment made from a pension fund to help cover the cost of burying or cremating someone who has died.

Volunteer fire company ladies auxiliary

A group that supports volunteer firefighters, often by raising funds or providing community services.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
• This bill only changes the dollar amount and makes technical corrections; it does not change who qualifies for these benefits beyond what is already in the code.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DEATH BENEFITS.
Like House Bill No. 2, House Substitute No. 1 for HB 2 makes technical corrections to § 5546 of Title 29 and increases from $7,000 to $8,000, both of the following:
• The amount of the burial benefit under the State Employees’ Pension Plan.
• The amount paid for funeral expenses for a member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire company ladies auxiliary, or a volunteer ambulance and rescue company.

HS 1 for HB 2 differs from HB 2 because it changes the effective date to October 1, 2026, and because the enactment of Senate Bill No. 28 (85 Del. Laws, c. 215) on September 9, 2025, included all of the following:
• The technical revisions to § 6750 of Title 18 that were also included in Section 2 of HB 2.
• The transfer of § 6750 of Title 18 to § 6701A of Title 18, which was also included in House Amendment No. 1 to HB 2.
• The enactment of § 6701A of Title 18, which was also included in HA 1 to HB 2.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Carson & Sen. Brown

Reps. Cooke, Gray, Lambert; Sens. Hoffner, Huxtable, Poore, Walsh

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE NO. 1

FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 2

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 18 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DEATH BENEFITS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 6701A, Title 18 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 6701A. Funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters.

(a) The funeral expenses of a deceased member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire company ladies auxiliary, or volunteer ambulance and rescue company must be paid in the amount of

$7,000.

$8,000.

Section 2. Amend § 5546, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 5546. Burial benefits.

(a)

Upon

On

the death of an individual receiving a pension under this chapter the sum of

$7,000 shall

$8,000 must

be paid from the Fund to a designated beneficiary

or

or,

in the absence of a designated

beneficiary

beneficiary,

the amount of this benefit

shall

must

be paid to the deceased pensioner’s estate.

Section 3. This Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.

SYNOPSIS

Like House Bill No. 2, House Substitute No. 1 for HB 2 makes technical corrections to § 5546 of Title 29 and increases from $7,000 to $8,000, both of the following:

• The amount of the burial benefit under the State Employees’ Pension Plan.

• The amount paid for funeral expenses for a member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire company ladies auxiliary, or a volunteer ambulance and rescue company.

HS 1 for HB 2 differs from HB 2 because it changes the effective date to October 1, 2026, and because the enactment of Senate Bill No. 28 (85 Del. Laws, c. 215) on September 9, 2025, included all of the following:

• The technical revisions to § 6750 of Title 18 that were also included in Section 2 of HB 2.

• The transfer of § 6750 of Title 18 to § 6701A of Title 18, which was also included in House Amendment No. 1 to HB 2.

• The enactment of § 6701A of Title 18, which was also included in HA 1 to HB 2.