AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 20 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FIRST RESPONDERS.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide information on how the new definitions will be implemented or their impact on existing emergency management practices.

Defining First Responders in Delaware

This act defines who is considered a first responder in Delaware, including specific roles like police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.

What This Bill Does

• Defines 'first responder' as someone responsible for protecting life or property during emergencies.
• Includes federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS members, hazardous materials team members, 911 dispatchers, and emergency managers in the definition of first responders.

Who It Names or Affects

• First responders such as police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, and others involved in emergency management.

Terms To Know

First responder

A person who is responsible for protecting life or property during emergencies, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other similar roles.

Law enforcement officer

An individual designated as a law enforcement officer under specific sections of Delaware state laws or federal law.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the definition will be used in practice.
• It is unclear what changes, if any, this act will bring to existing emergency management practices.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 20 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FIRST RESPONDERS.
This Act creates a definition of “first responder” in Chapter 31 of Title 20, pertaining to emergency management. Currently, the term is referenced, but it is not actually defined, creating potential uncertainty about who qualifies as a first responder in this context. This Act defines a first responder as a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical services personnel member, hazardous materials response team member, 911 dispatcher, emergency manager, or other individual who is responsible for the protection and preservation of life or property and who is called on to respond to emergencies.

This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 234 and differs from Senate Bill No. 234 in that it adds a definition of “law enforcement officer” to clarify which law enforcement personnel are included in the definition of “first responder” and makes minor technical corrections to the definition of “first responder”.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Pettyjohn & Rep. Jones Giltner

Sen. Wilson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE SUBSTITUTE NO. 1

FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 234

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 20 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FIRST RESPONDERS.

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

Section 1. Amend § 3102, Title 20 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and redesignating accordingly:

§ 3102. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(8) “First responder” means a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical services personnel member, hazardous materials response team member, 911 dispatcher, emergency manager, or other individual who is responsible for the protection and preservation of life or property and who is called on to respond to emergencies.

(9) “Law enforcement officer” includes an individual designated as a law enforcement officer in § 222 of Title 11, § 8584 of Title 11, or § 6001F of Title 29, as well as a federal law enforcement officer as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 115(c)(1).

SYNOPSIS

This Act creates a definition of “first responder” in Chapter 31 of Title 20, pertaining to emergency management. Currently, the term is referenced, but it is not actually defined, creating potential uncertainty about who qualifies as a first responder in this context. This Act defines a first responder as a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical services personnel member, hazardous materials response team member, 911 dispatcher, emergency manager, or other individual who is responsible for the protection and preservation of life or property and who is called on to respond to emergencies.

This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 234 and differs from Senate Bill No. 234 in that it adds a definition of “law enforcement officer” to clarify which law enforcement personnel are included in the definition of “first responder” and makes minor technical corrections to the definition of “first responder”.

Author: Senator Pettyjohn