BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend § 6750, Title 18 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
§ 6750.
§ 6701A.
Funeral expenses for deceased volunteer firefighters.
(a)
The
reasonable
funeral expenses of a deceased member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire company ladies
auxiliary
auxiliary,
or volunteer ambulance and rescue company
shall
must
be paid in
the
amount
not to exceed
of
$7,000.
(b)(1)
If the deceased member of such company was a state employee entitled to a funeral benefit, this chapter shall not apply. A
An individual is eligible for funeral expenses under this chapter if the individual served, in this State, as an active
member of a volunteer fire company, volunteer fire company ladies
auxiliary
auxiliary,
or volunteer ambulance and rescue company
for the purposes of this chapter is one who has served as an active member of such organization in Delaware
for at least 10 years.
(2) The 10 years of service required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section includes years of service as an active member of 1 or more volunteer fire companies, volunteer fire company ladies auxiliaries, or volunteer ambulance and rescue companies in this State.
(c) If an individual eligible for funeral expenses under this chapter was a state employee entitled to a benefit under § 8331 of Title 11, § 8395 of Title 11, § 8846 of Title 11, § 5316 of Title 29, or § 5546 of Title 29, the individual is also eligible for the benefit under this chapter.
Section 2. 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.
Section 3. This Act takes effect on October 1, 2025.
