SPONSOR:

Rep. Schwartzkopf & Rep. Ewing & Sen. Bunting

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

143rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 502

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

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

Section 1. Amend §5015 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code by striking such section in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof:

"§5015. Costs of transportation and medical services.

The State Treasurer shall pay police officers, constables, sheriffs and deputy sheriffs for service as peace officers under this section at the rate of 31 cents for each mile necessarily traveled as well as a custody fee of $100 when transporting a mentally ill person from one county to another county."

Section 2. Amend §5122 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code by striking subsection (e) in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof:

"(e) The State Treasurer shall pay police officers, constables, sheriffs and deputy sheriffs for service as peace officers under this section at the rate of 31 cents for each mile necessarily traveled and a custody fee of $100 when transporting a mentally ill person from one county to another county."

SYNOPSIS

This Act provides for an increase in the rate per mile received when a police officer, constable, sheriff or deputy sheriff transports a mentally ill person. The bill also provides that payment shall occur when mentally ill persons are transported from county to county. Additionally, it increases the custody fee and eliminates payment for a second police officer, constable, sheriff or deputy sheriff. Lastly, it clarifies that police officers should be compensated for transporting mentally ill persons.