Senator Brown presented Senate Bill 28 and an amendment, saying the bill mandates payment of $7,000 for reasonable funeral expenses for qualifying deceased volunteer firefighters and clarifies that the payment will be made from the state self‑insurance fund. The sponsor said the act incorporates technical corrections to align existing law with drafting standards and would take effect Oct. 1, 2025.

Tom DeCristofaro, president of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association (DVFA), testified in support and said the amount has not changed since 2001. DeCristofaro described the benefit as recognition for volunteers’ service and a means to help families with burial costs. Norman J. Jones, executive manager of the DVFA, told senators the 10‑year active‑service threshold used for the benefit is consistent with existing program standards and that the fund will pay billed funeral costs up to the statutory amount; if funds are unused they remain within the state fund rather than going to beneficiaries.

Chris Haas of the Delaware Department of Insurance said the department supports the bill and that clarifying the source of funding in Title 18 (the state self‑insurance fund) was important. Public comment included remarks from veterans and local stakeholders; transcript shows no committee vote on SB 28 at the hearing.