AN ACT TO AMEND THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CREATION OF A DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Sponsored By: William J. Carson (Democratic)
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Veterans aid fund gets department oversight
The department’s secretary now manages the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund. It provides help with medical and dental care, medical transportation, homelessness, home repairs and safety changes, utilities, and education or retraining. Veterans need at least a general discharge under honorable conditions; the law sets no grant amounts. The non-administrative portion of the existing one-time $20 veterans’ and women’s military service plate fees goes into the fund. The $20 fees do not increase, and the law does not state how much remains after administrative fees.
Veterans commission staff keep pay and benefits
All current veterans commission employees transfer to the new department on the law’s effective date, 180 days after enactment. Employees who are on staff that day keep their existing salary, seniority, and benefits.
Delaware centralizes veterans services and records
The law creates Delaware’s Department of Veterans Affairs, effective 180 days after enactment. The department takes over the veterans commission’s contracts, property, debts, and other obligations. County recorders must transfer recorded military discharge documents to the department, which maintains the state repository. These changes centralize veterans services and records but do not set a new household payment.
Delaware plans elder care for veterans
The secretary must work with the veterans commission to develop and propose elder-care plans for aging veterans. Plans can include different types of care or one or more additional veterans homes. This planning requirement does not itself open a home, guarantee care, or provide funding.
Veterans get priority for department jobs
Department supervisors must be veterans, and the secretary must be a veteran qualified by training and experience. An acceptable, equally qualified Delaware resident gets preference for secretary. For nonsupervisory, casual, and seasonal jobs, the department must recruit and hire veterans when possible. It may hire nonveterans for those jobs only when no qualified veteran is available. Veterans must have served on active duty, including in the National Guard or reserves, with a discharge other than dishonorable.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
William J. Carson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Eric Buckson
Republican • Senate
Frank Burns
Democratic • House
William Bush
Democratic • House
Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha
Democratic • House
Richard G. Collins
Republican • House
Daniel B. Short
Republican • House
Timothy D. Dukes
Republican • House
Mara Gorman
Democratic • House
Ronald E. Gray
Republican • House
Stephanie L. Hansen
Democratic • Senate
Debra Heffernan
Democratic • House
Jeff Hilovsky
Republican • House
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Russell Huxtable
Democratic • Senate
Larry Lambert
Democratic • House
Dave G. Lawson
Republican • Senate
Spiros Mantzavinos
Democratic • Senate
Michael F. Smith
Republican • House
Stell Parker Selby
Democratic • House
Brian Pettyjohn
Republican • Senate
Sophie Phillips
Democratic • House
Marie Pinkney
Democratic • Senate
Nicole Poore
Democratic • Senate
Charles S Postles Jr.
Republican • House
Cyndie Romer
Democratic • House
Melanie Ross Levin
Democratic • House
Bryan W. Shupe
Republican • House
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
Jesse R. Vanderwende
Republican • House
David L. Wilson
Republican • Senate
Madinah Wilson-Anton
Democratic • House
Lyndon D. Yearick
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
HS 1 for HB 1 - Signed by Governor
8/13/2025GovernorHS 1 for HB 1 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
6/26/2025SenateHS 1 for HB 1 - Reported Out of Committee (Veterans Affairs) in Senate with 9 Favorable
6/10/2025SenateHS 1 for HB 1 - Re-Assigned to Veterans Affairs Committee in Senate
5/21/2025SenateHS 1 for HB 1 - Assigned to Executive Committee in Senate
5/20/2025SenateHS 1 for HB 1 - Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 3 ABSENT
5/20/2025HouseHS 1 for HB 1 - - Passed In House by Voice Vote
5/20/2025HouseSubstituted in House by HS 1 for HB 1
5/6/2025HouseSubstituted in House by HS 1 for HB 1
4/10/2025HouseAssigned to Appropriations Committee in House
1/28/2025HouseReported Out of Committee (Veterans Affairs) in House with 18 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
1/28/2025HouseAmendment HA 1 to HB 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
1/16/2025HouseIntroduced and Assigned to Veterans Affairs Committee in House
12/19/2024House
Bill Text
Current
12/19/2024
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SB 279, AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL-BASED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS.
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