Bill > HB139

This bill amends Delaware's legal framework for line-of-duty death claims by modifying several key administrative procedures. Specifically, the bill gives the State Insurance Coverage Office standing to contest claims filed under the line-of-duty death benefit program, which means they can now formally challenge claims they believe are invalid. The legislation also changes the hearing requirements for such claims, eliminating the previous mandate that the Insurance Commissioner hold a hearing for every single claim. Instead, hearings will now only be required for contested claims, with uncontested claims able to be resolved through a paper review process. The bill makes technical language updates, such as replacing "shall" with "must" and modernizing gender-neutral phrasing, and maintains the Commissioner's existing powers to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and keep detailed records of proceedings. These changes aim to streamline the claims process, provide more flexibility in claim adjudication, and clarify the roles of different state offices in managing line-of-duty death benefits.

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https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142197