Bill > HB174

This bill establishes the Elizabeth Barnes Act, which creates a new Suicide Assistance Fund to provide support services for families of individuals who have died by suicide in Delaware. The bill imposes a $0.12 monthly surcharge on residential, business, wireless, and prepaid wireless telecommunications services to fund the program. Eligible family members, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, and legal dependents of suicide victims, can receive various forms of financial assistance and support services, such as mental health counseling, funeral and burial expenses (up to $5,000 and $2,500 respectively), temporary housing, moving expenses, suicide scene cleanup, lost wages, child care, and medical expenses. The Victims' Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) will administer the fund, which will be separate from other agency funds and invested by the State Treasurer. Providers collecting the surcharge will be immune from lawsuits and can retain a small percentage of collected funds to cover administrative costs. The bill requires annual reporting on the fund's activities and expenditures, and most provisions will take effect immediately, with specific assistance services beginning January 1 following the act's enactment. The legislation aims to provide comprehensive support to families struggling in the aftermath of a suicide.

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https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142357