SPONSOR:	Sen. Vaughn & Rep. Valihura
	Sens. Venables, Bonini & Rep. Keeley

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

143rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 254

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO WRONGFUL DEATH.

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

Section 1. Amend Section 3724(d)(4) of Title 10 of the Delaware Code by striking the phrase “$2,000,” and by inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “$7,000, or the amount designated in Section 5546(a) of Title 29, whichever is greater.”

SYNOPSIS

This Act would permit the victim’s survivor of a wrongful death to recoup “reasonable funeral expenses.” The current $2,000 limit is outdated and unreasonable, and without a basis in economic reality. Rather than legislate another limit, which would have to be Amended again as costs rise in the future, this Act would permit “reasonable” funeral expenses, to be tied to the amount paid upon the death of a State pensioner which is currently $7,000 and Amended periodically.

Author: Senator Vaughn