2025-2026 Regular Session • Delaware Legislature
HB174: An Act To Amend Title 11 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Victims Compensation Assistance Program.
Legislative Summary
This bill enables family members of individuals who have committed suicide to receive support services through the present VCAP. Distributions under this Act will begin January 1 of the year following its enactment. This bill imposes a surcharge on business, residential, wireless, and prepaid wireless services that will be used to fund suicide assistance services. The fee is $0.12 per month on subscription services or $0.12 per retail transaction for prepaid services. Any funds in excess of $5,000,000 at the end of the fiscal year will be returned to the general fund. This Act will be known as the Elizabeth Barnes Act.
Bill History
5/21/2025
Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House
Status Information
Current Status
Introduced(5/21/2025)
Chamber
House of Representatives
Committee
Judiciary(House of Representatives)
Sponsors
Democrat: 15
Primary Sponsor

Eric Morrison
Democrat
Co-Sponsors (14)
Spiros Mantzavinos
Democrat
Sean Lynn
Democrat
Kendra Johnson
Democrat
DeShanna Neal
Democrat
Josue Ortega
Democrat
Frank Burns
Democrat
Melanie Ross Levin
Democrat
Russ Huxtable
Democrat
Elizabeth Lockman
Democrat
Laura Sturgeon
Democrat
Nicole Poore
Democrat
Kyra Hoffner
Democrat
Marie Pinkney
Democrat
Daniel Cruce
Democrat