Delaware General Assembly Update for the Week of June 9-13, 2025 (Bills/Resolutions of Interest to Veterans and Military Families)
- David Rugg
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 20
House Substitute 1 for House Bill 1 (PASSED IN THE HOUSE and WILL BE VOTED ON IN THE SENATE JUNE 17th) establishes a new state-level Department of Veterans Affairs led by a cabinet-level Secretary to advocate for and administer programs relating to veterans in the State of Del
aware. It is the intent of this legislation that current staff of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Veterans Affairs will continue their work, but as part of the new Department of Veterans Affairs, with the potential for expanded staff and duties in accordance with annual appropriations.
House Bill 54 (PASSED IN THE HOUSE) establishes the Office of Suicide Prevention to address suicide prevention and to do the following: (1) Serve in coordination with the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families as a place to reach all suicide prevention resources in the State. (2) Assist the suicide prevention coalition in its mission. (3) Provide suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention vision and guidance to stakeholders throughout the State. (4) Work with community level prevention organizations to promote best practices in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. (5) Oversee suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention funding application processes and seek grant funds to further suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. (6) Prepare an annual report for the General Assembly and Governor that outlines the work of the Office and progress made towards suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, beginning on October 15, 2026. (7) Create the State’s Suicide Prevention Plan, with approval of the suicide prevention coalition, and update it no fewer than every three years. The Act provides that the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health will choose a Director to carry out the Office’s duties. The Coalition includes one member of the Delaware Commission of Veteran Affairs.
House Bill 121 (PASSED IN THE HOUSE) exempts from state child care licensing requirements a military family child care provider that serves only children eligible for Department of Defense subsidized care that is either located on a military base or federal property, certified as a family child care provider by a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Coast Guard, or both.
House Substitute 1 for House Bill 169 (PASSED IN THE HOUSE) makes changes to the Behavioral Health Consortium and the Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission that includes one veteran who has served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard or the Reserves, and who has been impacted by behavioral health in this State.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 (PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS) honors the Marine Corps 250th Birthday on November 10, 2025.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 55 (PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS) honors the U.S. Navy’s 250th Birthday on October 13, 2025.
House Concurrent Resolution 62 (PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS) honors the men and women who served in the United States Army and honors the 250th Anniversary of the United States Army.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 95 (PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS)recognizes December 6, 2025, as “Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Recognition Day” in Delaware.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 99 (PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS) proclaims June 12, 2025, as “Women Veterans Recognition Day” in the State of Delaware.
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