DE HB174

Creates the "Elizabeth Barnes Act" establishing a Suicide Victims' Assistance Fund to provide support to family members and dependents of individuals who died by suicide in Delaware.

Eligible family members (spouse, child, parent, sibling, or legal dependent) can receive financial assistance for mental health counseling, funeral expenses (up to $5,000), burial expenses (up to $2,500), temporary housing (up to $1,500), scene cleanup (up to $1,000), lost wages, and other services.

Establishes an annual expenditure cap of $750,000 for the Fund, with proportional reductions to payments required if expenditures are projected to exceed the cap or once 75% of appropriated funds have been disbursed.

Claims are paid only after all other compensation sources are exhausted, including life insurance, health insurance, and homeowner's insurance.

The General Assembly must review and may adjust the expenditure cap every 2 fiscal years beginning in Fiscal Year 2028, and the Act takes effect July 1 following enactment and appropriation of funds.