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HB 171

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTIVE CREDIT FOR VOLUNTEERING WITH LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Carson and 16 co-sponsors

Delaware allows high school students to earn elective credit by volunteering with local fire departments, addressing staffing needs while providing career experience.

Signed by Governor
0
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Bill Summary · HB 171

Legislative bill overview

HB 171 amends Delaware's education code to allow high school students to earn elective credit toward graduation by volunteering with local fire departments. The bill enables students to substitute volunteer firefighting service for traditional classroom-based elective courses, provided the work meets specified educational standards.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses workforce shortages in volunteer fire departments while providing students with practical experience and career exploration opportunities. It creates a pathway for students to gain valuable emergency response training and contribute to community safety while simultaneously fulfilling graduation requirements.

Potential points of contention

  • Academic rigor concerns: Questions about whether volunteer firefighting provides equivalent educational value to traditional electives and whether credit standards are sufficiently defined
  • Equity and access: Students in rural areas with active volunteer departments may have advantages over urban students with limited firefighting opportunities
  • Liability and safety: Potential concerns about minors engaged in hazardous emergency response work and associated institutional liability
  • Workforce pipeline vs. education: Debate over whether the primary goal is filling firefighter staffing needs versus genuine educational benefit for students

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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