Del. Code tit. 19, § 1801 Short title.
This chapter may be known and cited as the “Volunteer Emergency Responders Job Protection Act.”
Volunteer Emergency Responders Job Protection Act
Del. Code tit. 19, ch. 18
in effectDel. Code tit. 19, § 1802 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Employer” means any person employing 10 or more employees; and
(2) “Volunteer emergency responder” means a volunteer firefighter, a member of a ladies auxiliary of a volunteer fire company, volunteer emergency medical technician and/or a volunteer fire police officer.
Del. Code tit. 19, § 1803 Employer; prohibited acts.
(a) No employer shall terminate, demote or take any other disciplinary action against any employee who is a volunteer emergency responder if:
(1) Such employee, when acting as a volunteer emergency responder, is absent from the employee's place of employment in order to respond to a Governor-declared state of emergency lasting up to 7 consecutive days; or
(2) Such employee, when acting as a volunteer emergency responder, is absent from the employee's place of employment in order to respond to a President-declared national emergency lasting up to 14 consecutive days; or
(3) Such employee is absent from the employee's place of employment due to injury sustained by such employee when acting as a volunteer emergency responder including responding to an emergency.
(b) Paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section shall not apply to:
(1) Essential state employees;
(2) Members of the armed forces;
(3) Members of the National Guard;
(4) Employees of a hospital licensed pursuant to Chapter 10 of Title 16; and
(5) Employees of public utilities or providers of voice over IP service or cellular telephone service who are necessary to maintain the integrity of networks, facilities or assist first responders.
Del. Code tit. 19, § 1804 Employer; adjustments to wages authorized.
An employer may subtract from an employee’s earned wages any time such employee is away from that employee's place of employment for reason described in § 1803 of this title.
Del. Code tit. 19, § 1805 Employee; duty to notify employer.
An employee shall notify the employee's employer, in accordance with the existing policies of the employer if such policy exists, that the employee may be absent from the employee's place of employment upon the occurrence of an event described in § 1803 of this title.
Del. Code tit. 19, § 1806 Employee; provide written statement; contents.
(a) At an employer’s request, an employee, acting as a volunteer emergency responder, who is absent from that employee’s place of employment in order to respond to an emergency shall provide the employee’s employer, within 7 days of such request, a written statement signed by the individual in charge of the volunteer department or another individual authorized to act for such individual that includes the following: That the employee responded to an emergency; the date and time of the emergency; and the date and time such employee completed the volunteer emergency activities.
(b) At an employer’s request, an employee, who is absent from that employee’s place of employment due to injury sustained by such employee while responding to an emergency shall provide the employee’s employer, within 5 days of such request, a written statement signed by the relevant medical professional or another individual authorized to act for such medical professional that includes the following: That the employee was seen by such medical professional, the date the employee was seen by such medical professional, and the estimated period of partial or total incapacity to perform the employee’s job.
Del. Code tit. 19, § 1807 Wrongful termination of employment or disciplinary action; reinstatement; action to enforce act.
An employee who is terminated or against whom any disciplinary action is taken in violation of this chapter shall be immediately reinstated to that employee’s former position, if wrongfully terminated, without reduction of wages, seniority, or other benefits and shall receive any lost wages or other benefits, if applicable, during any period for which such termination or other disciplinary action was in effect. An action to enforce this chapter may be brought by the employee to recover any lost wages or other benefits, including court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees in Superior Court. An action to enforce this chapter shall be commenced within 1 year after the date of violation.
Del. Code tit. 19, § 1808 Substantially similar employment policies.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to an employer if such employer has substantially similar policies or rules that provide the same or substantially similar protections as are afforded in this chapter to an employee and provides the opportunity to appeal a decision to a court within the State.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title19/c018/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026