Delaware 150th General Assembly (2019-2020) Status: Introduced Bipartisan · 8 D · 3 R cosponsors

SB 217 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FIREFIGHTING.

Last action — Introduced and Laid on Table in Senate

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 150th General Assembly (2019-2020). It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

This Act limits the use of certain Class B firefighting foams (“Class B foams”) in Delaware. Class B foams are used to put out fires caused by flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, and jet fuel, and can be divided into 2 categories: those with PFAS chemicals and those without. PFAS chemicals include a range of chemistries with differing properties, which have been widely-used for decades in products other than Class B foams, like food packaging, carpets, and other household items, and in firefighting foam. The use of firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals, however, is an emerging public health challenge to avoid future contamination and reduce exposure to firefighters and Delawareans. Firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals can get into water wells and drinking water supplies, and expose firefighters and others to the chemicals. More studies into the effects of PFAS chemicals are emerging; some of the health effects of exposure to certain PFAS chemicals include pregnancy complications, liver damage, and high cholesterol. The PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams must be weighed against their particularly-effective nature in fighting liquid fires when mixed with water. To that end, this Act prohibits the use of Class B foams containing intentionally-added PFAS chemicals unless the use is for fire prevention or emergency firefighting. Further, this Act permits the use of such foam for training and testing only if the facility in which the training or testing occurs has implemented containment, treatment, and disposal measures to prevent releases of Class B foams containing PFAS chemicals. This Act also makes technical changes to Part IV of Title 16, to more accurately reflect its current structure.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

6 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This Act restricts the use of Class B firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals in Delaware, allowing their use only in specific circumstances.

  • § 6667

    It is unlawful to discharge a class B firefighting foam containing intentionally-added PFAS chemicals, unless the discharge is for 1 of the following purposes: → It is unlawful to discharge a class B firefighting foam containing intentionally-added PFAS chemicals, unless the discharge is for 1 of the following purposes:

    No significant effect as this text is repeated without changes.

  • § 6668

    This subchapter may not be construed to do either of the following: → This subchapter may not be construed to do either of the following:

    No significant effect as this text is repeated without changes.

  • § 6668(1)

    Restrict either of the following: → Restrict either of the following:

    No significant effect as this text is repeated without changes.

  • § 6668(1)(a)

    The manufacture, sale, or distribution of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally-added PFAS chemicals. → The manufacture, sale, or distribution of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally-added PFAS chemicals.

    No significant effect as this text is repeated without changes.

  • § 6668(1)(b)

    The discharge or use of class B firefighting foam in response to emergency fire-fighting operation. → The discharge or use of class B firefighting foam in response to emergency fire-fighting operation.

    No significant effect as this text is repeated without changes.

  • § 6668(2)

    Prevent the use of a nonfluorinated foams, including other class B firefighting foams, for training for firefighting operations. → Prevent the use of a nonfluorinated foams, including other class B firefighting foams, for training for firefighting operations.

    No significant effect as this text is repeated without changes.

Action History

  1. Introduced and Laid on Table in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 15 co-sponsors · 44 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (15)

Not signed on (44)

44 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 44 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety environment
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 217 do?
This Act limits the use of certain Class B firefighting foams (“Class B foams”) in Delaware. Class B foams are used to put out fires caused by flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, and jet fuel, and can be divided into 2 categories: those with PFAS chemicals and those without. PFAS chemicals include a range of chemistries with differing properties, which have been widely-used for decades in products other than Class B foams, like food packaging, carpets, and other household items, and in firefighting foam. The use of firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals, however, is an emerging public health challenge to avoid future contamination and reduce exposure to firefighters and Delawareans. Firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals can get into water wells and drinking water supplies, and expose firefighters and others to the chemicals. More studies into the effects of PFAS chemicals are emerging; some of the health effects of exposure to certain PFAS chemicals include pregnancy complications, liver damage, and high cholesterol. The PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams must be weighed against their particularly-effective nature in fighting liquid fires when mixed with water. To that end, this Act prohibits the use of Class B foams containing intentionally-added PFAS chemicals unless the use is for fire prevention or emergency firefighting. Further, this Act permits the use of such foam for training and testing only if the facility in which the training or testing occurs has implemented containment, treatment, and disposal measures to prevent releases of Class B foams containing PFAS chemicals. This Act also makes technical changes to Part IV of Title 16, to more accurately reflect its current structure.
Who sponsors SB 217?
SB 217 is sponsored by Michael F. Smith (Republican), Krista Griffith (Democratic), Franklin D. Cooke (Democratic), William J. Carson (Democratic), David P. Sokola (Democratic), Brian Pettyjohn (Republican), Dave G. Lawson (Republican), Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic), Debra Heffernan (Democratic), Bryan Townsend (Democratic), Trey Paradee (Democratic), Bruce C. Ennis, Anthony Delcollo, Ernesto B Lopez, David B. McBride, Ruth Briggs King, John A. Kowalko, and John J. Viola.
What is the current status of SB 217?
This bill died with 150th General Assembly (2019-2020). It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 217?
Track SB 217 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 217

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 217

Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →