The Senate Labor Committee heard testimony on SB 248, which would restore and increase the maximum workers' compensation insurance credit for Delaware businesses participating in the workplace safety program, allowing employers to achieve up to 12% premium reductions. No explicit vote on SB 248 was recorded in the transcript, though the bill was circulated for signature.
Senator Lawson asked Christina Miller of the Delaware Department of Insurance what the current workers' compensation insurance rate is, referencing his personal recollection that the rate once reached 3.4% and that Delaware borrowed approximately $71 million from overseas to backfill unemployment insurance funds. Miller responded that unemployment insurance rates would be captured by the Delaware Department of Labor, not the Department of Insurance. The question could not be answered by the witness present, and Vice Chair Walsh stated the committee would obtain the answer and return to Senator Lawson.
“This legislation corrects that imbalance by restoring the full value of the credit, ensuring that employers can achieve up to 12% reductions in their premiums. In doing so, we reaffirm a simple principle. When businesses invest in safety, we should support and incentivize that commitment.”
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Sign in to subscribeSo we have with us here today. Myself, I'll be chairing the meeting. Senator Townsend is the chair of this committee, but he's in the health committee meeting right now. So I'm Jack Walsh, I'm vice chair and I am present along with Senator Nicole Poor, Senator Dan Cruz, Senator Brian Richardson and Senator Dave Lawson. So we do have a quorum. So if you've had a chance to look at the March 11, 2026 meeting minutes. I have a. I have a motion. Do I have a second? I. I have a motion and a second. Make note that the 3-11-2026 meetings, all those. Do we have any objections to the minutes? If not, let them stand. Approved. So on the agenda today we have one bill, Senate Bill 248, and that's sponsored by Senator Nicole for. So take it away, Senator. Thank you. This comes to us from Department of Insurance. This bill strengthens Delaware's workplace safety program, but builds upon the progress made under Senate bill by restoring and increasing the maximum workers compensation insurance credit that had inadvertently reduced under the new Experience Rate plan. For those unfamiliar, the workplace safety program is an optional initiative…
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