Subchapter VI. Civic Organizations Maintaining Parkland
TITLE 16
Health and Safety
Safety
CHAPTER 68. EXEMPTIONS FROM CIVIL LIABILITY
Subchapter VI. Civic Organizations Maintaining Parkland
§ 6840. Definitions.
As used in this subchapter:
(1) The term "member of a staff" means any person or entity which:
a. Is a member, board member, director or officer of a civic organization; or
b. Is an employee of a civic organization.
(2) The term "sponsor" means any person or entity which provides financial support to a civic organization through contributions, gifts or payment of dues.
(3) The term "negligent act or omission" shall be defined in accordance with applicable state law, except that such meaning shall not include any reckless act or omission or any grossly negligent act or omission.
(4) The term "civic organization" shall be defined as any nonprofit organization, which is the owner of parkland, or which has contracted with the State or a political subdivision thereof for the maintenance of parkland provided that:
a. The organization is not organized for profit or is qualified as an exempt organization under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended [26 U.S.C. § 501(c)];
b. No part of the net earnings of the organization inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
(5) The term "parkland" shall be defined as real property, including improvements erected thereon and fixtures attached thereto, used primarily for recreational purposes and owned by the State, a political subdivision or a civic organization; provided that:
a. The property is not used by the civic organization or by any other person so as to benefit any officer, trustee, director, shareholder, member, employee, contributor or bondholder of the organization or operator or any other person through the distribution of profits or the payment of excessive compensation;
b. The property is used for recreational purposes and upon liquidation or dissolution of the organization, or abandonment by the organization, none of the assets of the organization or benefits from the property will inure to the benefit of anyone except a community chest, fund, foundation, government, governmental agency, civic association, maintenance corporation or other nonprofit organization;
c. The use of the property is open, without charge, to the public members of the civic organization, or to the residents of the neighborhood, community or subdivision in which the property is located, regardless of sex, race, creed, color or national origin;
d. The property does not have a swimming pool thereon.
66 Del. Laws, c. 169, § 1.;
§ 6841. Limitation on liability of civic organizations maintaining parkland.
(a) No civic organization, as defined in § 6840 of this title, shall be liable under the laws of this State for civil damages resulting from any negligent act or omission of such organization, its staff or any person or entity with which such organization may contract, which act or omission occurs in connection with the construction or maintenance of parkland.
(b) No member of the staff of a civic organization shall be liable under the laws of this State for civil damages resulting from any negligent act or omission of such organization, its staff or any person or entity with which such organization may contract, which act or omission occurs in connection with the construction or maintenance of parkland. The immunity provided in this subsection shall apply only to the extent that said damages exceed either existing liability insurance coverage applicable to the negligent act or omission or the minimum liability insurance coverage required by law if no coverage applicable to the negligent act or omission exists.
(c) No sponsor of any civic organization shall be liable under the laws of this State for civil damages resulting from any negligent act or omission of such organization, its staff or any person or entity with which such organization may contract, which act or omission occurs in connection with the construction or maintenance of parkland. The immunity provided in this subsection shall apply only to the extent that said damages exceed either existing liability insurance coverage applicable to the negligent act or omission or the minimum liability insurance coverage required by law if no coverage applicable to the negligent act or omission exists.
66 Del. Laws, c. 169, § 1.;