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HB 59 DE
Became Law

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RELEASE AND PUBLICATION OF THE NAME AND PHOTOGRAPH OF INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH CRIMES OR DELINQUENCY.

DE · session 153 · Assembly / House · bill

A state bill is a proposed law in a state legislature — separate from the U.S. Congress. Learn more →

Introduced Mar 6, 2025

Latest action (Jul 23, 2026) Signed by Governor

Summary

Delaware House Bill 59 extends restrictions on law enforcement's release of suspect names and photographs to include adult suspects. Currently, such restrictions apply only to juveniles, but this bill would prohibit the release or publication of an adult suspect's name or photograph unless the person is charged with or suspected of a felony and the release is necessary to protect public safety.

AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.

Official abstract

This Act extends certain limitations on the publication by law-enforcement of the name and photograph of crime suspects. Currently the Code prohibits the publication of the name and photograph of a juvenile suspect unless the juvenile is charged with a violent felony and the publication is necessary to protect the public’s safety. This Act would prohibit the release or publication of an adult suspect’s name or photograph unless the individual is charged with or suspected of a felony and the release is necessary to protect the public’s safety.

Sponsors (8)

Action history (18)
  1. Mar 6, 2025 Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House · lower
  2. Jun 11, 2025 Amendment HA 1 to HB 59 - Introduced and Placed With Bill · lower
  3. Jun 11, 2025 Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 7 On Its Merits · lower
  4. May 19, 2026 Amendment HA 1 to HB 59 - Passed In House by Voice Vote · lower
  5. May 19, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 23 YES 11 NO 7 ABSENT · lower
  6. May 19, 2026 Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate · upper
  7. Jun 9, 2026 Returned to the House · lower
  8. Jun 9, 2026 Restored in House · lower
  9. Jun 9, 2026 Roll Call Rescinded in House · lower
  10. Jun 9, 2026 Laid On Table in House · lower
  11. Jun 10, 2026 Amendment HA 2 to HB 59 - Introduced and Placed With Bill · lower
  12. Jun 11, 2026 Lifted From Table in House · lower
  13. Jun 11, 2026 Amendment HA 2 to HB 59 - Passed In House by Voice Vote · lower
  14. Jun 11, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 31 YES 8 NO 2 ABSENT · lower
  15. Jun 11, 2026 Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate · upper
  16. Jun 24, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits · upper
  17. Jul 1, 2026 Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 5 NO 1 NOT VOTING · upper
  18. Jul 23, 2026 Signed by Governor · executive

Full text

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