DelawareDelaware law limits police sharing of names and photos
After a 90-day delay, Delaware law limits when law-enforcement agencies may share names and photos of juveniles and adults charged with crimes.
What it does
Law-enforcement agencies may release or publish a juvenile’s name or photo only for a violent felony and when needed to protect public safety.
Law-enforcement agencies may release or publish an adult’s name or photo only for a felony and when needed to protect public safety.
Argument forKeeping names and photos private unless release is needed for public safety could reduce risks to people charged with crimes.
Argument againstPeople might have less access to names and photos that could help them identify someone charged with a felony.
More detail
Law-enforcement agencies may not release or publish a juvenile’s name or photo unless both stated conditions are met. A juvenile is a child 17 or younger. The rule covers the child’s name and any image, including a mugshot, if the child has been arrested or suspected of a crime or act of delinquency. The juvenile must be charged with a violent felony, and release must be necessary to protect public safety. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.
Law-enforcement agencies may not release or publish an adult’s name or photo unless both stated conditions are met. The rule covers an adult’s name or photo when the person is charged with a crime. The adult must be charged with a felony, and release must be necessary to protect public safety. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 23Signed by Governor Matt MeyerBecame Law
- Jul 1Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 5 NO 1 NOT VOTINGMajor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 24Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 11Assigned to Judiciary Committee in SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 11Passed By House. Votes: 31 YES 8 NO 2 ABSENTPassed Senate
- Jun 11Amendment HA 2 to HB 59 - Passed In House by Voice VoteMajor
- Jun 11Lifted From Table in House
- Jun 10Amendment HA 2 to HB 59 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Jun 9Laid On Table in House
- Jun 9Roll Call Rescinded in House
- Jun 9Restored in House
- Jun 9Returned to the House
- May 19Assigned to Judiciary Committee in SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: fail.Lower
- May 19Passed By House. Votes: 23 YES 11 NO 7 ABSENTPassed House
- May 19Amendment HA 1 to HB 59 - Passed In House by Voice VoteMajor
- 2025
- Jun 11Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 7 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 11Amendment HA 1 to HB 59 - Introduced and Placed With BillMinor
- Mar 6Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in HouseIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety