DelawareDelaware safety department will study automatic evidence storage
Delaware’s safety department must study evidence storage practices, costs and notification procedures, then report recommendations for possible automatic storage by November 2, 2026.
What it does
The department must study automatic storage of biological evidence from unsolved crimes and crimes whose convicted person remains in custody. The study and report are capped at $15,000.
Argument forA review of storage practices, costs and notification steps could help state officials decide how to preserve evidence in unsolved cases.
Argument againstThe study could use up to $15,000 in public money without requiring the state to adopt automatic storage rules.
More detail
The Department of Safety and Homeland Security must study whether the state could automatically store biological evidence. The study covers biological evidence from crime investigations or prosecutions when the crime remains unsolved, or while a person convicted of it remains in custody. The study and report may cost no more than $15,000. The department must send its report to the Governor, General Assembly, and designated legislative services officials by November 2, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 14Signed by Governor Matt MeyerBecame Law
- Jun 25Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 1 NO 4 ABSENTPassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 23Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 4 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 18Assigned to Administration Committee in HouseMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 18Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENTPassed 1st Chamber
- Jun 18Reported Out of Committee (Executive) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 5 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 17Introduced and Assigned to Executive Committee in SenateIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic SafetyNational Security