DelawareHB 213153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES.

Sponsored By: Krista Griffith (Democratic)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New privacy protection for crime victims

Delaware law protects private talks with qualifying victim advocates and records kept while providing victim services from disclosure in court. Covered victims include people identified as crime victims in police reports or formal criminal charges. Coverage also includes people seeking help for domestic violence, abuse, sexual offenses, caregiver abuse, human trafficking, or stalking. Services include crisis help, emergency aid, counseling, legal help, compensation claims, safety planning, and ongoing support. Advocates must work for a public or private victim services agency, or volunteer under an employee’s supervision. They must complete at least 20 hours of advocacy training documented by the agency. Victim-services employees of law-enforcement agencies are not covered. Victims and current or former advocates can claim the protection. Parents, guardians, or custodians can claim it when age or disability prevents the victim from meaningfully participating. They cannot do so if they are the defendant or have conflicting interests. The protection continues when the victim cannot be reached and ends only with a written waiver or the victim’s death. Disclosures required by law remain allowed, including reports required under 16 Del. C. § 903. Another exception applies when a victim expresses intent to act in ways likely to cause imminent death or serious physical injury. The advocate must reasonably believe disclosure is needed to prevent that harm to the victim or others.

Liability protection for victim advocates

Victim advocates are protected from liability for good-faith disclosures under the law’s two exceptions. One covers reports required under 16 Del. C. § 903. The other covers a victim’s stated intent to act in ways likely to cause imminent death or serious physical injury. The advocate must reasonably believe disclosure is needed to prevent that harm to the victim or others. Courts presume the advocate acted in good faith in proceedings arising from these disclosures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Krista Griffith
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Stephanie T. Bolden
Democratic • House
William Bush
Democratic • House
Daniel B. Short
Republican • House
Stephanie L. Hansen
Democratic • Senate
Debra Heffernan
Democratic • House
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Kimberly Williams
Democratic • House
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Democratic • Senate
Spiros Mantzavinos
Democratic • Senate
Michael F. Smith
Republican • House
Eric Morrison
Democratic • House
Nicole Poore
Democratic • Senate
Cyndie Romer
Democratic • House
John "Jack" Walsh
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

HS 1 for HB 213 - Signed by Governor
9/14/2026Governor
HS 1 for HB 213 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
6/23/2026Senate
HS 1 for HB 213 - Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits
5/6/2026Senate
HS 1 for HB 213 - Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
3/17/2026Senate
HS 1 for HB 213 - Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
3/17/2026House
Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 213
3/12/2026House
Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 6 On Its Merits
6/18/2025House
Amendment HA 1 to HB 213 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
6/17/2025House
Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House
6/11/2025House

Bill Text

Current
6/11/2025
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