AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10, TITLE 11, AND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES.
Sponsored By: Bryan Townsend (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More help with funeral and burial
The victims' compensation program pays more for final costs. Funeral help rises to up to $7,500. Burial help is up to $2,500. The state keeps a Victims' Compensation Fund to receive penalty money. Each June 30, any unspent balance over $6,000,000 moves to the General Fund. An 11‑member advisory council meets at least four times a year to guide the program.
Clear rights info and email alerts
Police must quickly give victims written information at first contact, including rights, services, compensation help, and safety steps. The DOJ must make a plain‑language victims’ rights summary, in English and Spanish, and accessible formats. DELJIS must print the summary on the back of the victim’s copy of the initial incident report. The DOJ and police must also provide a witness‑rights summary. These parts take effect now and must be in place within 90 days after enactment. Email notices are allowed when funded: the rule starts 10 days after the Secretary publishes a funding notice, and the email system must be set up within 18 months. Body‑camera rules must include a victim’s right to view the part of the video with the victim’s own statements.
Privacy, support, and property protections
Agencies cannot share a victim’s or witness’s home address, phone, school, or work, unless you sign a waiver or a narrow exception applies. This information is not public record. Courts cannot force you to state your address, school, or work in open court unless the judge finds it is necessary. If an advocate is available, you can have them with you at exams, police meetings, court, and parole or pardon hearings. Agencies do not have to provide an advocate. Police must promptly return your property when it is no longer needed as evidence, unless it is contraband or subject to forfeiture.
Stronger notice and voice for victims
Victims and close family can attend most court stages. Judges can exclude them only for good cause, and not at grand juries. Courts must get a victim‑impact statement before sentencing for felonies, listed crimes, and misdemeanors that caused injury or death, unless no victim can be found. The Parole Board must give at least 30 days’ notice of a parole hearing. If you were not notified, you can ask to postpone up to 45 days. The DOJ must send certified notice of pardon hearings to victims and witnesses. You can testify or send a letter. For discretionary expungements, the Attorney General must contact victims, state the victim’s position in court filings, and promptly tell the victim the decision by phone. The Attorney General cannot give out the expungement order. Corrections and the child services department must send victims written notice of projected release, community‑program release, and parole hearing dates.
Job protections for crime victims
Employers cannot refuse to hire, fire, or punish you because you were a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking. Employers must make reasonable accommodations they know you need, like schedule or duty changes, or allowing use of accrued leave. You cannot be disciplined for preparing for or going to criminal proceedings.
Enforcing victims' rights and complaints
The Department of Justice enforces victims’ and witnesses’ rights statewide. Every law‑enforcement agency must name a supervisor to receive and address complaints. After a complaint review, the agency must send you a written summary and, if it finds it complied, explain how to complain to the DOJ. You cannot get money damages for violations. Your court remedy is a writ of mandamus to make an agency follow the law.
Immigrant victims and witnesses protected
State officers cannot detain a victim or a witness only for immigration reasons. They also cannot turn the person over to federal immigration agents without a judge’s warrant. This protection applies when the person is not charged with or convicted of a state crime.
No polygraphs for sex offense victims
Police, prosecutors, and officials cannot ask or require a sex‑offense victim to take a polygraph or similar test. Refusing a test does not block investigation, charges, or prosecution.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Bryan Townsend
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Stephanie L. Hansen
Democratic • Senate
Spiros Mantzavinos
Democratic • Senate
DeShanna U Neal
Democratic • House
Brian Pettyjohn
Republican • Senate
Sophie Phillips
Democratic • House
Marie Pinkney
Democratic • Senate
Cyndie Romer
Democratic • House
John "Jack" Walsh
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
SS 1 for SB 17 - Signed by Governor
8/20/2025GovernorSS 1 for SB 17 - Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 2 NO 1 VACANT
6/26/2025HouseSS 1 for SB 17 - - Defeated In House by Voice Vote
6/26/2025HouseSubstituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 17
6/26/2025SenateSS 1 for SB 17 - Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 4 On Its Merits
6/25/2025HouseSS 1 for SB 17 - Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House
6/20/2025HouseSS 1 for SB 17 - Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 8 On Its Merits
6/18/2025HouseSS 1 for SB 17 - Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House
6/5/2025HouseSS 1 for SB 17 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT
5/22/2025SenateSS 1 for SB 17 - Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits
5/15/2025SenateSubstituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 17
5/7/2025SenateAssigned to Finance Committee in Senate
3/26/2025SenateReported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 5 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits
3/26/2025SenateIntroduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
1/10/2025Senate
Bill Text
Current
1/10/2025
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