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DelawareSB 291153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)Senate

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REPORTING AND REVIEW OF DEATHS OF INDIVIDUALS IN CUSTODY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Sponsored By: Marie Pinkney (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Delaware tracks and reviews custody deaths

Delaware law-enforcement agencies must report deaths in custody to the Statistical Analysis Center using its forms. This includes corrections and youth rehabilitation agencies. Custody covers people pursued, stopped, detained, arrested, held during arrest, transported while incarcerated, or incarcerated. Covered correctional facilities include state-run and contractor-run facilities for adults and youth. Agencies must name an employee contact and answer information requests within a reasonable time. Agencies with no custody deaths must confirm this within 15 calendar days after each federal fiscal year quarter ends. Medical examiners must also mark custody deaths in the Delaware Vital Events Registration System. The Criminal Justice Council oversees federal reporting compliance, and the Center manages reporting for the Council. The Council can issue forms, guidance, rules, and regulations. An annual compliance report is required by December 1 and goes to state leaders, legislative offices, and state archives. By July 1 each year, the Department of Justice must review the prior year's report for accuracy and send its findings to the Council and the same recipients.

Noncompliant law-enforcement agencies lose funding eligibility

Law-enforcement agencies lose access to specified funds after the Criminal Justice Council formally finds they violated the custody-death reporting chapter. The restriction covers specified federal grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, regardless of program name. It also covers Delaware funds under Title 11, Chapter 41, subchapter II. Agencies remain ineligible until the Council finds, through another formal case decision, that they comply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marie Pinkney

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alonna Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mara Gorman

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melissa Minor-Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • Edward S. Osienski

    Democratic • House

  • Laura V. Sturgeon

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 60 • No: 0

House vote • 6/24/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 20 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    7/23/2026Governor

  2. Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT

    6/24/2026House

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 2 Favorable, 8 On Its Merits

    6/10/2026House

  4. Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

    5/21/2026House

  5. Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

    5/20/2026Senate

  6. Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

    5/13/2026Senate

  7. Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate

    4/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    4/23/2026

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