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SB 282

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO WRONGFUL CONVICTION COMPENSATION AND SERVICES.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Bush and 2 co-sponsors

Delaware SB 282 updates compensation and services for wrongfully convicted individuals, expanding awards, eligibility, and post-exoneration support.

Signed by Governor
0
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Bill Summary · SB 282

Summary of SB 282 (Delaware, 153rd Session)

Title

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO WRONGFUL CONVICTION COMPENSATION AND SERVICES.

Primary purpose and intent

SB 282 seeks to modify the existing framework in Title 10 of the Delaware Code governing wrongful conviction compensation and related services. The bill is intended to update or expand the provisions that provide remedies, financial compensation, and support services to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and later exonerated.

Key provisions and changes (as introduced)

Note: The text of the bill is not provided here, so this section outlines the typical areas such legislation addresses. When available, the specific details in SB 282 should be consulted to confirm exact language.

  • Compensation framework: Establishes or revises the amount and structure of monetary compensation for individuals wrongfully convicted in Delaware. This may include a base award, annual increases, or multipliers for certain circumstances.
  • Eligibility criteria: Defines who qualifies for compensation (e.g., full exoneration, overturned conviction, disposition of charges, time served, and legal standards of exoneration).
  • Eligibility period and cap: Specifies time limits for filing claims, and any statutory caps on total compensation or repayment of ancillary costs.
  • Services and supports: Expands or clarifies access to post-exoneration services, such as healthcare, mental health support, rehabilitation, job placement assistance, housing, and case management.
  • Nominees and administrative process: Outlines the process for submitting claims, required documentation, review timelines, and the role of a designated state agency or commission (e.g., a Wrongful Conviction Compensation Board) in adjudicating awards.
  • Offsets and coordination: Addresses interactions with other benefits (e.g., federal programs, workers’ compensation, disability benefits) and whether compensation must be offset or coordinated with other income.
  • Costs and funding: Identifies funding sources for compensation and services, including potential appropriations, trust funds, or state allocations.
  • Due process protections: Ensures rights to appeal or litigate certain decisions and sets standards for fairness and transparency in determinations.
  • Sunset or reporting requirements: May require periodic reporting on program outcomes, effectiveness, and usage, or set a sunset date for the program if applicable.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and subsequently exonerated in Delaware.
  • Families and dependents of wrongfully convicted individuals who may benefit from related services.
  • State agencies or entities designated to administer compensation and services (e.g., a department of justice, department of corrections, or a dedicated commission/board).
  • Potentially, other state programs or benefit providers in the event of coordination or offsets with compensation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Current action (as of introduction): Introduced and assigned to the Senate Executive Committee on 2026-04-16.
  • Sponsorship: Co-sponsors include Kyra Hoffner and Bill Bush.
  • Pending committee review, the bill would move through ordinary Delaware Senate and House procedures, including potential amendments, hearings, and votes, before reaching the governor for signature.
  • Effective date: The bill will specify an effective date upon enactment, which could be immediate or have a staged implementation. The exact date should be confirmed in the final enacted language.

Notes

  • The summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose to amend Title 10 related to wrongful conviction compensation and services. For precise provisions, including dollar amounts, eligibility rules, timelines, and Administrative processes, the full text of SB 282 should be consulted once available.
  • As of the latest action, the bill is in the early stage of the legislative process in the Senate.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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