Bill
HB 375
HB 375 aims to revise Delaware’s public records laws by adjusting which records are public, update access timelines, fees, and privacy protections for government records.
HB 375 (Session 153, Delaware) – Summary
Purpose and intent
- Purpose: To amend Title 13, Title 16, and Title 21 of the Delaware Code related to government records. The bill aims to modify existing rules governing public access to government records and the handling, protection, and transparency of those records.
Key provisions and changes (subject to final text, as introduced)
- Public records access and exemptions: The bill is expected to adjust which records are deemed public and which are exempt from disclosure, potentially expanding or narrowing exemptions for certain government records held by public bodies.
- Access procedures and timelines: Changes may include revised timelines for responding to public records requests, including deadlines for producing records or notifying requesters when more time is needed.
- Fees and costs: The bill may modify fee structures or permissible charges for producing records, such as copying costs, search time, or administrative fees, to align with the updated access framework.
- Records retention and destruction: Provisions could address retention periods for specified records and procedures for the lawful destruction of records, balancing transparency with privacy and security considerations.
- Privacy and security protections: The amendments may introduce or strengthen protections for sensitive personal information within records, while maintaining accountability and public access where appropriate.
- Agency responsibilities: Clarifications or additions to duties for state and local agencies regarding maintenance, disclosure decisions, and oversight of records requests.
Who would be affected
- Government entities: State agencies, counties, and municipalities that maintain records and respond to public records requests.
- Public records requesters: Individuals, journalists, researchers, and organizations seeking access to government records.
- Privacy-sensitive records: Individuals whose personal data may be present in records subject to disclosure, due to enhanced privacy protections or clarified exemptions.
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Committee referral: Introduced and assigned to the Health & Human Development Committee in the House (as of 2026-04-15). The committee will review, amend, and potentially advance the bill.
- Sponsor alignment: Co-sponsors include Mara Gorman; Claire Snyder-Hall; Eric Morrison; Josue Ortega; Marie Pinkney. Their involvement may influence refinement of provisions during committee consideration.
- Effective dates: The bill’s operative dates, applicability, and any transition provisions would be specified in the final text, including effective date(s) upon enactment and any phased implementation.
Notes and considerations
- The exact statutory language will determine the scope of exemptions, the specifics of timelines, and any new privacy safeguards. Readers should consult the bill’s text once available to understand precise changes and any fiscal impact, regulatory burden shifts, or implementation requirements.
- The bill’s passage and potential amendments could affect how Delaware government records are requested, produced, and protected moving forward.
If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to highlight specific sections once the full bill language is released or provide a side-by-side comparison with current law.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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