Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 213: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 213 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on March 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES. Primary sponsor: Krista Griffith (Democratic), Bill Bush (Democratic), Kim Williams (Democratic), Nicole Poore (Democratic). It lists 13 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 14, 2026): Signed by Governor.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
This Act creates a privilege for confidential communications between a victim and a victim advocate. The victim can waive the privilege with a signed waiver. The privilege may also be overcome in certain circumstances, including mandated reporting of child abuse, communications relating to the intent to commit a violent crime, and in state custody and child abuse cases. This Act defines a victim advocate as an employee of a victim services agency, or formal volunteer under the supervision of an employee of a victim services agency who has completed a minimum of 20 hours of advocacy training. This substitute bill incorporates the change from HA1 to House Bill No. 213 regarding the exception for child abuse and state custody cases. It also explicitly excludes law-enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice from the definition of victim services agency. It clarifies that the victim advocate may claim the privilege but only on behalf of the victim. Finally, it adds a process and criteria for a defendant in a criminal case to overcome the privilege in certain circumstances. This is intended to mirror the exception to the therapist-client privilege articulated in Burns v. State, 968 A.2d 1012 (2009).
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 15 · Republican 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krista Griffith | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 12 |
| Bill Bush | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 29 |
| Kim Williams | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 19 |
| Nicole Poore | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 12 |
| Alonna Berry | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 20 |
| Stephanie Bolden | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 2 |
| Stephanie Hansen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 10 |
| Kerri Harris | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 32 |
| Debra Heffernan | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 6 |
| Kyra Hoffner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 14 |
| Tizzy Lockman | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 3 |
| Spiros Mantzavinos | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 7 |
| Eric Morrison | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 27 |
| Cyndie Romer | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Danny Short | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 39 |
| Mike Smith | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 22 |
| Jack Walsh | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Signed by Governor
- Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits
- Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
- Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
- was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 213