Buckson Seeks Repeal of Police Naming Limits
State Senator Eric Buckson says he will push to repeal a section of House Bill 59 that limits police from naming adult criminal suspects publicly.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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State Senator Eric Buckson said he will seek repeal of a section of House Bill 59, a law that limits police from publicly naming adult criminal suspects. The law took effect October 21, and arrests in a Dover fatal shooting and the Newark Halloween night mass shooting followed under its provisions.
Why it matters
The law withholds the names and mugshots of adult suspects, a change that affects public access to information about criminal cases across Delaware. Buckson said he was misled about the law's implications, and his push for repeal raises questions about how the state balances public safety and transparency in law enforcement.
House Bill 59 took effect October 21, and arrests were made in both a Dover fatal shooting and the Newark Halloween night mass shooting after the law's effective date. Whether the naming restriction will be repealed has not been determined, and the source does not address how it has affected these prosecutions.
The players
Eric Buckson
Buckson is a Delaware state senator who voted for House Bill 59 and now seeks repeal of part of it.
Delaware State Police
The Delaware State Police is the state's primary statewide law enforcement agency and was tasked with implementing House Bill 59.
Fraternal Order of Police
The Fraternal Order of Police is a national labor organization representing police officers, and its Delaware chapter was tasked with implementing House Bill 59.
The details
Under House Bill 59, police are generally prohibited from naming adult criminal suspects publicly, though a name may be released if the individual is charged with or suspected of a felony and release is necessary to protect public safety. Buckson voted for the bill during the early morning hours of the final day of session, and said he relied on the wisdom and understanding of those in the room when voting. The bill was brought to a floor vote without a committee hearing, and Buckson asked on the Senate floor whether the Delaware State Police and the Fraternal Order of Police, which were tasked with implementing it, supported the measure.
Timeline
Early morning hours of the final day of session: Buckson voted for House Bill 59.
October 21: House Bill 59 took effect.
Halloween night: The Newark mass shooting occurred, and arrests followed under the new law.
Next General Assembly: Buckson plans to seek repeal of the felony-exception section.
Legal Context
The effort to repeal part of House Bill 59 places Delaware's naming restriction for adult suspects at the center of a legislative debate over how much information police may release about arrests. Because the bill passed without a committee hearing, critics of the measure have focused on the process as well as its content.
Residents of Delaware will see police naming adult criminal suspects only when a felony charge or suspicion exists and release is necessary to protect public safety. If the repeal effort succeeds, the public could again receive names and mugshots of adult suspects in more cases.
The takeaway
The debate over House Bill 59 shows that changes to how police share information about suspects can be made quickly, so readers who want to follow the outcome should watch the next General Assembly session for any repeal vote.
What happens next
Buckson has said he will seek repeal of the felony-exception section of House Bill 59 in the next General Assembly.
Further reading
Explore more coverage of Law Enforcement policy developments in Delaware and how state rules shape police communication with the public.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WDEL 101.7FM.
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