The question of whether family law/domestic relations cases, especially where juveniles are involved, should be open to the public has been at issue in numerous states. The process and openness of Delaware’s system was previously reviewed by a task force created by the state legislature 15 years ago (HJR 4 of 1997) and now Delaware’s legislature appears prepared to readdress the subject in much the same manner.
SCR 21 would convene a Blue Ribbon Task Force to review the feasibility of opening Family Court proceedings to the public. When originally introduced in 2011, SCR 21 required the task force report by February 15, 2012. A Senate amendment extended the deadline to 2013 and modified the membership of the task force.
The amended resolution was approved by the Senate in March and the House Judiciary committee on June 13.
