DE HB444

Repeals existing sentencing commission provisions (§§ 6580-6582) and establishes a new Delaware Sentencing Accountability and Guidelines Commission with 11 voting members and 6 non-voting ex-officio members, housed within the Criminal Justice Council.

Requires the Commission to develop revised sentencing guidelines within 2 years, establish a correctional-population forecasting model, and create a community corrections strategy, with initial report due to General Assembly by December 1, 2024.

Makes sentencing guidelines presumptive in all cases, providing narrow ranges for incarceration terms with aggravating and mitigating factors to encourage judicial discretion and individualized sentencing while addressing sentencing disparities across racial, ethnic, gender, and geographic lines.

Mandates biennial review and revision of sentencing guidelines beginning January 1, 2026, taking effect July 1 unless the General Assembly rejects by joint resolution within 30 days of session commencement.

Establishes continuing Commission responsibilities including annual correctional-population projections, investigation of sentencing inequities, impact statements on legislation affecting prison sentences, and omnibus reviews of the sentencing system every 5 years.