HB 272 DE

0likes☆Favorite🔕SubscribeShare

Passed One Chamber

Like House Bill No. 272, this Substitute creates the new crime of "interference with reproductive health services or exercise of religion”, which is based on a substantially similar federal law (18 U.S.C. § 248). The Superior Court is vested with jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions of this offense. This Substitute for House Bill No. 272 adds clarification by defining “place of worship”. This Substitute also replaces the phrase “discourage any person from obtaining or providing reproductive health services” with “seek to persuade any person with respect to a reproductive health choice or the provision of reproductive health services.” Finally, this Substitute adds language modeled on the similar federal law to clarify that nothing in this law (1) prohibits expressive conduct, including peaceful picketing or demonstration, that is protected under either the U.S. or Delaware Constitution, (2) creates new remedies for interference with activities protected by the free speech or exercise clauses or limit any existing legal remedies for such interference, nor (3) provides exclusive criminal penalties or civil remedies with respect to conduct prohibited under this law.

• Debra Heffernan Democratic · primary
• Nicole Poore Democratic · primary
• Cyndie Romer Democratic · primary
• Melanie Ross Levin Democratic · primary
• Josue O Ortega Democratic · primary
• Trey Paradee Democratic · primary
• Stell Parker Selby · primary
• Mara Gorman Democratic · primary
• Spiros Mantzavinos Democratic · primary
• Marie Pinkney Democratic · primary
• Claire Snyder-Hall Democratic · primary
• Sarah McBride · primary

1. Mar 5, 2026 was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 272 · lower
2. Mar 12, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 23 YES 12 NO 1 NOT VOTING 5 ABSENT · lower
3. Mar 12, 2026 Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate · upper
4. Jun 17, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits · upper