HB 131 DE
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 6 AND 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PET STORES AND ANIMAL WELFARE.
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Summary
Delaware House Bill 131 prohibits retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats. The bill allows pet stores to partner with animal shelters and rescue organizations to provide space for showcasing dogs and cats available for adoption. The Office of Animal Welfare will enforce the law, with retailers subject to civil penalties of up to $500 for each prohibited sale. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.
Official abstract
This Act fosters the humane treatment of animals and prevents animal cruelty by prohibiting retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats. It further authorizes retail pet stores to collaborate with animal shelters and animal rescue organizations to offer space to showcase dogs or cats for adoption. The Office of Animal Welfare will be responsible for enforcing this Act. Retailers will receive a civil penalty of no more than $500 for each prohibited sale. This Act takes effect 6 months after its enactment into law.
Sponsors (12)
- Kimberly Williams Democratic · primary
- Marie Pinkney Democratic · primary
- John "Jack" Walsh Democratic · primary
- Eric Morrison Democratic · primary
- Claire Snyder-Hall Democratic · primary
- Melanie Ross Levin Democratic · primary
- Spiros Mantzavinos Democratic · primary
- Mara Gorman Democratic · primary
- Sarah McBride · primary
- Stell Parker Selby · primary
- Nicole Poore Democratic · primary
- Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic · primary
Action history (10)
- May 1, 2025 Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House · lower
- May 14, 2025 Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 6 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits · lower
- Jan 20, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 4 NO 1 NOT VOTING 3 ABSENT · lower
- Jan 20, 2026 Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate · upper
- May 13, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits · upper
- May 13, 2026 Amendment SA 1 to HB 131 - Introduced and Placed With Bill · lower
- Jun 16, 2026 Amendment SA 1 to HB 131 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 5 NO 1 ABSENT · upper
- Jun 16, 2026 Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 6 NO · upper
- Jun 18, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES · lower
- Jul 23, 2026 Signed by Governor · executive
Full text
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