HB 197 DE
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STALKING.
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Summary
This bill expands the definition of stalking under Delaware law by broadening what constitutes a "course of conduct" for purposes of the stalking statute. It increases the severity of stalking penalties by raising stalking offenses from class F to class D felony and from class G to class E felony. The bill also establishes that if a court determines conduct is constitutionally protected activity, all evidence related to those activities must be excluded from proceedings. Technical corrections conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
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 expands the definition of a “course of conduct” in the stalking statute and also provides that if the court finds as a matter of law that acts subject to this statute are in fact constitutionally protected activities, then all evidence associated with those activities must be excluded. This Act raises stalking under § 1312(c) from a class F to a class D felony. And also raises stalking under § 1312 (b) from a class G to a class E felony. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Sponsors (5)
- Krista Griffith Democratic · primary
- Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic · primary
- Cyndie Romer Democratic · primary
- Claire Snyder-Hall Democratic · primary
- Sarah McBride · primary
Action history (9)
- Jun 5, 2025 Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House · lower
- Jun 11, 2025 Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 6 On Its Merits · lower
- Jun 24, 2025 Amendment HA 1 to HB 197 - Introduced and Placed With Bill · lower
- Jun 30, 2025 Amendment HA 1 to HB 197 - Passed In House by Voice Vote · lower
- Jun 30, 2025 Passed By House. Votes: 37 YES 1 NO 2 ABSENT 1 VACANT · lower
- Jul 1, 2025 Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate · upper
- Jan 21, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 5 On Its Merits · upper
- May 5, 2026 Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES · upper
- May 21, 2026 Signed by Governor · executive
Full text
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