HB 134 DE
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY.
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Summary
Delaware HB 134 amends animal cruelty statutes to increase penalties for repeat offenses. After two Class A misdemeanor animal cruelty convictions, subsequent violations are elevated to Class F felonies. After the first Class F felony conviction for intentionally killing or causing serious injury to any animal, further violations are elevated to Class E felonies. Any person convicted of a second felony animal cruelty violation is prohibited from owning or possessing any animal for life.
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 Bill updates Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to animal cruelty. After 2 misdemeanor violations of this section, currently class A misdemeanors, all further violations are to be upgraded to class F felonies. Also, after the first felony violation of the statute, currently a class F felony, which involves intentionally killing or causing serious injury to any animal in violation of the statute, all further violations are to be upgraded to class E felonies. Also, any person convicted of a felony violation a second time shall be prohibited from owning or possessing any animal for the remainder of their life without exception.
Sponsors (13)
- Jeffrey N. Spiegelman Republican · primary
- Brian Pettyjohn Republican · primary
- Claire Snyder-Hall Democratic · primary
- Trey Paradee Democratic · primary
- Bryant L. Richardson Republican · primary
- Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic · primary
- Josue O Ortega Democratic · primary
- Daniel B. Short Republican · primary
- Mara Gorman Democratic · primary
- Sarah McBride · primary
- John "Jack" Walsh Democratic · primary
- David L. Wilson Republican · primary
- Nicole Poore Democratic · primary
Action history (7)
- May 6, 2025 Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House · lower
- Jan 21, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 7 On Its Merits · lower
- Jun 18, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES · lower
- Jun 18, 2026 Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate · upper
- Jun 24, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits · upper
- Jul 1, 2026 Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT · upper
- Jul 23, 2026 Signed by Governor · executive
Full text
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