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HB 134

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Mara Gorman and 11 co-sponsors

Delaware bill modifies animal cruelty statutes to strengthen protections, penalties, or enforcement mechanisms under state criminal law.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 134

Legislative bill overview

HB 134 amends Delaware's animal cruelty statutes under Title 11 of the Delaware Code. The bill was recently introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, but specific amendments are not yet detailed in available records. The measure appears designed to strengthen or modify existing animal cruelty protections under state law.

Why is this important

Animal cruelty laws establish baseline protections for animals and reflect community standards regarding animal welfare. Amendments to these statutes can increase penalties, expand the types of conduct covered, establish new enforcement mechanisms, or modify definitions—changes that directly affect how cases are prosecuted and what behaviors are criminalized.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of new protections: Unclear whether amendments expand definitions of cruelty to cover additional conduct (e.g., specific animal industries, breeding practices) or narrow existing provisions, which could spark debate between animal welfare advocates and agricultural/business interests
  • Penalty escalation: If the bill increases criminal penalties or adds felony provisions, there may be disagreement over proportionality and incarceration costs versus deterrence benefits
  • Enforcement and resources: Amendments may require additional funding for animal control, law enforcement training, or prosecution—raising questions about budget impact and implementation capacity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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