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SB 48

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Frank Cooke and 7 co-sponsors

Delaware law modified disorderly conduct statute, passing 37-2 in House and 21-0 in Senate before gubernatorial signature, with one rejected amendment suggesting internal disagreement over scope.

Signed by Governor
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 48

Legislative bill overview

SB 48 amends Delaware's disorderly conduct statute (Title 11 of Delaware Code) to modify definitions, penalties, or enforcement procedures related to disorderly conduct offenses. The bill passed both chambers with broad support and was signed into law in September 2025.

Why is this important

Disorderly conduct laws directly affect public safety enforcement and individual freedoms. Changes to these statutes influence how police can respond to disturbances, what conduct can be prosecuted, and what penalties offenders face—impacting everything from street policing to protest activities.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "disorderly conduct" definition: Changes may either broaden police authority to arrest for minor disturbances or narrow it to prevent overreach—depending on the amendment's direction
  • Rejected amendment HA 1: The 8-30 House defeat suggests significant disagreement over a proposed change; the specifics matter greatly to understanding legislative intent
  • Balancing public order with civil liberties: Any modification to disorderly conduct law involves tension between maintaining order and protecting lawful assembly and expression rights

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

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