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HB 276

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

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Rich Collins and 8 co-sponsors

Delaware bill to amend theft laws under Title 11; specific provisions under committee review as of January 2026.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
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Bill Summary · HB 276

Legislative bill overview

HB 276 proposes amendments to Delaware's theft statutes under Title 11 of the Delaware Code. The bill was recently introduced and assigned to the Judiciary Committee but specific language details are not yet publicly available, making it difficult to assess the exact nature of the modifications being proposed.

Why is this important

Theft laws form the foundation of property crime enforcement and directly affect criminal penalties, prosecution standards, and public safety outcomes. Changes to theft statutes can have significant consequences for defendants, crime victims, and the criminal justice system's operation across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Penalty severity: Any modifications increasing or decreasing penalties for theft offenses will likely face debate between those prioritizing criminal deterrence and those concerned with proportionality and incarceration rates
  • Threshold amounts: Changes to dollar thresholds distinguishing felony from misdemeanor theft could shift which cases prosecutors pursue and affect defendants' criminal records
  • Definition scope: Expanding or narrowing what constitutes "theft" (e.g., inclusion of new property types or circumstances) may affect property owners differently based on business type or asset class

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

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