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DelawareHB 220153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)House

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 AND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE JUVENILE CIVIL CITATION PROGRAM.

Sponsored By: Debra Heffernan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Police must consider citations for eligible youth

The law takes effect 18 months after enactment. Delaware officers must consider a civil citation instead of criminal charges for eligible youth accused of specified offenses. Eligible youth have no prior court finding of delinquency. Any earlier referral to the citation program or another diversion program must be more than one year old. Participation is voluntary and requires parental consent. Victim consent is also required when there is a victim, except for referrals under Delaware Code section 1002. The law preserves that section's separate referral authority. Officers still decide whether to issue a citation; the law does not guarantee one.

Police track youth charges and receive training

Officers must record why they charge eligible youth instead of issuing civil citations for listed offenses. Reasons go into Delaware's criminal justice information system. Covered offenses include criminal mischief, graffiti, possessing graffiti tools, and second- or third-degree trespass. They also include shoplifting, theft, receiving or selling stolen property, and unlawful payment-card use. Disorderly conduct, harassment, and loitering are also covered. Each police agency must report its citation use annually to the state's police training commission. Reports must list cases where eligible youth received charges instead of citations. Continued police training must cover the juvenile citation program, with half of eligible members trained in each two-year period. Uniformed patrol officers and sex-crime investigators must also receive at least two hours of sexual-assault training every four years. That training covers detection, prevention, and prosecution, with half of eligible officers trained in each two-year period. These requirements take effect 18 months after enactment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Debra Heffernan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • William Bush

    Democratic • House

  • Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha

    Democratic • House

  • Mara Gorman

    Democratic • House

  • Krista Griffith

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • Josue O Ortega

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/30/2025

Passed (2/3 required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 6/26/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    8/20/2025Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/30/2025Senate

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 5 On Its Merits

    6/30/2025Senate

  4. Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate

    6/30/2025Senate

  5. Reported Out of Committee (Executive) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits

    6/30/2025Senate

  6. Assigned to Executive Committee in Senate

    6/26/2025Senate

  7. Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 VACANT

    6/26/2025House

  8. Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 3 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits

    6/25/2025House

  9. Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

    6/20/2025House

  10. Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 6 On Its Merits

    6/18/2025House

  11. Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

    6/10/2025House

Bill Text

  • Current

    6/10/2025

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