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DelawareSB 174 w/ SA 1 + HA 2153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)Senate

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 AND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO AN ANIMAL ABUSE OFFENDER LIST.

Sponsored By: Nicole Poore (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Public registry of animal abusers

The Office of Animal Welfare runs a public online list of adults convicted of animal abuse crimes (cruelty, animal fighting, bestiality, unlawful dog or cat trade, and offenses against law‑enforcement animals). The list shows legal name and other names, date of birth, a booking photo, and the crime. It does not show Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, or other government ID numbers. Court clerks send the judgment and date of birth within 21 days to add people to the list. For this list, a conviction includes guilty or no contest pleas, findings of guilt, and certain other findings set in law. Records stay 5 years for misdemeanors and 15 years for felonies. The Office removes a person after that time if there is no new animal abuse conviction while listed. The Office can set rules to run the list.

Shelters must check abuser list

Before approving any adoption, animal shelters must check the animal abuse offender list. A shelter cannot approve an adoption to anyone on the list. This rule applies at the shelter and at off‑site events the shelter runs. A pet store that only hosts a shelter’s adoption event is exempt if it does not own the animals; the shelter must still follow these checks and denials.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nicole Poore

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Daniel Cruce

    Democratic • Senate

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Debra Heffernan

    Democratic • House

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Melanie Ross Levin

    Democratic • House

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 68 • No: 10

Senate vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 15 • No: 6

House vote • 6/30/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 38 • No: 1

Senate vote • 6/12/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 15 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    8/21/2025Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 6 NO

    6/30/2025Senate

  3. Suspension of Rules in Senate

    6/30/2025Senate

  4. Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 1 NO 1 ABSENT 1 VACANT

    6/30/2025House

  5. Amendment HA 2 to SB 174 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

    6/30/2025House

  6. Amendment HA 1 to SB 174 - Stricken in House

    6/30/2025House

  7. Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 13 On Its Merits

    6/18/2025House

  8. Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House

    6/12/2025House

  9. Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 3 NO 1 NOT VOTING 2 ABSENT

    6/12/2025Senate

  10. Amendment SA 1 to SB 174 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 1 NOT VOTING 2 ABSENT

    6/12/2025Senate

  11. Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits, 1 Unfavorable

    6/11/2025Senate

  12. Introduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate

    6/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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