Delaware legislation · 153rd General Assembly
Delaware HB150: Civil Arrest/Courthouses/Prohibit w/o Judicial Warrant
Status: Signed into law, September 3, 2026
AN ACT AMENDING TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CIVIL ARRESTS.
What the bill says
An act amending title 10 of the delaware code relating to civil arrests.
From the introduced text, May 1, 2025:
AN ACT AMENDING TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CIVIL ARRESTS. WHEREAS, the threat that persons may be subject to civil arrest while in Delaware's courthouses or attending judicial proceedings is a threat to the proper functioning of Delaware's government and to the rights enjoyed by all Delawareans; and WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has recognized that "the unhindered and untrammeled functioning of our courts is part of the very foundation of our constitutional democracy," and that a state may therefore adopt measures necessary and appropriate to safeguard the administration of justice by its courts. United States v. Grace, 461 U.S. 171, 178 (1983); and WHEREAS, accordingly, Delaware may regulate entry and access to the courts and activity on courthouse premises and vicinities that threaten the fair and nondiscriminatory administration of justice or the openness of courts; and WHEREAS, public access to Delaware's courts also enhances the truth-finding function of judicial proceedings, safeguarding their integrity; and WHEREAS, protecting persons from civil arrest while in Delaware's courthouses or attending judicial proceedings is necessary to preserve the vital role served by public access to courts. NOW, THEREFORE: Section 1. Amend Part V, Title 10 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows: Chapter 82. Civil Arrests § …
Sponsors
- Mara Gorman (D, 23) · primary sponsor
- Laura Sturgeon (D, 4)
- Eric Morrison (D, 27)
- Cyndie Romer (D, 25)
- Melanie Ross Levin (D, 10)
- Rebecca Snyder-Hall (D, 14)
- Larry Lambert (D, 7)
- Alonna Berry (D, 20)
- Elizabeth Lockman (D, 3)
- Marie Pinkney (D, 13)
- Daniel Cruce (D, 1)
Latest actions
- : HS 1 for HB 150 - Signed by Governor
- : HS 1 for HB 150 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 1 NO 2 NOT VOTING
- : HS 1 for HB 150 - Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
- : HS 1 for HB 150 - Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
- : HS 1 for HB 150 - Passed By House. Votes: 25 YES 13 NO 3 ABSENT
- : HS 1 for HB 150 - - Passed In House by Voice Vote
- : Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 150
- : Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 150
- : Amendment HA 2 to HB 150 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- : Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 6 On Its Merits
Votes
- Passed (SM) (June 25, 2026): 18 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (March 24, 2026): 25 yea, 13 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB150?
- HB150 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Civil Arrest/Courthouses/Prohibit w/o Judicial Warrant.
- What does HB150 do?
- In its own words: An act amending title 10 of the delaware code relating to civil arrests.
- What is the status of HB150?
- Signed into law as of September 3, 2026. Latest action: HS 1 for HB 150 - Signed by Governor (September 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB150?
- Mara Gorman (D, 23), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB150?
- On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142171
Source: official Delaware record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.