Delaware legislation · 153rd General Assembly
Delaware SB257: Animal Shelters/Licensing/DHSS/Require
Status: Signed into law, September 8, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ANIMAL SHELTER OPERATION.
What the bill says
An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to animal shelter operation.
From the introduced text, May 15, 2026:
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ANIMAL SHELTER OPERATION. Section 1. Amend Subchapter I, Chapter 30F, Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating Delaware Code provisions accordingly: § 3001F. 3000F. Definitions. For purposes of this subchapter: (1) "Animal rescue organization" means an animal welfare society or other non-profit organization that accepts custody of animals for the purpose of finding permanent adoptive homes for the animals and uses a network of foster homes to maintain the animals. An "animal rescue organization" does not do any of the following: a. Maintain a facility or physical structure for housing animals until final disposition. b. Breed animals. c. Obtain animals in exchange for payment or compensation from any person that breeds or brokers the animals. (1) (2) "Animal shelter" means a public or private facility which includes facility that includes a physical structure that structure and which provides temporary or permanent shelter to stray, abandoned, abused, or owner-surrendered animals cats or dogs, and that is operated, owned, or maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, or other nonprofit organization for the purpose of providing for and promoting the welfare, protection, and humane treatment of animals. In addition …
Sponsors
- Nicole Poore (D, 12) · primary sponsor
- Kimberly Williams (D, 19)
- Krista Griffith (D, 12)
- Kendra Johnson (D, 5)
- Daniel Cruce (D, 1)
- Stephanie Hansen (D, 10)
- Kyra Hoffner (D, 14)
- Laura Sturgeon (D, 4)
- John Walsh (D, 9)
- Melanie Ross Levin (D, 10)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
- : Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 10 On Its Merits
- : Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House
- : Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
- : Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits
- : Introduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
Votes
- Passed (3/5) (July 1, 2026): 39 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed (2/3) (June 10, 2026): 20 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB257?
- SB257 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Animal Shelters/Licensing/DHSS/Require.
- What does SB257 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to animal shelter operation.
- What is the status of SB257?
- Signed into law as of September 8, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (September 8, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB257?
- Nicole Poore (D, 12), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB257?
- On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=143324
Source: official Delaware record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.