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HB 272

BillStateDEHouse
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER.
About This Bill
Latest Action · Jun 17, 2026
Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits
Session
153
Introduced
Mar 5, 2026
Primary Sponsor
Debra Heffernan· primary

Summary

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Like House Bill No. 272, this Substitute creates the new crime of "interference with reproductive health services or exercise of religion”, which is based on a substantially similar federal law (18 U.S.C. § 248). The Superior Court is vested with jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions of this offense. This Substitute for House Bill No. 272 adds clarification by defining “place of worship”. This Substitute also replaces the phrase “discourage any person from obtaining or providing reproductive health services” with “seek to persuade any person with respect to a reproductive health choice or the provision of reproductive health services.” Finally, this Substitute adds language modeled on the similar federal law to clarify that nothing in this law (1) prohibits expressive conduct, including peaceful picketing or demonstration, that is protected under either the U.S. or Delaware Constitution, (2) creates new remedies for interference with activities protected by the free speech or exercise clauses or limit any existing legal remedies for such interference, nor (3) provides exclusive criminal penalties or civil remedies with respect to conduct prohibited under this law.

Co-sponsors (11)

Nicole Poore · primary
Cyndie Romer · primary
Melanie Ross Levin · primary
Josue O Ortega · primary
Trey Paradee · primary
Stell Parker Selby · primary
Mara Gorman · primary
Spiros Mantzavinos · primary
Marie Pinkney · primary
Claire Snyder-Hall · primary
Sarah McBride · primary

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