Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 272: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 272 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on March 5, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER. Primary sponsor: Debra Heffernan (Democratic), Krista Griffith (Democratic), Cyndie Romer (Democratic), Melanie Ross Levin (Democratic), Tizzy Lockman (Democratic). It lists 9 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (June 17, 2026): Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
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.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 14
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debra Heffernan | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 6 |
| Krista Griffith | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 12 |
| Cyndie Romer | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Melanie Ross Levin | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 10 |
| Tizzy Lockman | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 3 |
| Alonna Berry | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 20 |
| Dan Cruce | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 1 |
| Mara Gorman | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 23 |
| Stephanie Hansen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 10 |
| Larry Lambert | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Melissa Minor-Brown | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 17 |
| DeShanna Neal | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 13 |
| Marie Pinkney | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 13 |
| Claire Snyder-Hall | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 14 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits
- Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
- Passed By House. Votes: 23 YES 12 NO 1 NOT VOTING 5 ABSENT
- was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 272