DelawareDelaware lawmakers approve first step toward banning the death penalty
If the next General Assembly approves the same change after the next general election, Delaware’s Constitution would bar the state from imposing the death penalty.
What it does
Delaware would bar the state from imposing the death penalty if the next General Assembly passes the same change after the next general election. Each house needs two-thirds support.
Argument forIf approved again, the ban could spare people convicted of crimes from an irreversible death sentence.
Argument againstIf approved again, the ban could limit courts’ sentencing choices by ruling out death sentences in every case.
More detail
The constitutional rule would bar the state from imposing the death penalty. The rule would apply to death penalties imposed in Delaware. The next General Assembly must pass the same change. Two-thirds of all elected members of each house must vote yes. The required second passage must happen after the next general election.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Jun 30Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 7 NOPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 26Reported Out of Committee (Executive) in Senate with 4 Favorable, 1 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jun 24Assigned to Executive Committee in SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 24Passed By House. Votes: 28 YES 12 NO 1 VACANTPassed House
- Jun 17was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 35Introduced
- Jun 30Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 7 NOPassed Senate
Criminal Justice