HA1TOHB150 • 2025

This Amendment clarifies the language at line 29 of the original bill with regards to the areas surrounding the courthouse that are covered.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Gorman
Last action: 2025-06-17
Official status: Introduced and Placed With Bill
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or consequences for non-compliance by law enforcement officers.

Amendment to Clarify Courthouse Safety Areas

This amendment clarifies which areas around courthouses are covered by certain restrictions and allows civil arrests in courthouses if law enforcement officers give notice to judges.

What This Bill Does

Clarifies the areas around a courthouse that are covered by certain restrictions.
Allows law enforcement officers to conduct civil arrests within a courthouse if they provide written notice to the presiding judge.

Who It Names or Affects

Courthouse visitors and staff
Law enforcement officers

Terms To Know

Civil arrest: When someone is taken into custody for not following certain laws or rules, but it's not a criminal case.
Presiding judge: The main judge in charge of a courtroom during court proceedings.

Limits and Unknowns

It does not specify the consequences if law enforcement officers do not follow the new rules.
Does not explain how this will be enforced or who is responsible for enforcing it.

Bill History

2025-06-17 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Placed With Bill

Official Summary Text

This Amendment clarifies the language at line 29 of the original bill with regards to the areas surrounding the courthouse that are covered. This Amendment also adds a provision that allows law enforcement officers to conduct a civil arrest in a courthouse if the law enforcement officer provides the presiding judge with written notice.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Gorman

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1

HOUSE BILL NO. 150

AMEND House Bill No. 150 by deleting lines 6 and 7 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

necessary and appropriate to safeguard the administration of justice by its courts. Cox v. Louisiana, 379 U.S. 559, 562 (1965); and

”.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 150 by deleting line 29 in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

(b) This prohibition applies to any contiguous public entryways, driveways, sidewalks, parking areas intended to serve the courthouse, grounds, and the immediate surroundings of the courthouse.

”.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 150 by deleting line 30 in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

§ 8203. Prohibition on civil arrest; exceptions.

(a) § 8201 of this title does not apply to arrests made pursuant to a judicial order authorizing such arrest.

(b) A law enforcement officer may conduct a civil arrest within a courthouse if the law enforcement officer provides the presiding judge written notice of the arrest in advance. The written notice to the presiding judge must include the following:

(1) The name of the individual to be arrested.

(2) The nature of the civil violation.

(3) A copy of the citation associated with the listed civil violation or other paperwork that documents the listed civil violation.

(4) The time and location that the arrest will be attempted.

”.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 150 at line 31 by deleting “

8203

” as it appears therein and inserting in lieu thereof “

8204

”.

SYNOPSIS

This Amendment clarifies the language at line 29 of the original bill with regards to the areas surrounding the courthouse that are covered. This Amendment also adds a provision that allows law enforcement officers to conduct a civil arrest in a courthouse if the law enforcement officer provides the presiding judge with written notice.