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HA1TOHB153 • 2025

This amendment allows a private citizen to assist a peace officer in executing an arrest or detention.

This amendment allows a private citizen to assist a peace officer in executing an arrest or detention.

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
Passed 6/17/25
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The term 'incapacitated' is used without a specific definition in the provided bill excerpt, leaving some uncertainty about its exact scope.

Amendment Allowing Citizens to Help Police with Arrests

This law lets regular people help police officers make arrests if the officer asks for help or is unable to act.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes House Bill No. 153 by adding new rules about when a private citizen can assist with an arrest.
  • Allows a private citizen to assist a peace officer during an arrest or detention upon request of the officer.
  • Permits citizens to help if the peace officer is incapacitated.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Private citizens who may be asked to assist law enforcement or find an officer unable to act.
  • Peace officers attempting to make an arrest or detention.

Terms To Know

Incapacitated
Unable to perform the task of making an arrest, as stated in the law without further definition.
Peace officer
A person with legal authority to enforce laws and make arrests.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text does not define what specific situations count as a peace officer being 'incapacitated'.
  • No effective date is listed in the provided source material.
  • The summary does not list penalties for citizens who assist without meeting these conditions.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-17 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed In House by Voice Vote

Official Summary Text

This amendment allows a private citizen to assist a peace officer in executing an arrest or detention.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Gorman

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 153

AMEND House Bill No. 153 by deleting “

Arrest or detention by

” as it appears on line 4 and inserting in lieu thereof “

(a) Except as set forth under subsection (b) of this section, arrest or detention by

”.

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 153 by inserting the following after line 5 and before line 6:

“

(b) If a peace officer is attempting to effect an arrest or detention, a private citizen may assist upon request of a peace officer or if the peace officer is incapacitated.

”.

SYNOPSIS

This amendment allows a private citizen to assist a peace officer in executing an arrest or detention.