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HA1TOSB174 • 2025

This amendment exempts an individual from the registry who has been convicted of an offense against law-enforcement animals, under § 1250 of Title 11, if the offense occurred while the individual was engaged in lawful activity protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

This amendment exempts an individual from the registry who has been convicted of an offense against law-enforcement animals, under § 1250 of Title 11, if the offense occurred while the individual was engaged in lawful activity protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Burns
Last action
2025-06-30
Official status
Stricken 6/30/25
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Amendment Exempting Individuals from Animal Registry

This amendment changes a law so that people who hurt police animals might not have to be on an animal registry if they were doing something legal and protected by the First Amendment when it happened.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes a part of the law about hurting police animals.
  • Adds an exemption for people convicted under this law if their actions were lawful and protected by the First Amendment.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who have been convicted of harming police animals.
  • The agencies that maintain registries of those who harm police animals.

Terms To Know

First Amendment
A part of the U.S. Constitution that protects freedom of speech, religion, and other rights.
Registry
A list or record kept by a government agency to track certain individuals.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The amendment was stricken in the House on June 30, 2025.
  • It is unclear if and when this amendment will become law after being stricken.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-30 Delaware General Assembly

    Stricken in House

Official Summary Text

This amendment exempts an individual from the registry who has been convicted of an offense against law-enforcement animals, under § 1250 of Title 11, if the offense occurred while the individual was engaged in lawful activity protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Burns

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

SENATE BILL NO. 174

AMEND Senate Bill No. 174 on line 9 by deleting “

animals.

” as it appears therein and inserting in lieu thereof

“

animals, but not if the offense occurred while the individual was engaged in lawful activity protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

”.

SYNOPSIS

This amendment exempts an individual from the registry who has been convicted of an offense against law-enforcement animals, under § 1250 of Title 11, if the offense occurred while the individual was engaged in lawful activity protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.