Delaware · Senate Bill 269 · 152nd General Assembly

Dogs/Run at Large/Civil Penalties/Increase/Simplify

SB 269 Sponsored by Bryan Townsend Withdrawn

  1. Introduced Apr 16, 2024
  2. In committee Apr 16, 2024
  3. Withdrawn  
  4. Passed the House  
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law  

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

This Act simplifies and in some cases increases the civil penalties for violations of laws related to dogs that run at large, dogs that bite a person or domestic animal while running at large, and dogs that are declared dangerous or potentially dangerous. It also expands the requirements for keeping or maintaining a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog to include provisions related to liability insurance…

Read the full title (190 words)

This Act simplifies and in some cases increases the civil penalties for violations of laws related to dogs that run at large, dogs that bite a person or domestic animal while running at large, and dogs that are declared dangerous or potentially dangerous. It also expands the requirements for keeping or maintaining a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog to include provisions related to liability insurance, licensing, vaccination, microchipping, and leashing. The Act also makes changes to Department procedures relating to dogs, including the following: (1) Removes an unused provision requiring that notification of the impoundment of a running at large dog be made to the dog owner in writing. (2) Gives the Department of Health and Social Services 15 days, rather than 5 days, to file a civil action after impounding a dog and identifying and informing the dog owner. (3) Changes from 48 to 24 the number of hours that a person can confine a dog that is not the person’s own before contacting the Department to report the dog. Finally, the Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Every action

15 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 7 earlier steps
  1. CommitteeIntroduced and Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate · Senate Health & Social Services
  2. CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 5 On Its Merits · Senate Health & Social Services
  3. SenateSubstituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 269
  4. SenateSS 1 for SB 269 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
  5. HouseSS 1 for SB 269 - Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House
  6. SenateSubstituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 269
  7. HouseSS 1 for SB 269 - Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 2 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits
  1. SenateSubstituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 269
  2. SenateSubstituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 269
  3. HouseSS 1 for SB 269 - - Passed In House by Voice Vote
  4. HouseSS 1 for SB 269 - - Passed In House by Voice Vote
  5. HouseSS 1 for SB 269 - - Stricken in House
  6. HouseSS 1 for SB 269 - Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES
  7. SenateSS 1 for SB 269 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
  8. SS 1 for SB 269 - Signed by Governor

Roll calls

No recorded votes on this bill yet.

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 3 cosponsors: 2 Democrats, 1 Republican.

All 3 cosponsors

From Delaware's official records (legis.delaware.gov), checked Nov 1, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.