Delaware 149th General Assembly (2017-2018) Status: Passed Senate 3 D cosponsors

SB 216 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 AND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRUELTY TO DOGS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE HUMANE HANDLING, CARE, AND TREATMENT OF DOGS.

Last action — Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 149th General Assembly (2017-2018). It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

This Act strengthens the shelter requirements for dogs that are kept outside by requiring the following: 1. Adds failure to provide enhanced shelter to the crime of cruelty to animals. 2. Adds a third or subsequent violation of the shelter requirements, to the crime of cruelty to animals. 3. That dogs be provided with enhanced shelter if the dog is outdoors for more than 30 minutes between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am or when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 4. That cages, crates, and carriers intended for travel or short-term, temporary confinement may not be used as outdoor housing facilities. 5. That outdoor housing facilities and enhanced shelters must provide clean and moisture-resistant bedding material and protection from wind. 6. That an enhanced shelter must include the following: minimum space requirements; heat when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; fresh, circulating air when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit; and food and water that do not freeze. This Act also imposes a higher civil penalty for subsequent violations of § 3044F, the specifications for the humane handling, care, and treatment of dogs. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

  2. Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 1 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits

  3. Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

  4. Passed By Senate. Votes: 13 YES 6 NO 1 NOT VOTING 1 ABSENT

  5. Amendment SA 1 to SB 216 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

  6. Lifted From Table in Senate

  7. Amendment SA 1 to SB 216 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

  8. Laid On Table in Senate

  9. Reported Out of Committee (Judicial & Community Affairs) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

  10. Introduced and Assigned to Judicial & Community Affairs Committee in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 52 not signed on · 6 voted No

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (52)

52 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

SM

Passed 13 Yea · 6 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 8202
Democratic 5000
Republican 0400
Total 13602
% of votes cast 62%29%0%10%
How each member voted (21)
Member Party Vote
Anthony Delcollo — Yea
Brian J. Bushweller — Yea
Bruce C. Ennis — Yea
Catherine Cloutier — Yea
Colin Bonini — Nay
David B. McBride — Yea
Ernesto B Lopez — Not Voting
F. Gary Simpson — Nay
Gregory F. Lavelle — Not Voting
Harris B. McDowell — Yea
Margaret Rose Henry — Yea
Robert Marshall — Yea
Bryan Townsend Democratic Yea
David P. Sokola Democratic Yea
John "Jack" Walsh Democratic Yea
Nicole Poore Democratic Yea
Stephanie L. Hansen Democratic Yea
Brian Pettyjohn Republican Nay
Bryant L. Richardson Republican Nay
Dave G. Lawson Republican Nay
Gerald W. Hocker Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 216 do?
This Act strengthens the shelter requirements for dogs that are kept outside by requiring the following: 1. Adds failure to provide enhanced shelter to the crime of cruelty to animals. 2. Adds a third or subsequent violation of the shelter requirements, to the crime of cruelty to animals. 3. That dogs be provided with enhanced shelter if the dog is outdoors for more than 30 minutes between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am or when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 4. That cages, crates, and carriers intended for travel or short-term, temporary confinement may not be used as outdoor housing facilities. 5. That outdoor housing facilities and enhanced shelters must provide clean and moisture-resistant bedding material and protection from wind. 6. That an enhanced shelter must include the following: minimum space requirements; heat when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; fresh, circulating air when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit; and food and water that do not freeze. This Act also imposes a higher civil penalty for subsequent violations of § 3044F, the specifications for the humane handling, care, and treatment of dogs. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Who sponsors SB 216?
SB 216 is sponsored by Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic), John "Jack" Walsh (Democratic), Trey Paradee (Democratic), John J. Viola, Michael Mulrooney, John L. Mitchell, John A. Kowalko, Gerald L. Brady, Margaret Rose Henry, and Andria L. Bennett.
What is the current status of SB 216?
This bill died with 149th General Assembly (2017-2018). It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 216?
Track SB 216 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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