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Read. Follow. Verify.Delaware allows separate thefts in a course of conduct to be grouped into a single prosecution
Last action · September 14, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Frank Cooke and 2 others
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What This Bill Does
Delaware permits the values of items stolen at separate times to be combined into a single theft charge when committed as part of a . The prosecution must prove this course of conduct beyond a reasonable doubt to elevate the penalty for higher dollar value thefts.
Prosecutors can aggregate separate low-level thefts into a single higher-value charge, potentially increasing the applicable criminal penalties for repeat offenders.
- Title 11 of the Delaware Code contains the state's criminal laws, including definitions and penalties for offenses such as theft. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Prosecutors
Prosecutors are permitted to group the values of items stolen at separate times into a single theft charge.
Defendants in theft cases
Defendants face the possibility of having separate thefts combined into a single charge with potentially elevated penalties if a course of conduct is proven.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can multiple thefts committed at different times be combined into one charge?
What must the prosecution prove regarding the course of conduct?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
6 actions- Sep 14, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolledSigned by Governor
- Jun 30, 2026SenateFloorPassed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- Jun 24, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits
- Jun 11, 2026SenateIntroducedAssigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
- Jun 11, 2026HouseFloorPassed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
- Jun 10, 2026HouseIntroducedwas introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 276
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
3/4
Total
21
- Yes
- 21
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (21)
Show 1 earlier roll call
SM
Total
40
- Yes
- 40
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (40)
16 more members
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Aggregation of Separate Theft Offenses
The legislation modifies prosecution practices by formally permitting the aggregation of disparate theft incidents under a defined course of conduct standard.
Sources
legis.delaware.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy35Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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