Senate Bill 40 is expected to be debated in the Senate this Thursday 4/2/15 at Legislative Hall in Dover. Your presence would help convey the importance of this bill to the public. However, you can follow the progress of the bill on the website of the state legislature: http://legis.delaware.gov/legislature. You can enter the Bill Number in the Bill Quick Search on the top right corner. The Session is GA 148. Bill Type is SB. Number is 40. 

As you can see below, the bill has a variety of sponsors and co-sponsors, both Republicans and Demoncrats from both the Senate and the House. Please write and thank your legislators if they are co-sponsoring the bill. If not, urge your legislators to become co-sponsors. 

The Actions History shows that the bill was reported out of committee with 5 on its merits. “On its merits” in this case means neither favorable nor unfavorable, merely released to be voted on by the entire Senate. Since Senator Blevins was not present during the hearing, I expect that “5” refers to the other five committee members: Committee Chair Henry, and Senators Lavelle, McDowell, Simpson, and Townsend.

Primary Sponsor(s):

Peterson

Additional Sponsor(s):    Sen. Simpson & Rep. Lynn & Rep. Keeley

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Co-Sponsors:

Sens. Bushweller, Cloutier, Henry, McDowell, Sokola, Townsend; Reps. Barbieri, Baumbach, Bolden, Brady, Heffernan, J. Johnson, Kowalko, Matthews, Miro, Potter, Ramone, B. Short, M. Smith, K. Williams

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Introduced On:

03/18/2015

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Long Title:

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DEATH PENALTY.

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Synopsis of Bill:

This Act eliminates capital punishment, except for those convicted of first-degree murder before the effective date of this Act. The procedures for determining punishment, review of punishment, and method of punishment for first-degree murder related to capital punishment would still apply to those convicted of first-degree murder before the effective date of this Act.

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Current Status:

Out of Committee   On  03/25/15

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Actions History:

Mar 25, 2015 – Reported Out of Committee (JUDICIARY) in Senate with 5 On Its Merits Mar 18, 2015 – Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate