DELAWARE — The Delaware House of Representatives has taken a significant step toward ending capital punishment in the state by passing House Substitute 1 for House Bill 35. The measure passed with bipartisan support, 28 to 12, marking the first stage in amending the Delaware Constitution to prohibit the death penalty. If fully approved, the amendment would add capital punishment to the list of penalties banned under Article I, Section 11 of the state constitution. Next, the legislation moves to the state Senate for committee review. In Delaware, constitutional amendments require approval by a two-thirds majority in two consecutive legislative sessions before becoming law.
