Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No direct effect identified.
Risks
- No direct effect identified.
StateDelawareEnacted
HB 276: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THEFT.
Frank Cooke
HB 276 status: Enacted — Signed by Governor (updated Sep 14, 2026).
Source
LegiScan
Confidence
High
Analysis basis
LegiScan full bill text
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
52OUT OF 100
Score:52/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 60/100
Constitutionality85%
Bipartisan90%
Public opinion50%
Bill summary
This House Substitute for House Bill No. 276 permits the value of items stolen at separate times to be grouped and prosecuted as one charge, if the thefts were part of a course of conduct. This House Substitute differs from the original in that it defines “course of conduct” and restructures the statute to place the additional language regarding a course of conduct in the operative language regarding what must be shown in order to elevate the penalty for higher dollar value thefts. This means that the course of conduct is an element of the offense that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The theft statute otherwise remains the same. Like the original bill, this substitute makes technical corrections to conform with the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Reduced inventory shrinkage for retailers
- Consistent legal framework for prosecuting serial theft
- Improved deterrence of organized shoplifting schemes
Risks
- Higher litigation risks for businesses involved in complex theft cases
- Potential for inconsistent judicial interpretation of course-of-conduct
- Increased investigative costs for loss prevention departments
Society
Critical outlook
40%
Benefits
- Increased accountability for habitual offenders
- Better protection for elderly and vulnerable victims
- Clearer definitions of criminal conduct standards
Risks
- Risk of increased incarceration rates for low-level offenders
- Disproportionate impact of aggregate sentencing on vulnerable groups
- Heavy reliance on prosecutorial discretion in grouping crimes
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No direct effect identified.
Risks
- No direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No direct effect identified.
Risks
- No direct effect identified.
Public Health & Safety
Mixed / Neutral
55%
Benefits
- Improved public safety through deterrence of serial offenses
- Streamlined prosecution process for repetitive criminal acts
- Specific sentencing escalators for crimes against vulnerable victims
Risks
- Risk of systemic over-crowding in correctional facilities
- Potential for uneven prosecution across different jurisdictions
- Reduced judicial flexibility in sentencing minor aggregate crimes
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
LegiScan
Official bill text or data from LegiScan.
Confidence
High
Information is complete and verified.
Analysis basis
LegiScan full bill text
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
Aggregation of smaller thefts into a single felony charge may lead to unexpectedly severe sentencing outcomes.
Analysis scope
The bill amends existing Title 11 statutes; full context requires cross-referencing existing definitions of felony/misdemeanor classes.
04
Where it stands
Official recordSigned by Governor
- IntroducedComplete
- CommitteeComplete
- Chamber votesComplete
- Final agreementComplete
- GovernorComplete
- EnactedComplete
05
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06
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