Delaware House Bill 409
Session 153
An Act To Amend Title 11 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Prostitution.
Active
Passed Senate on Jun 30, 2026
Sponsors
First Action
May 7, 2026
Latest Action
Jun 30, 2026
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill Number
409
State
Delaware
Session
153
checkPassed on June 9, 2026
Motion Text
2/3
House Roll Call Votes
Yes
Yes
Other
Yes
Yes
Yes
Other
Other
Yes
Other
Yes
Yes
Summary
This adds knowingly “operating”, “conducting”, or “advertising” prostitution businesses as acts that constitute promoting prostitution in the second degree under under § 1352 of Title 11. This Act also defines “illicit massage establishment” and clarifies that a person may be guilty of promoting prostitution in the second degree under § 1352 of Title 11 for managing, supervising, and controlling an illicit massage establishment. Likewise, under this Act, a person may be guilty of promoting prostitution in the second degree for operating, conducting, or advertising an illicit massage establishment.
This Act defines “illicit massage establishment” as an establishment that facilitates prostitution using the cover of either of the following:
(1) A massage establishment, as defined in § 5302 of Title 24.
(2) A place where the practice of massage and bodywork, as defined in § 5302 of Title 24, is offered.
This Act’s definition is based on those used by national and state human trafficking prevention organizations.
Law enforcement has noted a trend where an illicit massage establishment is shut down only to be reopened again by the same operators. By ensuring it is clear that promoting prostitution in the second degree is an available offense to charge, this Act intends to dissuade the operation and reopening of illicit massage establishments.
This Act updates internal references elsewhere in the Code to account for the addition of subsections in § 1352 to remove the undesignated paragraph. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Sort by most recent
06/30/2026
Senate
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
06/24/2026
Senate
Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits
06/09/2026
Senate
Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
06/09/2026
House
Passed By House. Votes: 35 YES 1 NO 5 ABSENT
05/20/2026
House
Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 2 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
05/07/2026
House
Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House
Sources
Open States
Record Created
May 8, 2026 5:13:33 AM
Record Updated
Jul 1, 2026 1:22:15 AM