House Judiciary Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 28, 2026·1h 37m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Judiciary Committee advanced three bills on January 28th: a measure elevating assault charges for attacks on postal workers, a state-level codification of the federal FACE Act protecting clinic entrances and houses of worship, and a bill expanding pension eligibility for EMTs — with HB 272 passing with six affirmative votes and drawing the most contentious debate over vague language, civil penalties, and First Amendment concerns.

Key Actions

·HB 268 – Assault on Postal WorkersNo Vote

+ 2 more actions

Controversies

Coverage of private delivery drivers under HB 268

Representative Cook asked whether FedEx, UPS, and Amazon drivers are covered under HB 268 and stated she would like to see them covered because they drop off deliveries. Representative Osienski confirmed the bill does not cover private carrier drivers, though he noted amendments could be coming.

+ 4 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“In January of 2025, the US DOJ, at the request of the new administration, issued some changing policy for the Face Act. And they said that they will no longer protect clinic entrances, prosecution, civil actions. They would only do it in extraordinary circumstances, but they would still protect anyone's individual's right to free religious exercise.”
Representative Heffernan (bill sponsor, HB 272) — Heffernan was explaining to the committee why she brought HB 272 forward at this time, arguing that a federal policy change left a gap in enforcement that Delaware needed to fill at the state level.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Motion to release HB 268No Vote

Yes (9)Representative Bush, Representative Cook, Representative Gorman, Representative Phillips, Representative Jones Giltner, Representative Polofsky, Representative Postles, Representative Short, Representative Griffith (Chair)

No (1)Representative Lynn

Absent (1)Representative Romer (in another meeting at the time of the vote)

Motion to release HB 272No Vote

Yes (6)Representative Bush, Representative Cook, Representative Gorman, Representative Phillips, Representative Romer, Representative Griffith (Chair)

No (2)Representative Postles, Representative Short

Absent (3)Representative Lynn (had stepped out), Representative Jones Giltner (stepped away for committee obligations), Representative Polofsky (at committee hearing)

Motion to release HB 236No Vote

Yes (5)Representative Cook, Representative Gorman, Representative Phillips, Representative Romer (Vice Chair), Representative Griffith (Chair)

Absent (6)Representative Lynn (not present), Representative Jones Giltner (stepped away for committee hearing), Representative Polofsky (same committee hearing), Representative Postles (at a hearing), Representative Short (at a hearing), Representative Bush (individual yes not verbally confirmed in roll call as transcribed)

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TranscriptPreview

Okay. The company worked on getting Maryland, so they had their. I'm sorry, do you mind? Can you. Yeah, yeah. Okay. We'll talk about it later. Sorry. That's okay. I got a packed agenda today. Yeah, no, I know. I apologize. Sorry. No, you're fine. They do address things, so I did four. Right. Good morning. We're going to start in just a minute, or we're actually online. We're live, just giving everybody a minute to take their seats. For the public here and for those listening, sometimes you will see representatives at this table get up and go somewhere, or you will see representatives who are not here come in session. These Wednesday days are very busy with committee hearings, and so it's not unusual for a representative construction on the Judiciary Committee to also be required to attend another hearing, either to present their own bill or resolution or to take a vote on an issue. But I assure you those members of the Judiciary Committee are always well informed of what we are discussing and come to the table literally with good questions and good conversation. So I'm sure today will be no different. So with that,…

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