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HB 281 Delaware House · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026)

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE BY A PERSON IN A POSITION OF TRUST, AUTHORITY, OR SUPERVISION.

Summary
This bill creates the crime of child abuse by a person in a position of trust, authority, or supervision. This crime may be a class A, B, C, E, or F felony depending on the degree of injury to the victim and whether the defendant acted intentionally, recklessly, or knowingly.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony classification for child abuse by trusted individuals, strengthening legal accountability and victim protection within criminal justice framework.95% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Last action Jan 27, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 27, 2026
Introduced
Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House
lower
12 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Brian Pettyjohn
Brian Pettyjohn
RRepublican
DE
19
P
Photo of Bryan Shupe
Bryan Shupe
RRepublican
DE
36
P
Photo of Bryant Richardson
Bryant Richardson
RRepublican
DE
21
P
Photo of Dave Lawson
Dave Lawson
RRepublican
DE
15
P
Photo of Dave Sokola
Dave Sokola
DDemocratic
DE
8
P
Photo of Dave Wilson
Dave Wilson
RRepublican
DE
18
P
Photo of Jack Walsh
Jack Walsh
DDemocratic
DE
9
P
Photo of Laura Sturgeon
Laura Sturgeon
DDemocratic
DE
4
P
Photo of Melanie Ross Levin
Melanie Ross Levin
DDemocratic
DE
10
P
Photo of Mike Smith
Mike Smith
RRepublican
DE
22
P
Photo of Nicole Poore
Nicole Poore
DDemocratic
DE
12
P
Photo of Spiros Mantzavinos
Spiros Mantzavinos
DDemocratic
DE
7