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HB281 • 2025

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.

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.

Children Crime Education Parental Rights
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Last action
2026-01-27
Official status
Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms, penalties beyond classification as felonies, or specific circumstances like accidental harm.

Law About Child Abuse by People in Charge

This law makes it a crime for people who have authority over children to abuse them, with punishments ranging from class E to class A felonies based on the severity of harm and intent.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new rule that says abusing a child when you have power over them is against the law.
  • Defines different levels of this crime as felonies (class A through F) based on how seriously the child was harmed and whether the abuse was intentional, reckless, or knowing.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who have authority over children, like teachers, coaches, and guardians.
  • Children who might be abused by someone in charge of them.

Terms To Know

Felony
A serious crime that can lead to a long time in jail.
Degree of injury
How badly hurt someone is, which helps decide how serious the punishment should be.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify who will enforce these rules.
  • It doesn't explain what happens if someone breaks this new law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-27 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

Official Summary Text

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.
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.