Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 281: 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.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 281 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on January 27, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: 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. Primary sponsor: Mike Smith (Republican), Nicole Poore (Democratic). It lists 12 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (January 27, 2026): Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
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.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 6 · Republican 8
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Smith | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 22 |
| Nicole Poore | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 12 |
| Stephanie Hansen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 10 |
| Kevin Hensley | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 9 |
| Jeff Hilovsky | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 4 |
| Dave Lawson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 15 |
| Spiros Mantzavinos | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 7 |
| Brian Pettyjohn | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 19 |
| Bryant Richardson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 21 |
| Bryan Shupe | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 36 |
| Dave Sokola | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 8 |
| Laura Sturgeon | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 4 |
| Kim Williams | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 19 |
| Dave Wilson | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 18 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House