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DelawareSB 142153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 AND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SEXUAL EXTORTION.

Sponsored By: Brian Pettyjohn (Republican)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Broader Sexual Extortion Protections And Harsher Penalties

Delaware expands sexual extortion to cover intentionally forcing or inducing someone through threats to engage in sexual acts or create images showing nudity or sexual conduct. Covered threats include injury, property damage, other crimes, false accusations, exposing secrets, sharing sexual images, and false testimony or withholding legal information. Other threats calculated to seriously harm someone's health, safety, reputation, or personal relationships also qualify. The usual penalty remains a Class E felony, carrying up to 5 years in prison. The penalty rises to a Class B felony, carrying 2–25 years, when an adult targets a child or vulnerable adult. That higher penalty also applies when the crime causes the victim serious physical injury or death.

Schools Teach Students To Recognize Sexual Extortion

Delaware school districts and charter schools must include sexual extortion laws and penalties in required employee safety training. Students in pre-K through grade 12 receive age-appropriate, evidence-based lessons on body safety, abuse, sexual exploitation, and protecting themselves. Lessons distinguish appropriate from inappropriate conduct and build skills each year. Upon request, parents receive abuse warning signs, tips for discussing body safety and sexual extortion, and reporting and counseling resources. Each district or charter school must give at least one administrator, nurse, or counselor enhanced training beyond standard employee training. That training covers working with law enforcement and Title IX coordinators on suspected violations, including sexual extortion. State child-protection agencies must maintain the programming and review it with the Department of Education at least every three years.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brian Pettyjohn

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Eric Buckson

    Republican • Senate

  • Daniel B. Short

    Republican • House

  • Krista Griffith

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Gerald W. Hocker

    Republican • Senate

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Dave G. Lawson

    Republican • Senate

  • Spiros Mantzavinos

    Democratic • Senate

  • Edward S. Osienski

    Democratic • House

  • Bryant L. Richardson

    Republican • Senate

  • Melanie Ross Levin

    Democratic • House

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. SS 1 for SB 142 - Signed by Governor

    9/19/2025Governor

  2. SS 1 for SB 142 - Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 2 ABSENT 1 VACANT

    6/30/2025House

  3. SS 1 for SB 142 - Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 9 On Its Merits

    6/18/2025House

  4. SS 1 for SB 142 - Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

    6/12/2025House

  5. SS 1 for SB 142 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT

    6/12/2025Senate

  6. SS 1 for SB 142 - - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 3 ABSENT

    6/12/2025Senate

  7. SS 1 for SB 142 - Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

    6/11/2025Senate

  8. Substituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 142

    6/10/2025Senate

  9. Substituted in Senate by SS 1 for SB 142

    6/5/2025Senate

  10. Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate

    5/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    5/13/2025

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