DOVER, Del.- Two new bills introduced in Delaware’s 153rd General Assembly could bring big changes to the state’s public education system, including tighter employment standards and stricter consequences for criminal behavior involving students.
House Bill 102, introduced March 27, proposes revoking retirement and disability benefits for teachers convicted of sexually abusing a student. The same would apply to teachers indicted for such offenses who try to avoid prosecution by leaving the country.
The bill is currently in the House Education Committee and will be considered during a hearing expected within the next 12 legislative days.
A separate measure, House Bill 97, also targets employment practices within public schools. If passed, it would require all public school employees who work directly with students to hold a valid permit or license issued by the Department of Education’s Professional Standards Boards.
This requirement would cover roles such as paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, and classroom aides, but would exempt certain roles like custodians and some administrators.
In addition, House Bill 97 proposes raising the maximum supplement amount teachers can receive for taking on extra responsibilities—from the current $1,500 cap to $5,000. The bill also calls on the Department of Education to update job position codes by the 2026-2027 school year.
Both bills are awaiting review in the House Education Committee, where they could see movement in the coming weeks.