AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT, HARASSMENT, AND DISCRIMINATION.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Darius Brown and 9 co-sponsors

Delaware HB 355 strengthens protections against sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination, clarifying definitions and enforcement to better support victims.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

Purpose and Intent

HB 355 is an amendment to Title 10 of the Delaware Code addressing issues related to sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination. The bill’s overarching aim is to clarify, strengthen, or expand existing statutory provisions in these areas. The measure is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced and assigned to the Judiciary Committee in the House, with an amendment (HA 1) introduced on April 16, 2026.

Key Provisions (as drafted and amended)

While the full text of HB 355 is not provided here, the bill’s title and amendment history indicate the following focus areas:

Sexual Assault: Revisions or additions to definitions, procedures, or penalties related to sexual assault. This may include enhancements to reporting obligations, evidentiary standards, or victim protections within the criminal justice process.

Harassment: Updates to statutes that address harassment, potentially expanding coverage to include more contexts (workplaces, schools, or other institutions) and prescribing remedies or penalties for unlawful conduct.

Discrimination: Provisions aimed at prohibiting discrimination, with possible expansions to protected classes, enforcement mechanisms, and remedies for victims.

The attached amendment (HA 1) suggests refinements or clarifications to the bill’s provisions, though the exact textual changes are not provided in the summary.

Who Is Affected

Victims of Sexual Assault and Harassment: The bill may strengthen protections, reporting options, and access to remedies.

Individuals and Entities Subject to Discrimination Laws: Employers, service providers, institutions, and other entities may face updated prohibitions and compliance requirements.

Judicial and Law Enforcement Systems: Potential changes to how cases are processed, evidence standards, and investigative procedures.

Educational and Workplace Settings: If the discrimination and harassment provisions cover schools and workplaces, affiliates within these settings could be affected by new policies or reporting requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Current Status: Introduced and assigned to the Judiciary Committee in the Delaware House.

Amendment Activity: HA 1 was introduced and placed with the bill on April 16, 2026, signaling potential adjustments prior to floor consideration.

Next Steps: The Judiciary Committee will review the bill, consider amendments (including HA 1), and vote on whether to advance to the full House for debate and passage. If approved, the bill would move to the Senate for consideration, where similar process would occur.

Notable Details to Seek in Full Text

Exact definitions added or revised for sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination.

Specific penalties, penalties enhancements, or civil remedies.

Reporting, confidentially protections, and victim support provisions.

Provisions for employer/organization compliance, training requirements, and enforcement mechanisms.

Effective dates and any sunrise or phase-in periods.

Any alignment with federal standards or existing Delaware codes (Title 10 and related chapters).

If you would like, I can retrieve and summarize the exact statutory changes once the bill’s full text and the HA 1 amendment are available, providing precise language, section-by-section analysis, and potential fiscal impacts.

Bill