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SB 142

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

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Bush and 13 co-sponsors

Delaware criminalizes sexual extortion by amending penal code to penalize coercion through threats of distributing intimate images or information without consent.

Signed by Governor
0
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Bill Summary · SB 142

Legislative bill overview

SB 142 amends Delaware's criminal code to establish new offenses and penalties related to sexual extortion—the practice of coercing individuals through threats to distribute intimate images or information. The bill updates Title 11 (criminal law) and Title 14 (evidence/procedure) to address this form of cybercrime that has grown significantly with digital technology.

Why is this important

Sexual extortion causes severe psychological harm to victims and often targets minors and vulnerable populations. By creating specific statutory language and penalties, Delaware joins other states in directly addressing this crime rather than forcing prosecutors to work with inadequate legacy statutes. The law provides clearer legal recourse for victims and establishes consistent prosecution standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and scope: Determining precise boundaries between sexual extortion, harassment, and legitimate disputes requires careful statutory language; overly broad definitions could capture ambiguous situations
  • First Amendment concerns: Laws restricting threats to distribute intimate images must balance public safety against free speech protections, particularly regarding reporting or disclosure for legitimate purposes
  • Enforcement challenges: Proving intent, identifying perpetrators across digital platforms, and distinguishing consensual threats made in confidence from genuine extortion attempts creates practical complications

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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