AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO OFFENSES INVOLVING PUBLIC INDECENCY.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Darius Brown and 19 co-sponsors

SB 345 amends Delaware Title 11 to revise and expand offenses and penalties related to public indecency, clarifying definitions and enforcement.

Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES

Overview

SB 345 is a proposed Delaware bill in Session 153 that amends Title 11 of the Delaware Code, relating to offenses involving public indecency. The bill was introduced on June 10, 2026, assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and reported out of committee with “4 On Its Merits” on June 24, 2026. Co-sponsors include Dave Wilson, Nicole Poore, Claire Snyder-Hall, and Russ Huxtable.

Purpose and Intent

The primary aim is to modify the statutory framework governing public indecency offenses in Delaware.

While the exact text of the amendments is not provided here, the bill’s title indicates a reform or expansion of offenses and penalties related to public indecency, potentially addressing behavior that occurs in public or in situations accessible to the public, and clarifying elements, definitions, or penalties to enhance enforcement and deterrence.

Key Provisions and Changes (as indicated by its scope)

Amends Title 11 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure) to revise offenses involving public indecency.

Likely areas of change may include:

Definitions of what constitutes public indecency.
Scope of prohibited conduct (e.g., exposure, lewd behavior, sexual acts in public).
Penalties or classifications (misdemeanor vs. felony; graduated penalties).
Age-based or situational safeguards (e.g., protections for minors, school zones, or public venues).
Procedural adjustments (elements of proof, defenses, or enforcement procedures).

The exact provisions, including specific statutory language, dollar amounts, or timelines, are not provided in the summary provided.

Who Would Be Affected

Individuals who engage in conduct that would fall under public indecency offenses as currently or formerly defined in Delaware law.

Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary, who would apply the revised statutory framework.

Public venues and facilities where public indecency offenses might occur, as enforcement could be more explicit or expanded.

Potentially victims or affected communities, depending on whether the changes broaden protections or penalties.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction date: June 10, 2026.

Assigned to: Senate Judiciary Committee.

Committee action: Reported out of Committee with 4 On Its Merits on June 24, 2026, indicating the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation (or at least was advanced for floor consideration) and is likely to move to the Senate floor for debate and a vote.

Additional Notes

The summary does not include the bill’s exact text, definitions, or numerical penalties. For a concrete understanding of how SB 345 would change Delaware law, the final amended language, accompanying fiscal notes, and any committee amendments should be reviewed.

Readers seeking practical implications should monitor subsequent floor actions, potential companion bills, and any impact statements from the Delaware General Assembly.

If you’d like, I can pull the specific text of SB 345 (once available) and provide a line-by-line analysis of changes to existing statutes, including new definitions, offense elements, penalties, and transitional provisions.