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HB 452

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR CHILD-SERVING ENTITIES.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Nnamdi Chukwuocha and 2 co-sponsors

The bill would expand and require background checks for individuals and entities involved in DIAA-governed programs to improve safeguarding of youth in interscholastic athletics.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 13 YES 3 NO 2 NOT VOTING 3 ABSENT
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 452

Overview

HB 452 (Session 153, Delaware) proposes amendments to Title 14 of the Delaware Code concerning the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) and background checks for child-serving entities. The bill was introduced on June 4, 2026, and assigned to the House Education Committee. It has three cosponsors: Stell Selby, Ray Seigfried, and Nnamdi Chukwuocha.

Purpose and intent

  • Strengthen governance and oversight of interscholastic athletics through the DIAA.
  • Enhance safeguarding of youth by requiring or expanding background checks for personnel and entities that serve children in child-serving programs, consistent with Delaware’s emphasis on safeguarding in education and youth activities.

Key provisions and changes (as described by the title and scope)

Note: The summary below reflects the bill’s broad aims based on its title and committee assignment. The actual bill text would specify exact sections, definitions, and procedures. If you review the bill text, pay particular attention to the following areas:

  • DIAA governance and authority

    • Possible reforms to DIAA’s structure, powers, or duties related to regulating interscholastic athletics.
    • Provisions determining how DIAA disciplines, approves, or oversees athletic programs, eligibility, and competitions.

  • Background checks for child-serving entities

    • Expansion or clarification of background-check requirements for entities and individuals that work with children in programs governed or affiliated with DIAA or other child-serving activities.
    • Specification of who must undergo background checks (e.g., coaches, volunteers, administrators, vendors) and the scope (criminal history, abuse and neglect registry checks, etc.).
    • Procedures for obtaining, renewing, and verifying background checks.
    • Penalties or corrective actions for noncompliance.

  • Coordination with other state agencies

    • Provisions for cooperation with state background-check databases, law enforcement, and child-protection agencies.
    • Data privacy and sharing limitations or protections.

  • Implementation timeline

    • Effective dates for new requirements and any phase-in periods for schools, leagues, or DI AA-affiliated programs.

Who would be affected

  • DIAA-affiliated schools and athletic programs participating in interscholastic activities.
  • Coaches, volunteers, and staff involved in DIAA-recognized programs or child-serving activities.
  • Other child-serving entities that partner with or are regulated by the DIAA or state educational authorities, particularly those required to implement background checks.
  • school districts, charter schools, and independent schools operating under Delaware’s education system.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Status: Introduced June 4, 2026 and referred to the House Education Committee.
  • Next steps typically include committee review, potential amendments, and a floor vote in the House, followed by consideration in the Senate (subject to the Legislature’s schedule).
  • If enacted, the bill would include specified effective dates and any transition periods to allow covered entities to come into compliance.

Potential impact

  • Enhanced safety and safeguarding by ensuring up-to-date background checks for individuals in child-serving athletic and related programs.
  • Increased administrative requirements for schools and athletic programs, including record-keeping, verification, and renewal processes.
  • Clarification of DIAA’s regulatory framework and its role in overseeing interscholastic athletics in light of background-check imperatives.
  • Potential cost and resource implications for schools and districts to implement or expand background-check compliance.

If you can provide the exact text of HB 452, I can deliver a more precise, line-by-line summary of each provision and its specific impact.

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

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