The Overview
If your child's school notifies you of a bullying incident, it no longer has to use a Department of Justice form under Delaware's SB 253, which the governor signed into law on July 23, 2026. Bullying affects a large share of young people: the Associated Press, summarizing a National Academies report, described it as a serious public-health problem whose effects can include poor grades, anxiety, and depression. The law amends Title 14 of the Delaware Code on school bullying and repeals the requirement that schools notify parents using a form generated by the Department of Justice.
What the Law Does
Delaware's SB 253 revises parent-notification rules for school bullying policies and drops the requirement that notices use a form generated by the Department of Justice. The law's synopsis says the change brings the notification requirement in line with the Department of Justice's current practices and procedures related to involvement with student behavior issues.
The law also makes technical corrections to bring existing language in line with the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. The core obligation on schools remains unchanged: when bullying happens, parents hear about it.
Legislative Status
Sen. Laura Sturgeon (D) is one of the bill's eight lead sponsors. The other lead sponsors are Sen. Brian Pettyjohn (R), Sen. Dave Sokola (D), Rep. Melanie Ross Levin (D), Rep. Mara Gorman (D), Rep. Kerri Harris (D), and Rep. Cyndie Romer (D), plus Stell Selby (D).
The bill passed without a single no vote across all three floor votes: the Senate approved it 20-0 on March 12, the House passed it 38-0 on May 21, and the Senate passed it 19-0 on June 18. Across all three votes, lawmakers cast 77 yes votes and zero no votes.
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