Bill would deny retirement benefits to former educators convicted of sexual abuse

DELAWARE – A bill that aims to protect children inside of the Delaware School system is advancing in Dover.

If passed, House Bill 102 would deny retirement benefits to former educators convicted of sexual abuse against a student.

The bill already has strong bipartisan support, including backing from Senate President Pro Tem, Senator David Sokola.

Bill sponsor Representative Bryan Shupe said he hopes this bill will deter people from committing these types of crimes.

“We are not going to put up with any of this behavior, not only the sexual abuse, but not even solicitation, not even people trying to groom our children and if that happens not only will we go after them in criminal cases, but we will pull any pension or any retirement that they would have accumulated over the years that they were inside of the system,” said Rep. Shupe.

The bill will be heard in the Education & Health Committee this Wednesday.