DE SB178

Removes the opt-out provision that allowed private schools to forgo background checks by notifying parents, making background checks mandatory for all child-serving entities including private schools.

Expands the definition of "direct access" to include "unsupervised" contact with children and defines prohibited criminal convictions including specific Title 11 and Title 16 offenses.

Establishes employment prohibitions: lifetime ban for felony assault crimes against children/vulnerable persons, 10 years for assault against adults, 7 years for other violent felonies and misdemeanors against children.

Allows private schools and youth camps to perform name-based Delaware criminal checks through DELJIS and out-of-state checks through private providers (valid for 5 years) as an alternative to full fingerprint-based checks.

Permits child-serving entities to impose longer employment prohibitions than statutorily required for job-related crimes, provided they meet minimum standards.