SPONSOR:

Sen. Hoffner & Rep. Dorsey Walker

Sens. Gay, Huxtable, Pettyjohn, Richardson; Reps. Collins, K. Johnson, Parker Selby, Spiegelman

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 135

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 3002, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 3002. Early Childhood Council. [Effective until July 1, 2024]

(c) In addition to the ECC’s other functions, the ECC shall do all of the following:

(1) Advise and consult with OCCL regarding the development, adoption, promulgation, and amendment of the rules, regulations, and policies required to carry out Chapter 30A of this title with respect to early care and education, family child care homes, and school-age centers.

(2) Encourage OCCL to communicate with persons licensed under Chapter 30A of this title and to facilitate the communication.

(3) Encourage OCCL to enforce Chapter 30A in a manner that recognizes that most child care providers are private businesses that need stable and reasonable regulations.

§ 3002. Early Childhood Council. [Effective July 1, 2024].

(c) In addition to the ECC’s other functions, the ECC shall do all of the following:

(1) Advise and consult with OCCL regarding the development, adoption, promulgation, and amendment of the rules, regulations, and policies required to carry out Chapter 30A of this title with respect to early care and education, family and large family child care homes, and school-age centers.

(2) Encourage OCCL to communicate with individuals and entities licensed under Chapter 30A of this title and to facilitate the communication.

(3) Encourage OCCL to enforce Chapter 30A of this title in a manner that recognizes that most child care providers are private businesses that need stable and reasonable regulations.

SYNOPSIS

This Act relates to the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee's ("Committee") review of the Provider Advisory Board ("Board"). As part of that review, the Committee approved a recommendation to consolidate the functions of the Board into the functions of the Delaware Early Childhood Council ("DECC"). The Board's review is held over to 2024, and Committee staff will monitor and report back to the Committee in 2024 on the implementation of the recommendation to consolidate these functions.

To ensure that the functions consolidated into the DECC remain accurate, this Act reflects the changes to the Board's functions under § 3007A, Title 14 that do not take effect until July 1, 2024.

Author: Senator Hoffner