SPONSOR:

Sen. Henry & Rep. Williams

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

142nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4

CREATING A TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE AND REPORT ON THE STATE OF HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR THOSE WORKING IN THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY IN DELAWARE AND THE STEPS OTHER STATES HAVE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE PROVISION OF THOSE BENEFITS.

WHEREAS, childcare providers are typically compensated at considerably lower levels than other workers in similar fields; and

WHEREAS, for many childcare providers, health insurance coverage is often out of reach; and

WHEREAS, according to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, the State of Delaware does not have a program that assists childcare providers with health insurance coverage; and

WHEREAS, Delaware childcare providers are not presently permitted to participate in the State system for health insurance; and

WHEREAS, several other states have adopted health insurance programs that assist childcare providers with covering the costs associated with providing basic health insurance coverage for their employees; and

WHEREAS, there is an identifiable need to investigate the possibility of providing health insurance coverage assistance to childcare providers in the State;

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 142nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that there is hereby established a Childcare Health Insurance Task Force (hereinafter "the Task Force").

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall investigate the state of health insurance benefits for those working in the childcare industry.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of its investigation, the Task Force shall review the nature and extent of health insurance coverage offered to childcare providers in other states and the steps each state has considered to address the provisions of those benefits, including an examination of the extent to which such coverage is subsidized by, or available through, the state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall consist of the following members:

  1. The Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families, or the Secretary’s designee who shall serve as chair of the Task Force;

  2. The Insurance Commissioner, or the Commissioner’s designee;

  3. The Chair of the State Employee Benefits Committee, or his or her designee;

  4. Two members of the general public who are employed in the childcare industry, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

  5. Two members of the general public who are the recipients of childcare services in the State, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

  6. One member of the general public who is employed in a supervisory or managerial capacity in the child care industry, to be appointed by the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall organize and hold its first meeting no more than 60 days following the date this resolution is approved by the Governor and shall submit a report to the General Assembly and to the Governor relating its findings and recommendations within 12 months following the date of its first meeting.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon its approval by the Governor, a suitable copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to each entity directed herein to appoint one or more members to the Task Force.

SYNOPSIS

This Joint Resolution establishes a Task Force to investigate and report on the state of health insurance benefits for those working in the childcare industry, including the nature and extent of health insurance coverage offered to childcare providers in other states and the steps each state has considered to address the provision of those benefits, including an examination of the extent to which such coverage is subsidized by, or available through, the state.

Membership on the Task Force consists of various stakeholders in the matter including State agencies, as well as managers and employees in, and recipients of services from, the childcare industry. The Task Force is required to organize and meet within 60 days of this Joint Resolution being approved by the Governor and to issue a report to the Governor and the General Assembly no more than a year from the date of that first meeting.

Author: Senator Henry