AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD CARE.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Kerri Harris and 14 co-sponsors

HB 447 aims to amend Delaware Title 14 to update licensing, standards, and oversight for child care programs linked to public education.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

Summary of HB 447 (Delaware, 153rd Session)

Purpose and intent

HB 447 is an act to amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code, which governs public education and child-related matters.

The bill’s overarching aim is to modify existing provisions related to child care within the state’s education framework. While the exact text is not provided here, the title indicates changes to standards, administration, funding, licensing, or oversight of child care programs affiliated with or overseen by the Department of Education and/or related state agencies.

Key provisions and changes (as implied by the bill’s scope)

Amendments to Title 14 of the Delaware Code concerning child care. Potential areas of change typically include:

Licensing and regulation of child care facilities (requirements, inspections, compliance).
Qualifications and training standards for child care providers and staff.
Health, safety, and welfare standards for facilities and programs serving children.
Reporting and accountability mechanisms for violations or program deficiencies.
Coordination between child care services and public schools, possibly to align early childhood services with K-12 education.
Funding, grant programs, or subsidies related to child care initiatives.
Administrative processes, such as rulemaking authority, enforcement procedures, or oversight by a state department (likely the Department of Education or a related agency).

Note: The summary above reflects typical components of amendments to Title 14 in the context of child care. The exact statutory text would determine precise provisions, thresholds, and operational changes.

Who would be affected

Children and families utilizing licensed or regulated child care programs in Delaware.

Child care providers, facilities, and staff, who would be subject to updated licensing, training, safety, and reporting requirements.

School districts and public education administrators, if the bill strengthens coordination between child care and school-based services.

State agencies responsible for child care regulation, licensing, and enforcement (likely the Department of Education or a related regulatory body).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced and assigned to the Administration Committee in the House on June 4, 2026.

Next steps typical for such a bill:

Committee review and potential hearings to examine fiscal impact, feasibility, and stakeholder input.
Possible amendments addressing implementation timelines, funding, and enforcement details.
Floor debate and passage in the House, followed by Senate consideration and potential reconciliation.
If enacted, governors’ signature and implementation timeline (which commonly includes phased compliance periods or effective dates after passage).

Additional notes

The bill lists a broad slate of sponsors and co-sponsors, indicating broad legislative interest and bipartisan engagement in the subject of child care.

Specific dollar amounts, regulatory thresholds, timelines, and enforcement details will be found in the bill’s text and any accompanying fiscal notes or committee reports.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary further once the bill’s full text is available, or provide a comparison to existing Delaware child care law to highlight concrete changes.