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SB 278

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Darius Brown and 23 co-sponsors

SB 278 would modify Delaware’s child care assistance program to change eligibility, subsidies, provider payments, and administration to improve access and delivery.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT
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Bill Summary · SB 278

Summary of SB 278 (Delaware, 153rd Session)

Title

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.

Purpose and Intent

SB 278 proposes changes to the Delaware child care assistance program within Title 31. The bill is intended to modify aspects of the current program to improve administration, eligibility, funding, or delivery of child care assistance to eligible families. The specific policy goals (e.g., expanding access, adjusting funding formulas, or streamlining processes) are not detailed in the information provided, but the legislation is clearly focused on child care assistance within the Department of Health and Social Services framework.

Key Provisions and Changes (as typically addressed in this type of bill)

Note: The exact text of SB 278 is not provided here, but bills amending Title 31 related to child care assistance commonly address one or more of the following areas. The summary below outlines potential components that such a bill may include. Readers should consult the bill’s actual text for precise language.

  • Eligibility criteria and income thresholds: Possible changes to who qualifies for child care assistance, including income limits, family size considerations, or special-circumstance exemptions.
  • Child care subsidies and benefits: Adjustments to the level of subsidies, co-payment requirements, duration of eligibility, or the scope of covered services (e.g., licensed child care centers, family child care providers, or relative care).
  • Provider eligibility and rate setting: Revisions to requirements for child care providers to participate in the program, as well as adjustments to reimbursement rates or payment methodologies to ensure timely and adequate compensation.
  • Program administration: Modifications to application processes, eligibility determinations, renewal procedures, or oversight and reporting requirements to improve efficiency and reduce administrative bottlenecks.
  • Quality and accessibility enhancements: Provisions aimed at improving care quality, school readiness, or accessibility for underserved populations, including rural or high-need urban areas.
  • Coordination with other benefits: Provisions to coordinate child care assistance with other public benefits (e.g., TANF, SNAP) or with early childhood education initiatives.
  • Fiscal provisions: Budgetary authorization, funding sources, or sunset/transition provisions guiding how the program is funded and monitored.

Who Would be Affected

  • Families and children eligible for or seeking child care assistance: Changes to eligibility, benefits, or application processes could affect access and cost to families.
  • Child care providers: Providers participating in the program may experience changes in reimbursement, standards, or administrative requirements.
  • State and local agencies: Departments responsible for administering child care assistance would implement any new procedures, reporting, or compliance measures.
  • Advocacy and service organizations: Groups supporting families in navigating child care assistance may need to adjust guidance or program outreach strategies.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Introduced and assigned to the Health & Social Services Committee in the Senate on April 15, 2026.
  • Committee consideration: As a bill assigned to the Health & Social Services Committee, it will undergo review, potential amendments, and hearings within this committee before moving to floor action.
  • Next steps in process: If approved by the committee, the bill would proceed to the full Senate, then potentially to the House of Representatives for consideration, and finally to the governor for signature or veto. Specific deadlines or effective dates would be defined in the bill’s text.

Additional Notes

  • The bill lists eight co-sponsors, indicating broad bipartisanship or cross-chamber support among some legislators, which can influence prioritization and advancement through the legislative process.
  • Without the full text, the exact statutory changes, effective dates, funding levels, and impact assessments remain to be confirmed. Readers should review the official bill language for precise details.

If you’d like, I can incorporate the exact sections and statutory amendments from the bill text once provided, and produce a line-by-line impact analysis.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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