Bill
HB 387
Delaware HB 387 would raise and gradually expand income eligibility for state child care subsidies over five years.
HB 387 (Session 153, Delaware) – Summary
Overview
- Full title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES TO INCREASE ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLDS OVER FIVE YEARS.
- Purpose: To adjust the eligibility thresholds for Delaware’s child care subsidy program, with the effect of expanding or gradually increasing the income limits (eligibility) over a five-year period.
- Status: Introduced and assigned to the Health & Human Development Committee in the House on April 30, 2026.
- Sponsors: Frank Cooke, Ron Gray, Madinah Wilson-Anton, Brian Pettyjohn, Jeff Hilovsky, Eric Morrison, Melanie Ross Levin (co-sponsors).
Key Provisions (as described by title and typical structure of this policy area)
- Primary change: Amend Title 31 of the Delaware Code to modify how families qualify for state-supported child care subsidies.
- Timeframe: The increases in eligibility thresholds are planned to occur over a five-year period, suggesting a phased expansion rather than an immediate, single-step increase.
- Scope of subsidies: While the exact current thresholds are not provided in the summary, the bill aims to raise the income limits or redefine the eligibility criteria to include more low- to moderate-income families.
- Administration and implementation: Likely involves state agencies that administer child care subsidies (commonly the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services or a related office) to adjust rules, application processes, and management of funding in accordance with the new thresholds.
- Funding and fiscal notes: The bill would typically entail a corresponding budgetary impact, potentially increasing annual subsidy expenditures as more families qualify. A fiscal note or funding plan would accompany the bill during committee review.
Who would be affected
- Eligible populations: Families with children who require child care and currently fall just below the existing income eligibility limits, or households with income levels that would become eligible under the raised thresholds.
- Child care providers: Providers receiving subsidy payments on behalf of eligible families may experience changes in demand for subsidized slots and reimbursement processes.
- Local governments and service agencies: Departments overseeing child care subsidies would implement the new eligibility criteria and manage the updated caseload and funding allocations.
Procedural and timeline considerations
- Committee process: The bill is assigned to the Health & Human Development Committee in the House, where it will be examined for policy merit, fiscal impact, and administrative feasibility.
- Potential milestones: If advanced, the bill would go through committee hearings, possible amendments, and floor votes in the House, followed by Senate consideration and potentially a conference if differences arise.
- Effective date: The summary does not specify an effective date; typically, phased eligibility changes include a stated start date and a schedule (e.g., increases phased over five years) plus a transition period for current recipients.
Notes for readers
- The exact current and proposed income thresholds, specific eligibility criteria (e.g., family size adjustments, work/education requirements), and funding mechanisms are not provided in the summary. The bill’s text and any fiscal notes will clarify these details.
- If you or a stakeholder group would be impacted, monitor committee hearings for testimony on how the five-year phase-in would unfold and any anticipated waitlist implications.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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