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HB 313

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 14 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Dave Lawson and 4 co-sponsors

HB 313 allows including certain DSCYF students in unit counts under Chapter 17, rather than a blanket exclusion, for specific circumstances.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 313

Summary of HB 313 (Session 153, Delaware)

Title

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 14 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill amends existing provisions related to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) and educational services.
  • Specifically, it modifies how DSCYF students are treated in unit counts under Chapter 17 of Title 14, removing a prior limitation that DSCYF students are not included in unit counts, while allowing inclusion in certain circumstances.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Unit Counts under Chapter 17, Title 14: The amendment removes the blanket exclusion that DSCYF students are not included in unit counts. Under the bill, there are circumstances where DSCYF students may be counted in unit totals.
    • This change effectively broadens the scope for counting DSCYF students toward relevant unit-based metrics or calculations, rather than categorically excluding them.
  • Impact on DSCYF and Educational Services: By permitting (in specified circumstances) the inclusion of DSCYF students in unit counts, the bill aligns educational and administrative counting practices with potential goals such as funding, staffing, classroom configuration, or program evaluation.
  • Titles 14 and 29Adjustments: While the synopsis focuses on Chapter 17 of Title 14, the bill is framed as amending Titles 14 and 29, indicating potential related or ancillary adjustments to procedures or authority within those Titles.

Who Would be Affected

  • DSCYF Students: The primary beneficiaries of the change would be students served by the DSCYF system, as their placement in unit counts could affect resource allocation and program counting.
  • Educational Institutions and Programs: Schools and other educational service providers interacting with DSCYF students could experience changes in how student units are counted for reporting, budgeting, or compliance purposes.
  • DSCYF and Education Administrators: State agencies and administrators responsible for maintaining unit counts, reporting, and related compliance would implement the updated counting rules.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status and Actions:
    • 2026-04-23: Amendment HA 1 to HB 313 passed in the House by voice vote (35 YES; 6 ABSENT).
    • 2026-04-23: HB 313 passed by the House and assigned to the Senate Education Committee.
    • 2026-04-09: Amendment HA 1 introduced and placed with the bill.
    • 2026-03-18: Reported out of the House Education Committee with 12 on its merits.
    • 2026-03-05: Introduced and assigned to the House Education Committee.
  • Next Steps: The bill is in the Senate Education Committee as of the latest actions. If advanced, it would move to the Senate floor for consideration and potential passage.

Notable Details

  • The amendment is described as “removing the provision” that excluded DSCYF students from unit counts, but it recognizes that some circumstances still allow inclusion. The exact delineation of those circumstances would be defined in the legislative text or accompanying committee reports.

Summary in Plain Language

HB 313 proposes a targeted adjustment to how certain students connected with the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families are counted for unit-based purposes under Delaware law. Rather than a blanket ban on including DSCYF students in unit counts, the bill allows inclusion in specific circumstances. The practical effect could influence resource planning, funding, and program evaluation related to DSCYF educational services. The bill has progressed through initial committee and House action and is now before the Senate Education Committee.

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

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