UPDATING AND CONTINUING DIRECTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES REGARDING REPORTS ON DEMOGRAPHIC DATA IN EARLY CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION POPULATIONS.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Kerri Harris and 2 co-sponsors

Directs DHSS to maintain and update standardized collection, reporting, and use of demographic data for early childhood programs to inform policy and services.

Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES

Overview

HR 26 (Session 153, Delaware) is titled: “Updating and Continuing Directions to the Department of Health and Social Services Regarding Reports on Demographic Data in Early Child Care and Education Populations.” The bill was introduced and assigned to the Health & Human Development Committee in the House on June 4, 2026. Co-sponsor: Cyndie Romer.

Purpose and intent

The bill directs the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to continue and update its requirements or guidance related to collecting and reporting demographic data concerning populations served by early child care and education programs.

The aim is to ensure ongoing, standardized collection, reporting, and use of demographic information to inform policy, program planning, and service delivery within early childhood education and care.

Key provisions and changes

Direction to DHSS: The bill provides continuing instructions to DHSS regarding how demographic data should be collected, analyzed, and reported for early child care and education populations.

Reporting requirements: It reinforces or updates reporting expectations, including what demographic variables to collect (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, gender, income indicators, geographic location), reporting frequency, and the format of reports.

Data use and oversight: The bill likely specifies purposes for using demographic data (policy development, program evaluation, targeting of services) and may address confidentiality, data accuracy, and compliance oversight.

Alignment with existing programs: Provisions are designed to align data collection and reporting with current state early childhood initiatives, funding streams, and accountability measures.

Who or what is affected

DHSS: Primary implementer responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting demographic data for early child care and education populations.

Early child care and education providers: Potentially impacted through standardized data collection requirements and reporting processes.

Policy makers and program administrators: Beneficiaries of standardized demographic data to guide decisions, funding, and program improvements.

Families and communities: Indirectly affected by improved data informing more targeted and effective early childhood services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: Introduced on 2026-06-04 and assigned to the Health & Human Development Committee in the House.

Next steps: The bill would proceed through committee consideration, potential amendments, and, if approved, floor debates and votes in the House, followed by any Senate consideration as part of the Delaware legislative process.

Effective date: The summary does not specify an effective date; typical legislative bills include a future effective date or immediate effect upon enactment unless stated otherwise. Details would be clarified in the final bill text.

Potential impact

Improved data quality and consistency for demographic reporting in early childhood programs.

Enhanced ability to identify disparities, allocate resources, and evaluate program outcomes.

Strengthened transparency and accountability in how demographic information is used to shape early care and education policy.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific stakeholders (providers, policymakers, or researchers) or compare it to existing Delaware statutes on data reporting in early childhood programs.