An Act To Amend Title 14 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Provider Advisory Board And The Extended Learning Opportunities Subcommittee.
The effective sunsetting of the Provider Advisory Board will eliminate an administrative layer that JLOSC found redundant, especially as the OCCL has been able to promulgate necessary regulations without the Board's assistance. With this change, the community anticipates that the goals of early childhood education regulation will continue to be met through the existing framework involving the Delaware Early Childhood Council, thus streamlining processes for early care providers and possibly enhancing the efficiency of regulatory compliance in the child care sector.
House Bill 367 aims to amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code, specifically targeting the Provider Advisory Board and the Extended Learning Opportunities Subcommittee. This legislation is primarily designed to sunset the Provider Advisory Board, an entity that was originally established in 2011 to provide advice to the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) concerning regulations affecting early childhood education, family child care homes, and school-age centers. The move comes after a review by the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee (JLOSC) which concluded that the Board was not effectively meeting its intended statutory functions and that its duties could be better served through other channels, particularly the Delaware Early Childhood Council.
The sentiment regarding HB367 appears to be generally supportive within the context of administrative efficiency. Proponents believe that streamlining the process without the board will simplify communication and implementation of regulations. However, concerns may arise among child care providers regarding potential loss of direct representation in regulatory discussions, as the board provided a platform for voicing specific operational challenges faced by early childhood educators. The discussions around this bill indicate a balancing act between maintaining oversight for regulations while reducing bureaucratic complexity.
Despite the predominantly positive appraisal of eliminating the Provider Advisory Board, some stakeholders might argue that the sunset could dilute the focus on certain specialized needs within the child care community, particularly those of small providers who require tailored regulatory guidance. As the sunset process unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the adjustments made within the OCCL and other existing bodies will adequately fill the gap left by the Provider Advisory Board, ensuring that all aspects of early childhood education continue to receive proper attention and advocacy.