An Act To Amend Title 14 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Delaware Early Childhood Council.
The bill is a direct response to the findings of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee (JLOSC) regarding the Provider Advisory Board. The committee concluded that the Board was not serving a relevant state need and recommended its sunset alongside the incorporation of its functions into the DECC. By increasing the number of center-based providers on the DECC, the bill aims to improve decision-making processes and ensure that the council’s recommendations are informed by a broader range of experiences in early childhood education.
House Bill 368 seeks to amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code regarding the composition of the Delaware Early Childhood Council (DECC). The primary aim of this legislative change is to increase representation among center-based early care and education providers on the council. Specifically, the bill proposes to expand the number of appointed center-based early care and education providers from two to three, thereby enhancing the council's ability to reflect diverse perspectives within the early childhood education community.
The sentiment surrounding HB 368 appears supportive, particularly among advocates for early childhood education. The proposed changes are seen as a positive step toward strengthening the representation of direct providers within the DECC, leading to more effective advocacy and policymaking. Stakeholders involved in the early care and education sector are encouraged by the intent of the bill to ensure that voices from the field are adequately heard in legislative discussions and decisions.
While there may not be significant opposition to the bill, the discussions indicate that there is a crucial need for ongoing evaluation of the DECC’s structure and effectiveness. The emphasis on increasing provider representation highlights the importance of inclusivity in policymaking for early childhood education. Nevertheless, the successful integration of the roles and responsibilities from the sunset Provider Advisory Board into the DECC will require careful oversight to ensure the council can fulfill its expanded mandate effectively.