SPONSOR: Sen. Gay & Sen. Pettyjohn & Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Schwartzkopf Sens. Hocker, Hoffner, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Pinkney, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend; Reps. Briggs King, Collins, Cooke, Harris, Heffernan, Hilovsky, Longhurst, Morrison, Parker Selby, Romer, Michael Smith, Wilson-Anton DELAWARE STATE SENATE 152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL NO. 59 AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE RATE OF PURCHASE OF CARE FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.
SPONSOR: Sen. Gay & Sen. Pettyjohn & Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Schwartzkopf Sens. Hocker, Hoffner, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Pinkney, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend; Reps. Briggs King, Collins, Cooke, Harris, Heffernan, Hilovsky, Longhurst, Morrison, Parker Selby, Romer, Michael Smith, Wilson-Anton
SPONSOR: Sen. Gay & Sen. Pettyjohn & Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Schwartzkopf
Sens. Hocker, Hoffner, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Pinkney, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend; Reps. Briggs King, Collins, Cooke, Harris, Heffernan, Hilovsky, Longhurst, Morrison, Parker Selby, Romer, Michael Smith, Wilson-Anton
SPONSOR:
Sen. Gay & Sen. Pettyjohn & Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Schwartzkopf
Sens. Hocker, Hoffner, Lockman, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Pinkney, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend; Reps. Briggs King, Collins, Cooke, Harris, Heffernan, Hilovsky, Longhurst, Morrison, Parker Selby, Romer, Michael Smith, Wilson-Anton
DELAWARE STATE SENATE
152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE BILL NO. 59
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE RATE OF PURCHASE OF CARE FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.
WHEREAS, child care is an essential infrastructure for Delawares economy that supports todays workforce ; and WHEREAS, there remain shortages in child care providers throughout the state; and WHEREAS, quality early learning opportunities are critical to childrens development, school readiness, and success in life; and WHEREAS, Kent County and Sussex County Purchase of Care rates have been substantially lower than New Castle County rates for many years; and WHEREAS, many costs across Delaware are the same, including minimum wage, food, and supplies; and WHEREAS, child care programs in at least 16 other states are paid based on a statewide rate and Delaware programs deserve the same support to serve children statewide; and WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Social Services has reported, through Senate Resolution 34, that their current budget funding is sufficient to cover the increased cost for fiscal year 2023. NOW, THEREFORE: BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE: Section 1. The Department of Health and Social Services (Department) shall pay a uniform statewide purchase of care rate to all statewide child care providers, for all age groups of children, that is no less than the New Castle County rate as determined by the 2021 Delaware Local Child Care Market Rate Survey. Section 2. Section 1 of this Act takes effect on May 1 following its enactment into law. The Department shall reimburse child care providers for the month of April 2023 based upon the criteria under Section 1 of this Act.
WHEREAS, child care is an essential infrastructure for Delawares economy that supports todays workforce ; and
WHEREAS, there remain shortages in child care providers throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, quality early learning opportunities are critical to childrens development, school readiness, and success in life; and
WHEREAS, Kent County and Sussex County Purchase of Care rates have been substantially lower than New Castle County rates for many years; and
WHEREAS, many costs across Delaware are the same, including minimum wage, food, and supplies; and
WHEREAS, child care programs in at least 16 other states are paid based on a statewide rate and Delaware programs deserve the same support to serve children statewide; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Social Services has reported, through Senate Resolution 34, that their current budget funding is sufficient to cover the increased cost for fiscal year 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. The Department of Health and Social Services (Department) shall pay a uniform statewide purchase of care rate to all statewide child care providers, for all age groups of children, that is no less than the New Castle County rate as determined by the 2021 Delaware Local Child Care Market Rate Survey.
Section 2. Section 1 of this Act takes effect on May 1 following its enactment into law. The Department shall reimburse child care providers for the month of April 2023 based upon the criteria under Section 1 of this Act.
SYNOPSIS This bill directs the Department to pay a statewide rate to all child care providers that is aligned with the New Castle County rate through existing program funds. This service provides support for families with children birth to 12 years of age with access to child care to enable the caretaker to hold a job, obtain training or meet the special needs of the parent or child. The bill would pay licensed child care providers statewide at the reimbursement rate of New Castle County as determined by the 2021 Delaware Local Child Care Market Rate Survey. Author: Senator Gay
SYNOPSIS
This bill directs the Department to pay a statewide rate to all child care providers that is aligned with the New Castle County rate through existing program funds. This service provides support for families with children birth to 12 years of age with access to child care to enable the caretaker to hold a job, obtain training or meet the special needs of the parent or child. The bill would pay licensed child care providers statewide at the reimbursement rate of New Castle County as determined by the 2021 Delaware Local Child Care Market Rate Survey.
Author: Senator Gay