SB 278: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Like Senate Bill No. 278, Senate Substitute No. 1 for SB 278 requires that the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) regulations for Purchase of Care (POC), this State's child care assistance program, provide authorization for a child care provider that a child will attend during the summer at any time after January 1 because current regulations do not provide authorization for summer care early enough for families to enroll children in summer camps before camps are full. SS 1 for SB 278 differs from SB 278 as follows: • Does not codify the POC eligibility for children in the custody of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families. • Revises the requirement that a summer child care provider must be authorized after January 1 so it clearly applies to all children receiving POC assistance. • Clarifies that an authorization for a summer child care provider must be provided in addition to all provider authorizations for the child’s care during the school year. Like SB 278, SS 1 for SB 278 does all of the following: • Adds the name of this State's child care assistance program, "Purchase of Care" or "POC" to Chapter 5 of Title 31. • Codifies the current policy that parent copayments are determined based on household size and income. • Requires that parent copayments also be based on whether the child receives assistance for a full or half day of child care. • Provides that the authorization for a summer child care provider provided in advance of attendance may be for purposes of enrollment only and is subject to meeting eligibility requirements at the time the child attends. • Makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. This Act is effective immediately because under § 10113 of Title 29, amendments that make existing regulations consistent with changes in basic law are exempt from the procedural requirements under the Administrative Procedures Act.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 24 · Republican 6

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 17, 2026Signed by Governor
2. July 1, 2026Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT
3. July 1, 2026Suspension of Rules in Senate
4. June 30, 2026Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
5. June 30, 2026Amendment HA 1 to SS 1 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
6. June 23, 2026Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 4 On Its Merits
7. June 18, 2026Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House
8. June 18, 2026Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 9 On Its Merits
9. June 16, 2026Amendment HA 1 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
10. June 4, 2026Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House
11. May 21, 2026Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
12. May 20, 2026Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

Showing 12 most recent of 14 actions. Full history