SB 305 DE

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Became Law

This Act streamlines and modernizes the State Early Childhood Education Program in § 3001 of Title 14, also referred to as State-funded early care and education, as follows: (1) Adds definitions. (2) Provides the Department of Education (Department) with a general grant of authority to provide early childhood educational services. (3) Subject to available appropriations, § 3001(c) of this Act requires the Department to provide free, full-day early childhood educational services for preschool-age children who satisfy eligibility requirements developed by the Department. This provision incorporates elements of epilogue language from the FY 2024 Annual Appropriation Act regarding the Redding Consortium and the Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP). (4) Allows for common standards and processes across programs. (5) Requires the early childhood educational services under § 3001(c) to align with quality standards in the categories of learning environment and curriculum, qualifications and professional development, family and community partnerships, and management and administration. (6) Aligns the length of contracts with the Head Start program, while clarifying that contracts under this section must comply with State procurement standards under Chapter 69 of Title 29. (7) Updates the Code to reflect that the Department uses a quality improvement system instead of Delaware Stars for Early Success. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual and for clarity.

• Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic · primary
• S. Elizabeth Lockman Democratic · primary
• Cyndie Romer Democratic · primary
• Russell Huxtable Democratic · primary
• Kendra Johnson Democratic · primary
• Sean Matthews · primary
• Peter C. Schwartzkopf · primary
• David P. Sokola Democratic · primary
• Eric Morrison Democratic · primary
• Stell Parker Selby · primary
• David L. Wilson Republican · primary
• Sarah McBride · primary

1. May 16, 2024 Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in Senate · upper
2. May 22, 2024 Reported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits · upper
3. Jun 6, 2024 Amendment SA 1 to SB 305 - Introduced and Placed With Bill · upper
4. Jun 11, 2024 Amendment SA 1 to SB 305 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES · upper
5. Jun 11, 2024 Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES · upper
6. Jun 12, 2024 Assigned to Education Committee in House · lower
7. Jun 20, 2024 Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 2 Favorable, 7 On Its Merits, 1 Unfavorable · lower
8. Jun 26, 2024 Passed By House. Votes: 34 YES 3 NO 4 ABSENT · lower
9. Sep 30, 2024 Signed by Governor · executive