SB 198 Summary

• Transfers child care facility licensing authority from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF) to the Department of Education's Office of Child Care Licensing throughout Delaware Code.

• Expands the Delaware Early Childhood Council membership to include a representative from the Department of Education's Office of Child Care Licensing and removes references to DSCYF's licensing role.

• Modifies the definition of "institutional child abuse or neglect" to include abuse or neglect occurring in facilities licensed by the Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing, in addition to DSCYF-operated or contracted facilities.

• Updates child placement assessment requirements to allow agencies licensed by the Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing to conduct required assessments in addition to DSCYF.

• Clarifies that the Child Protection Registry remains available internally for child care licensing decisions by the Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing, even after names are removed from the public registry.