HB 188 Summary

• Establishes the Delaware Public Education Equity Ombudsperson Program as a statutory program maintained by the Department of State (replacing a contractual program), to be operated by a non-profit entity under a 3-year contract awarded through a request for proposal process.

• Program provides non-legal advocacy for students and families regarding disparate discipline, inequitable program access, and unfair treatment, particularly for students of low socioeconomic status or members of protected classes, with authority to refer systemic issues and individual matters to attorneys when appropriate.

• Creates the Education Equity Council composed of 11 voting members (family representatives, educators, community members, legislators, and the Secretary of State) and 9 non-voting members (administrators, Secretary of Education, and others) to provide oversight, approve contracts, and recommend solutions to equity problems.

• Requires annual reporting on program activities including number of students served (broken down by demographics, district, and issue type), legal referrals, staffing, identified systemic issues, and legal expenses, while maintaining compliance with student privacy laws.

• Council members serve 3-year staggered terms with a limit of 2 consecutive terms, must meet at least twice annually to review program effectiveness, and may request equity-related data from the Department of Education and school districts.