Bill > HB204

This bill establishes a dedicated Child Care Complaint Investigation Unit within the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) under the Delaware Department of Education to systematically handle complaints about licensed child care providers. The unit will be responsible for receiving, documenting, and investigating complaints related to child care facilities, including potential violations of health and safety standards, licensing requirements, and staff conduct. Key responsibilities include creating clear investigation policies, coordinating with law enforcement and child protective services when necessary, maintaining confidential records of complaints, and preparing an annual public report summarizing complaint outcomes. The unit must also create a public, searchable database of substantiated complaint findings while protecting the privacy of individuals involved. Importantly, the bill requires that the unit be staffed and resourced using existing OCCL personnel and operational resources, meaning no additional funding is needed. The legislation is to be implemented within 90 days of enactment and ensures that complaint investigations will be transparent, systematic, and accountable while maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information about children and families.

Education

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142430