Delaware would have a unit investigate licensed child care complaints

The education department would have a unit investigate and resolve child care complaints. It would handle complaints about licensed child care facilities and providers in Delaware. The unit would document complaints and set investigation rules. It must coordinate with the state child welfare department and appropriate law enforcement when a complaint involves suspected abuse, neglect, or crime.

The unit would prepare and submit a yearly public report, and the department would make confirmed complaint findings searchable online. The report would summarize complaints, investigation results, and any enforcement steps. The database would cover confirmed complaint findings. The report and database must follow privacy rules. Identifying details about children, families, and complainants must stay private unless the law allows or requires disclosure.

The education department would assign existing child care licensing staff and resources to the unit. The staff and resources would come from the existing Office of Child Care Licensing. The department would reclassify those workers and align their pay with the state salary schedule named in the bill. If enacted, the act would take effect immediately, and the department would have no later than 180 days from enactment to put it in place.