Delaware 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 6 D · 4 R cosponsors

HB 387 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES TO INCREASE ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLDS OVER FIVE YEARS.

Last action — Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 30, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    10 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 D · 4 R) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill increases childcare subsidy eligibility thresholds in Delaware over five years.

This bill will gradually raise the eligibility for childcare subsidies from 200% to 275% of the Federal Poverty Level over five years, starting July 1, 2026. It aims to support moderate-income families and will expire on June 30, 2031, unless extended.

What this means for you
  • Families: This bill means more families will qualify for childcare subsidies, easing financial burdens.

Summary

This Act temporarily addresses Delaware's childcare crisis by gradually increasing Purchase of Care eligibility from 200% to 275% FPL over 5 years starting July 1, 2026, reducing benefit cliffs and supporting moderate-income families. It includes a sunset clause expiring June 30, 2031, to allow evaluation and ensure fiscal sustainability, with annual reporting on impacts.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill increases the eligibility thresholds for childcare subsidies in Delaware from 200% to 275% of the Federal Poverty Level over five years.

  • § 3903

    200% → 225%

    Increases initial eligibility threshold to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level starting October 1, 2026.

  • § 3903

    200% → 250%

    Further increases eligibility threshold to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level starting October 1, 2027.

  • § 3903

    200% → 275%

    Final increase of eligibility threshold to 275% of the Federal Poverty Level starting October 1, 2029.

  • § 3903

    FPL → FPL;

    Updates the phrasing regarding the Family Poverty Level (FPL) after the initial threshold increase.

  • § 3903

    the entry threshold → the entry threshold at redetermination

    Clarifies conditions under which families may continue receiving subsidies despite exceeding initial income thresholds.

  • § 3903

    7% → 7% of income:

    Clarifies copayment conditions for families exceeding income thresholds.

  • Section 2

    The amendments made by Section 1 of this Act shall expire on June 30, 2032, unless extended by further act of the General Assembly.

    Establishes a sunset clause ensuring the amendments are temporary and subject to re-evaluation.

  • Section 2

    Upon expiration, eligibility shall revert to 200% of the FPL, subject to any subsequent legislation.

    Specifies that if the amendments expire, eligibility thresholds will return to their original levels.

  • Section 3

    with eligibility changes effective October 1, 2026.

    Sets an effective date for the changes to eligibility thresholds.

Action History

  1. Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

  2. Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 2 Favorable, 7 On Its Merits

  3. Amendment HA 1 to HB 387 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

  4. Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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10 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 52 not signed on

Sponsors (10)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (52)

52 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 52 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 387 do?
This Act temporarily addresses Delaware's childcare crisis by gradually increasing Purchase of Care eligibility from 200% to 275% FPL over 5 years starting July 1, 2026, reducing benefit cliffs and supporting moderate-income families. It includes a sunset clause expiring June 30, 2031, to allow evaluation and ensure fiscal sustainability, with annual reporting on impacts.
Who sponsors HB 387?
HB 387 is sponsored by Brian Pettyjohn (Republican), Claire Snyder-Hall (Democratic), Bryant L. Richardson (Republican), Madinah Wilson-Anton (Democratic), Eric Morrison (Democratic), Ronald E. Gray (Republican), Franklin D. Cooke (Democratic), Kerri Evelyn Harris (Democratic), Jeff Hilovsky (Republican), and Melanie Ross Levin (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 387?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 30, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 387?
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