Delaware 151st General Assembly (2021-2022) Status: In Committee 17 D cosponsors

HB 144 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FUNDING FOR PREKINDERGARTEN SPECIAL EDUCATION.

Last action — Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

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

This bill died with 151st General Assembly (2021-2022). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

This bill increases funding for preschool special education by adjusting student-to-unit ratios.

The bill revises the funding ratios for preschool special education, creating new units to accommodate children with disabilities. It specifically adjusts the ratio for preschool children aged 3 and up to aid in early education.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families with preschool children with disabilities may benefit from enhanced educational support and resources.

Summary

This Act increases funding for preschool children with disabilities who are not counted in either “intensive” or “complex” special education units by revising the current ratio of 12.8 students per unit to 8.4 students per unit for children 3 years of age and older enrolled in a preschool program. This is the same ratio that will be in effect for K-3 basic special education after the passage of HB86 in 2021. The Act also creates a new “preschool 2” unit with a ratio of 7 students per unit. This is to accommodate 2-year-olds with disabilities who are enrolled in school district programs. The Office of Child Care Licensing requires a 1:7 ratio for classrooms that have 2-year-olds in them. The preschool funding change is effective July 1, 2022.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

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

The bill amends the funding calculations for special education units in Delaware's prekindergarten system by modifying the number of students counted per unit.

  • § 1703

    12.8 → 12.8

    This change specifies the number of students allowed per unit for preschool special education remains at 12.8.

  • § 1703

    12.8 → 8.4

    This change reduces the number of students allowed per unit for preschool 3+ basic special education from 12.8 to 8.4.

  • § 1703

    8.4 → 8.4

    This change maintains the number of students per unit for preschool 2 Basic Special Education at 7.

  • § 1703

    10.2 → 8.4

    This change updates the number of students counted per unit for K-3 Basic Special Education from 10.2 to 8.4.

  • § 1703

    8.4 → 8.4

    This change specifies the number of students allowed per unit for 4-12 Basic Special Education remains at 8.4.

Action History

  1. Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

  2. Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 7 Favorable, 9 On Its Merits

  3. Adopted in Lieu of Original HB 144 and Assigned to Education Committee in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 22 co-sponsors · 36 not signed on

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (22)

Not signed on (36)

36 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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.

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Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 144 do?
This Act increases funding for preschool children with disabilities who are not counted in either “intensive” or “complex” special education units by revising the current ratio of 12.8 students per unit to 8.4 students per unit for children 3 years of age and older enrolled in a preschool program. This is the same ratio that will be in effect for K-3 basic special education after the passage of HB86 in 2021. The Act also creates a new “preschool 2” unit with a ratio of 7 students per unit. This is to accommodate 2-year-olds with disabilities who are enrolled in school district programs. The Office of Child Care Licensing requires a 1:7 ratio for classrooms that have 2-year-olds in them. The preschool funding change is effective July 1, 2022.
Who sponsors HB 144?
HB 144 is sponsored by Kyle Evans Gay, Kendra Johnson (Democratic), Larry Lambert (Democratic), Sean M. Lynn (Democratic), Melissa Minor-Brown (Democratic), Kimberly Williams (Democratic), Laura V. Sturgeon (Democratic), S. Elizabeth Lockman (Democratic), Spiros Mantzavinos (Democratic), Nicole Poore (Democratic), David P. Sokola (Democratic), John "Jack" Walsh (Democratic), William Bush (Democratic), Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha (Democratic), Debra Heffernan (Democratic), Sherae'a Moore (Democratic), Eric Morrison (Democratic), Edward S. Osienski (Democratic), Michael Ramone, David Bentz, Paul S. Baumbach, Sarah McBride, Bruce C. Ennis, Sherry Dorsey Walker, John L. Mitchell, and Valerie Longhurst.
What is the current status of HB 144?
This bill died with 151st General Assembly (2021-2022). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 144?
Track HB 144 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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