HB 23 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 AND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ADMINISTRATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WHO EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE.

Summary

This Act does the following: (1) Makes amendments to the administration of the Ivyane Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund by removing disbursement requirements to allow more flexibility to scholarship recipients, and clarifying that scholarship funds may be used for direct or indirect educational expenses and may not be used to reduce the amount of a waiver under the Delaware Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program. The Act also removes the 1 year residency requirement preceding application for the scholarship. (2) Makes amendments to the administration of the Delaware Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program by codifying responsibility for administering the program with the Office of the Child Advocate (“Office”), and clarifying the responsibilities of the Office and those of the institutions of higher education. The Act clarifies that the waiver applies to both full-time and part-time students and summer and winter classes. The Act also lowers the maximum age of eligibility from 26 to 25, to bring this Program into alignment with the requirements of the Chafee Educational and Training Voucher program. Finally, the Act mandates that Ivyane Davis Scholarships and Chafee Education and Training Vouchers may not be applied to reduce the amount of the waiver and that students eligible for waivers may not apply for or take out loans to reduce the amount of the waiver. (3) Amends the Office of the Child Advocate’s duties outlined in § 9005A of Title 29 of the Delaware Code to include administration of the Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program. (4) Makes technical corrections for uniformity of language and to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Bill Text

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

The bill amends Delaware's code to enhance the administration and eligibility criteria of higher education financial assistance programs for students who have experienced foster care.

• § 3463, Title 14

  higher learning education → higher education

  Changes the terminology to standardize the reference to higher education.

• § 3432A, Title 14

  include → includes

  Corrects a grammatical error in the definition of eligible costs.

• § 3433A, Title 14

  26, and → 27,

  Raises the age limit for eligibility from 26 to 27 years.

• § 3433A, Title 14

  must be a current resident of this State → must be a current resident of this State and

  Clarifies that residency is a requirement for waiver eligibility.

• § 3433A, Title 14

  individual a student → student

  Streamlines language for clarity in the eligibility requirements.

• § 3434A, Title 14

  Department → Office

  Designates the Office as responsible for administering the Program instead of the Department.

• § 3434A, Title 14

  April 1 each year to the Controller General and the Office of Management and Budget the number of students who are receiving a waiver pursuant to this subchapter. → to the Controller General and the Office of Management and Budget by April 1 each year, the number of students receiving a waiver under this subchapter.

  Rephrases and clarifies the reporting timeline for institutions.

• § 3434A, Title 14

  may not include identifying or confidential information on recipients. → that do not include identifying or confidential information of recipients.

  Clarifies the requirements regarding the confidentiality of recipient information in annual summaries.

Action History

1. October 25, 2024

   Signed by Governor

2. June 25, 2024

   Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

3. April 17, 2024

   Reported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

4. March 21, 2024

   Assigned to Education Committee in Senate

5. March 21, 2024

   Passed By House. Votes: 31 YES 10 ABSENT

6. March 13, 2024

   Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 13 On Its Merits

7. February 29, 2024

   Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House

Sponsors

• Laura V. Sturgeon · Primary
• Brian Pettyjohn · Primary
• Kendra Johnson · Primary
• S. Elizabeth Lockman · Primary
• Eric Morrison · Primary
• Peter C. Schwartzkopf · Primary
• Sean Matthews · Primary
• William Bush · Primary
• Krista Griffith · Primary
• Paul S. Baumbach · Primary
• Sherry Dorsey Walker · Primary

Votes

Subjects