ISSUES AND EXPERIENCE
Kyle has been a leader on issues that matter to Delawareans. Her experience ranges from policy and legislative work to advocacy, programming, community events, and conversations.
Kyle has prioritized access to quality, affordable childcare. While our state has come a long way under her leadership, there is more work to do!
She worked with the administration through data reporting and budget oversight to identify $30 million to be reinvested into childcare at no cost to our taxpayers
Kyle hosted statewide town halls with childcare providers, parents, small business owners, policy makers and local leaders to talk about what our communities need which resulted in legislative action
Kyle is running for Lieutenant Governor because she understands that change requires leadership from the administration as well as the legislature. As a State Senator, Kyle introduce legislation to reduce barriers and increase access to care, but she also worked to implement the same policies through administrative action:
The package included two bills focused on the affordability of childcare: SB 58 Eliminating Purchase of Care Copays and SB 59 Economic justice for childcare providers and standardization of payment rates
Senator Gay's and others' advocacy led to the reallocation of existing funds to eliminate copays and equalize payment rates across each of our three counties. It also led to an increase in Delaware’s investment in early childcare in each of the last two State budgets.
Kyle has prioritized safety for our most vulnerable Delawareans. Families deserve access to safe, trauma-free early education and enrichment. When Kyle saw gaps in safety, she worked to legislate solutions.
Strengthen Delaware’s network of licensed childcare facilities legislative package
SJR 7 Modernize The State’s Childcare System, which directs the Office of Child Care Licensing to adopt an electronic record and filing system.
SB 294 OCCL Pay Schedule removes assigned salary schedules established for child care licensing specialists and child care licensing supervisors employed through the Department of Education. By eliminating this language, the Department of Education will be able to provide equitable compensation to early childhood personnel within the Office of Child Care Licensing.
SB 295 Service Letters, which strengthens the current practice of obtaining service letters for employment in child care facilities to protect children from workers who have engaged in prior acts that are prohibited by the Office of Child Care Licensing
Delawareans have struggled with healthcare access – Kyle has worked with partners like providers, patients, advocates, and healthcare leaders on issues surrounding workforce recruitment and retainment and rural health.
Through both legislative work and her leadership of the Women’s caucus, Kyle has convened healthcare workers to talk about the critical shortage facing our state.
She has collaborated with professional and community organizations like the Delaware Nurses Association, Delaware Healthcare Association, and the Division of Public Health to identify ways to ensure providers are practicing at the top of their license.
HB 160 expanded Delawareans’ access to telehealth services.
Sponsored interstate compacts for Counselors (SB 257), Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists (SB 272), and Occupational Therapists (SB 247) which increases access to specialists and providers in need in Delaware.
The full spectrum of reproductive rights are critical to protect and expand in Delaware. Kyle has been a champion of this work.
Kyle is a founding board member of the First State Abortion Fund
She has done extensive work with maternal mental health advocates, including Delaware's chapter of Postpartum Support International and our own health department to access funding for provider training
Legislatively, Kyle was the prime sponsor of all of the following bills championing reproductive justice including legislation that:
Continues to expand access and reduce barriers to abortion services with:
HB 320, which expanded access to medication abortion
HB 455, which expanded access to procedural abortions
HB 110, which requires commercial insurance, Medicaid, and state employee insurance to cover abortion services
SB 301, which would require that public universities provide referrals for medication abortion and emergency contraception
Protects and supports our patients and providers as they make critical healthcare decisions with:
Expands access and reduce barriers to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare services with:
SB 232, which requires insurance coverage of contraception
SB 106, which updated and modernized the code around maternal mental health
HB 20, requiring that all public schools provide free period products
SB 205, Senate passes bill requiring schools to provide free period products
As an attorney who understands the importance of balancing justice and second chances, criminal justice reform has been of vital importance to Kyle:
SCR 99, Victims’ Bill of Rights, created the Victims' Bill of Rights Committee to study and make findings and recommendations regarding the over-thirty-year-old Victims’ Bill of Rights, which has been in need of comprehensive review and modernization. Delaware’s Victims’ Bill of Rights guarantees that victims of crime have a voice when navigating the criminal justice system.
HB 280 w/ HA 1, Civil Asset Forfeiture
SB 39, Expanding Probation Opportunities for First Time Offenders
Pro Bono work on behalf of juveniles seeking expungements.As a practicing Delaware attorney, Kyle has continually focused her pro bono activities in ways to promote second chances and economic mobility. By assisting with the juvenile expungement process, Kyle is able to help individuals clear their records in order to pursue employment, housing, and other second chances.
Delaware families face many barriers accessing affordable and quality housing. Ensuring safe and affordable housing for our neighbors isn’t optional.
Empowering renters while decreasing a barrier to homeownership - Statewide Rent Reporting Pilot Program
The right to vote is a foundation of our democracy. A democratic government that truly works for the people should do everything in its power to make voting accessible.
While not all of the legislation that Kyle has sponsored passed the General Assembly, the introduction of the issues helped to amplify the work that still needs to be done.
SB 5:Which made voter registration a faster and easier process for thousands of Delawareans. This bill allows for automatic voter registration during the driver’s license application process, as long as the applicant provides a citizenship document - like a passport or birth certificate - to verify their identity. Senate Bill 5 enabled the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles to streamline the voter registration process and increased voter registration by 26%.
Women’s Caucus, Co-Chair
A bipartisan and bicameral coalition of legislators focused on advancing the shared interests of women by advocating for policies that will make Delaware a better place for women to live, work, and raise a family.
Kids Caucus, Co-Chair
A bipartisan and bicameral coalition of legislators focused on advancing policy and legislation to benefit Delaware’s children and families.
Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow 9th Cohort
Unlike any other Fellowship in the nation – this fellowship provides political leaders from across the country the knowledge they need to cultivate smart and effective education agendas.