Indiana Republicans want businesses to chip in for employee child care
The law is one of two recent state actions on child care from a Republican-controlled General Assembly that has resisted state funding for child care and early education.
Child Care
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Lack of caregivers puts stress on parents, providers
Child care centers across the state are scrambling to find enough workers to meet demand and parents are struggling to find a child care provider with a vacancy.
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State Budget Committee approves toll road hikes, child care boost
The panel green-lit a deal letting the Indiana Toll Road’s private operator to raise rates twice annually and the governor’s request to spend $200 million expanding a frozen low-income child care program.
Gov. Braun finds $200M in the general fund to boost funding for child care
Some Indiana Democrats said they welcomed the additional investment from the Braun administration but criticized the move as inadequate.
Lawmakers, private sector make progress on efforts to lower the cost of child care
HEA 1177 expands the tax credits available to businesses that help employees with the cost of child care. SEA 4 allows but does not require FSSA to use dollars from the Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth fund on child care vouchers.
Five topics that could shape state lawmakers’ work in 2026
There are a slew of topics legislators plan to tackle in 2026, including rising energy costs, tax codes, child care and education, and possibly a new casino in one of Indiana’s urban centers.
State piloting program that would allow employees to bring infants to work
The effort is part of Gov. Mike Braun’s “Family First Indiana” agenda and builds on expanded parental leave policies announced earlier this year.
Indianapolis YMCA seeks $750K to help make up for state cuts to child care
The state previously announced that it would cut Child Care and Development Fund vouchers beginning next week.
Indiana slashing reimbursement rates for child care providers
Child care providers around Indiana will see reimbursement rate cuts of 10% to 35% as the state’s Family and Social Services Administration tries to close a $225 million funding gap.
Poll: Most adults say child care costs are ‘major’ problem
About three-quarters of U.S. adults see child care costs as a “major problem,” but only about half say helping working families pay for child care should be a “high priority” for the federal government, according to the poll.
Latest report on the well-being of Hoosier youth gives Indiana a mixed report card
The 146-page Indiana Kids Count Data Book ranked Indiana 27th in the country for overall child well-being.
Committee unanimously supports bill to streamline Indiana’s child care licensing process
The bill would allow single-owner child care companies or nonprofits, like YMCAs, to open multiple locations under one license.
Report: State loses out on $4.2B annually due to child care shortage
Broadly speaking, the $4.22 billion in untapped economic potential falls into two categories: workplace disruptions—such as worker absenteeism and employee turnover—and lost tax dollars from unearned wages.
Indiana political candidates can use donations for child care, election officials say
Indiana’s campaign finance laws generally bar candidates and their campaigns from spending contributions for “primarily personal” purposes, but do say candidates can use funds to “defray any expense reasonably related” to campaigning or service in elected office.
Fund helps Hoosier employers expand child care options for employees
More employers are taking it upon themselves to help workers find child care, a costly service that can be elusive for working Hoosier parents. A new state fund might be able to help.
Indiana legislators send bill addressing child care costs to governor
Indiana is among a growing number of Republican-led states proposing legislative solutions to tackle the availability and affordability of child care.
Indiana Senate approves child care proposal as House punts on health care merger oversight
Senate Republicans on Monday pushed the Legislature’s latest effort to improve child care access for Hoosier families closer to the finish line. But Democrats say the bill loosens regulations for providers and could put children at risk.
Bills striking some child care regulations pass the Senate, House
But while the Senate passed its bill—a priority for the Republican caucus—with almost the full support of the chamber, the House version faced adversity from Democrats.
Statehouse Democrats’ agenda targets child care, drug prices, more
Indiana Statehouse Democrats from both the Senate and House came together Thursday afternoon to release a bicameral agenda, which they said underlined their commitment to big-ticket issues even in a short session.
Child care legislation coming, but costs make passage iffy
Indiana lawmakers expect to file and advance significant child care legislation during the upcoming session, after years of advocacy from Hoosier parents, child care providers and worker-strapped businesses.
Early learning committee recommends new child care standards
The new set of standards would evaluate child care centers around the state and be rolled out over three years starting in 2024.