Indiana House Republicans are working to support Hoosier families struggling with finding reliable, affordable child care. Access to affordable child care can often mean the difference between Hoosiers staying in the work force or staying home to care for their children.
At the same time, House Republicans recently advanced House Bill 1177, which encourages employer engagement and takes practical steps to facilitate more investment in child care facilities across Indiana., recently advanced out of the House.
The bill would expand eligibility for the state's employer child care tax credit to include companies with up to 500 employees. Businesses would be eligible for the credit if they offer an employer-run child care facility for their employees or if they contract with a facility or provider to offer care. The credit could be used to help pay for related costs such as operating a child care facility, employee training and higher wages for staff. The bill would also allow local redevelopment commissions to use tax increment financing revenues to encourage the construction, expansion or operations of child care facilities.
The House also passed legislation that would reduce regulatory barriers by preventing future homeowners association contracts from restricting home-based child care when providers are following all applicable child safety laws. This legislation helps support home-based providers and ensures this option remains available to families.
The House Ways and Means Committee is currently reviewing a Senate bill that would make additional funding available for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program by tapping into an existing state fund. CCDF vouchers support low-income Hoosiers seeking access to care.
Together, these bills offer fiscally responsible solutions that support hardworking Hoosier families, keep our economy strong and give Hoosier kids the care they deserve. To learn more about these and other bills being considered by the legislature, visit iga.in.gov.
