STATEHOUSE (April 30, 2026) – The governor recently ceremonially signed a new law authored by State Rep. Becky Cash (R-Zionsville) to help increase access to childcare throughout Indiana.
Cash said House Enrolled Act 1177 expands eligibility for the state's employer childcare tax credit to include companies with up to 500 employees. Businesses are eligible for the credit if they offer an employer-run childcare facility for their employees or if they contract with a facility or provider to offer care. Under this law, the credit can be used to help pay for related costs such as operating a childcare facility, employee training and higher wages for staff.
"Ensuring families have access to safe, reliable childcare has been a top priority for me," Cash said. "This new law expands opportunities for providers, increases access for working parents and helps set our youngest Hoosiers on a path to success from day one."
Senate Enrolled Act 4, passed during the 2026 legislative session and supported by Cash, allows the state to augment funds from the Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth (FROG) Fund for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program. This funding could help the state resume enrollment for CCDF vouchers by an estimated 14,000 children.
According to the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), capacity at regulated childcare facilities has increased over the past year, with capacity currently at 175,073 children as of March 2026. This is an increase of 1,322 since March 2025, when capacity was 173,751 children.
Click here to learn more about state childcare resources.
To learn more about these and other new laws passed during the 2026 legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Becky Cash (R-Zionsville) represents House District 25,
which includes portions of Boone and Hendricks counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Becky Cash (R-Zionsville) (second from left) joins Gov. Mike Braun (sitting, center) for the ceremonial signing of House Enrolled Act 1177 on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Cash authored the new law to help increase access to childcare throughout Indiana. Also pictured are bill sponsor State Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon) (far right) and other stakeholders.
