Current:Home > MyIndiana lawmakers push ease child care regulations and incentivize industry’s workers -ProsperityStream Academy
Indiana lawmakers push ease child care regulations and incentivize industry’s workers
View
Date:2025-04-17 11:28:49
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana lawmakers’ plan to prioritize legislation that would make child care more available and affordable that is largely on track as they near a key deadline in this year’s legislative session, though Democrats warn that financial support in the state’s next budget would be essential to meeting those goals.
The Legislature would need to pass bills through at least one chamber by Tuesday to keep them alive for the session, but lawmakers often alter or add proposals to other legislation before the session ends in mid-March.
Indiana is among a number of states proposing legislative solutions this year to tackle the availability and affordability of child care, with a few measures seeking to undo regulations and incentivize business clearing early deadlines in the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
The average cost for child care in Indiana is $166 per week, according to Brighter Futures Indiana, a partnership between the state’s Family and Social Services Administration and the nonprofit Early Learning Indiana. The younger the child, the more expensive the care.
Senate and House Republicans, and Gov. Eric Holcomb listed improving access and affordability as a top priority for this session.
Senators approved an agenda item Tuesday with bipartisan support meant to address accessibility to care. The bill would expand eligibility to a child care subsidy program for employees of the field with kids of their own. Lawmakers in Colorado and Nebraska have introduced similar measures. In Nebraska, the state is looking to implement a program that would cover 100% of child care costs for professionals in the field.
The Indiana bill would also lower the minimum age of child care workers to 18 and, in some instances, to 16.
Child care organizations and other business groups support the proposal. Holcomb does as well, and has included parts of it in his own annual agenda. Supporters say the lack of affordable child care in Indiana keeps people out of all corners of the workforce.
“It is an infrastructure issue for the state of Indiana,” Republican state Sen. Ed Charbonneau, who authored the bill, told lawmakers Tuesday. “It affects every aspect of our economy.”
Although Democratic lawmakers supported the bill in its floor vote, they said attention must remain on the issue into next year, when the state creates a new budget.
Another bill awaiting a Senate vote before Tuesday’s deadline would provide property tax exemptions in varying degree for for-profit centers and companies that establish on-site child care for their employees.
Across the Statehouse, lawmakers want to roll back some regulations on child care providers. A Republican-backed bill would make a facility license good for three years, up from two, and allow certain child care programs in schools to be exempt from licensure. It also would let child care centers in residential homes increase their hours and serve up to eight children, instead of six.
The bill advanced to the Senate on Tuesday. State Rep. Vanessa Summers, a Democrat, said in a statement that she was “horrified” by the bill’s advancement.
“Rolling back regulations is not the answer – making real investments in child care infrastructure is the answer,” Summers said. “I am extremely disappointed in this body’s willingness to put children in harm’s way.”
Republican leaders have said undoing some operational requirements eases burdens on the businesses.
veryGood! (394)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- An orangutan, chirping birds and a waterfall at ASEAN venue contrast to Jakarta’s pollution outside
- Naomi Campbell Just Dropped a Surprisingly Affordable Clothing Collection With $20 Pieces
- Fall Movie Preview: Hollywood readies for a season with stars on the sidelines
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Boy, 10, weaves and speeds on freeway, troopers say, before they charge his father with letting him drive
- Jorge Vilda out. Spain sacks coach amid furor over nonconsensual kiss at World Cup final
- Airbnb limits some new reservations in New York City as short-term rental regulations go into effect
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- An orangutan, chirping birds and a waterfall at ASEAN venue contrast to Jakarta’s pollution outside
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Boy, 10, weaves and speeds on freeway, troopers say, before they charge his father with letting him drive
- Fierce storm in southern Brazil kills at least 21 people and displaces more than 1,600
- Ancient Roman bust seized from Massachusetts museum in looting probe
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Colorado, Duke surge into the AP Top 25 after huge upsets; Florida State climbs into top five
- How I learned that creativity and vulnerability go hand in hand
- Revisiting Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's Love Story Will Have You Sending Out an S.O.S
Recommendation
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
Ukraine's counteroffensive brings heavy casualties as families contend with grief, loss
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expected to meet with Putin
Amid dispute with Spectrum, Disney urges cable viewers to switch to its Hulu+ service
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Fan ejected at US Open after Alexander Zverev says man used language from Hitler’s regime
How Gigi Hadid Describes Her Approach to Co-Parenting With Zayn Malik
Alex Murdaugh's lawyers allege court clerk tampered with jury in double murder trial