Gov. Mike Braun improves child care access and affordability, supports working families

Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM

Governor Mike Braun Wednesday ceremonially signed HEA 1177, legislation that expands employer-supported child care options and helps more Hoosier families access affordable, reliable child care.

“Affordable child care is one of the biggest pressures on family budgets and a big challenge for Hoosier families. By expanding eligibility for Indiana’s employer child care tax credit to small businesses, we expand access to reliable, affordable child care and create more options for working parents.” — Governor Mike Braun

HEA 1177 expands eligibility for Indiana’s employer child care tax credit to small businesses (businesses with up to 500 employees), allowing more companies to support their workers through on-site child care, partnerships with providers, or innovative local solutions. The law also allows redevelopment commissions to use local tools to help build and expand child care facilities, increasing access across Indiana communities.

Representative Becky Cash joined Governor Braun for the ceremonial signing, along with Brandy Wethington of Hendricks County, Allyson Gutwein and Andrea Kern of Boone County, and Erica Smatlak of United Way.

"Ensuring families have access to safe, reliable childcare has been a top priority for me. 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.” — Rep. Becky Cash

Read Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s overview explaining Indiana’s updated employer child care tax credit under HEA 1177 and how it supports employers and families.

The Indiana Department of Revenue provided guidance about the Employer Child Care Expenditure Credit.

Governor Braun has made affordability the central focus of his agenda, with child care playing a key role. When parents have access to reliable, affordable child care, they are able to pursue better jobs, gain new skills, and build stronger futures.

HEA 1177 builds on Governor Braun’s broader actions to address Indiana’s child care challenges, including a $200 million investment to expand access to Child Care and Development Fund vouchers, reopen enrollment after a 15-month freeze, and reduce waitlists for working families.