Indiana Governor Mike Braun signs HEA 1177 on April 29, 2026. Photo courtesy of the State of Indiana.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun today ceremonially signed HEA 1177 which expands employer-supported child care options and helps more Hoosier families access affordable, reliable child care.
News release from Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s office:
Gov. Mike Braun Improves Child Care Access and Affordability, Supports Working Families
Indianapolis, Indiana (April 29, 2026) – Governor Mike Braun today 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.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun after signing HEA 1177 on April 29, 2026. Photo courtesy of the State of Indiana.
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
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.
