IndianaSB 463First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)Senate

Child care matters.

Sponsored By: Ed Charbonneau (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Extends the availability of the employer child care expenditure tax credit through July 1, 2027. Provides that under specified circumstances, an individual who: (1) is at least 15 years of age; and (2) is a student at a school corporation that operates a child care program; may volunteer as a caregiver for the child care program before completing the statutory requirements for individuals to act as a volunteer caregiver at a child care program. Adds two representatives of out-of-school-time programs to the membership of the early learning advisory committee. Provides for purposes of regulation of licensed child care centers that the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) shall: (1) ensure that: (A) Indiana's staff to child ratio for a specified age range is not more stringent than the average of the staff to child ratios permitted for that age range under the laws of Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio; and (B) Indiana's maximum group size for a specified age range is not more stringent than the average of the maximum group sizes permitted for that age range under the laws of Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio; and (2) annually publish on the office's website the: (A) staff to child ratio; and (B) maximum group size; that a licensed child care center is required to maintain for the specified age ranges. Provides exceptions to the bill's group size provisions for: (1) an indoor or outdoor area of a child care center that provides at least 75 square feet of space per child; and (2) a child care center's cafeteria. Provides that if the office has received at least five applications from child care providers wishing to participate in the micro center pilot program (pilot program) but has selected less than five applicants for participation in the pilot program, the office shall select additional applicants for participation in the pilot program such that at least five child care providers are participating in the pilot program.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Child Care Providers Gain Pilot Access

The law required at least five licensed providers in the child care pilot by July 1, 2025. This applied if at least five had applied but fewer than five were selected, subject to the pilot’s requirements. It also required an outside review of child care rules by May 1, 2024. Recommendations had to address health and safety, less paperwork, expansion by Paths to QUALITY Level 3 or 4 providers, and onsite care at accredited K–12 schools. The state had to begin rule changes considering those recommendations by July 1, 2024; the committee’s review duty expired January 1, 2025. These steps support provider flexibility but do not themselves give families payments or lower prices.

Child Care Centers Get Looser Staffing Limits

Indiana’s child care staffing and group limits cannot be stricter than averages drawn from Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. The averages use each state’s lowest allowed staff-to-child ratios and largest allowed groups, separately for nine age ranges. The state must post standards by December 1 annually; centers may use those posted by the preceding December 1. Volunteer students age 15 or older exploring early childhood careers may count as staff while continuously supervised by an authorized adult. Indoor or outdoor areas with at least 75 square feet per child may hold three times the usual group limit. Cafeteria group limits equal the seats available to children. The state had to begin rule changes by July 1, 2025; that transition requirement expired January 1, 2026. These changes allow larger groups and staffing flexibility, but do not guarantee lower prices for families.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ed Charbonneau

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Carey Hamilton

    Democratic • House

  • Dale DeVon

    Republican • House

  • J.D. Ford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Olthoff

    Republican • House

  • Kyle Pierce

    Republican • House

  • Lonnie Randolph

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark Spencer

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rodney Pol

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ron Alting

    Republican • Senate

  • Shelli Yoder

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 173 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Senate concurred with House amendments

Yes: 35 • No: 6

House vote • 4/9/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 94 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/20/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 44 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    5/1/2025Senate
  2. Public Law 140

    5/1/2025Senate
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/23/2025Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    4/22/2025Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    4/22/2025House
  6. Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 473: yeas 35, nays 6

    4/17/2025Senate
  7. Returned to the Senate with amendments

    4/10/2025House
  8. Motion to concur filed

    4/10/2025Senate
  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 412: yeas 94, nays 0

    4/9/2025House
  10. Amendment #6 (Goss-Reaves) prevailed; voice vote

    4/8/2025House
  11. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    4/8/2025House
  12. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    4/3/2025House
  13. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    3/27/2025House
  14. Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3

    3/27/2025House
  15. Representative Pierce K added as cosponsor

    3/24/2025House
  16. Representative Hamilton added as cosponsor

    3/13/2025House
  17. Representative Olthoff added as cosponsor

    3/13/2025House
  18. First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs

    3/3/2025House
  19. Referred to the House

    2/21/2025Senate
  20. House sponsor: Representative DeVon

    2/20/2025Senate
  21. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 198: yeas 44, nays 5

    2/20/2025Senate
  22. Amendment #1 (Garten) prevailed; voice vote

    2/17/2025Senate
  23. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/17/2025Senate
  24. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/13/2025Senate
  25. Senator Randolph added as coauthor

    2/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (H)

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (S)

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (H)

  • Senate Bill (S)

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