Indy Standard

The Indiana House of Representatives has approved legislation introduced by State Representative Dave Heine aimed at easing child care licensing restrictions to improve accessibility for families across the state. The proposed House Bill 1253 seeks to expand available child care options by reducing regulations on services provided through schools and educational institutions.

Under the bill, school facilities offering child care would be allowed to serve children throughout the entire school corporation rather than being restricted to students or employees of the school. This change is intended to broaden eligibility for childcare vouchers, extending their validity from two years to three years.

"Child care accessibility is a top concern for Hoosier families and this bill offers a practical solution to increase capacity and ensure that these providers can operate more efficiently," stated Heine. "House Bill 1253 is a step in the right direction to remove regulations that reduce access to care."

The legislation also proposes allowing owners of multi-site child care centers to obtain a single license instead of separate licenses for each facility, simplifying the application process and potentially reducing costs. Each location will still be subject to individual inspections for compliance with safety and health standards.

Heine emphasized that the bill aims to lessen administrative burdens while enhancing the efficiency of licensing processes, ultimately reducing operational costs for families.

Having passed the House with bipartisan support, House Bill 1253 now proceeds to the Senate for further review. More details and live sessions are accessible at iga.in.gov.