INDIANAPOLIS — If you’re a parent who works outside the home, you’re probably familiar with the search for child care.
Indiana lawmakers have been considering a bill supporters say will give Indiana families greater access to affordable child care.
The bill’s author, State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-District 5, has framed access to child care in Indiana as an infrastructure issue, saying for Indiana’s economy to function, Hoosiers in the workforce, who are parents, need access to more child care options they can afford.
Senate Bill 2 would increase the number of child care workers by lowering the age of people who can work with kids from 21 to 18.
Sixteen- and 17-year-olds would also be allowed to watch kids, if supervised by someone who is at least 18.
People who work in child care would also have greater access to federal and state money to pay for their own child care needs.
The bill also creates a pilot program to create three micro child care centers in rural areas without access to child care. Those centers could take care of up to 30 kids.
Supporters of Senate Bill 2 that testified included several groups representing Indiana businesses.
“We’re having really great success with major manufacturing announcements in this state, and that has an effect on a lot of other businesses," said Andrew Berger, with the Indiana Manufacturing Association. "One of the main things or the main thing that’s going to limit our ability to take advantage of the growth is the lack of workforce and child care is a critical element."
Affordable and greater access to childcare is also a part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s agenda this session, as well as Democratic lawmakers, many whom have frequently called for universal pre-K.
On Jan. 30, Senate Bill 2 passed out of the Senate with a vote of 48-1.