Committee reviews broad childcare bill on ratios, workforce pipelines, microcenters and employer tax credit

The Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard testimony on House Bill 463, a multi-part measure proponents say is intended to expand child-care capacity, shore up the early childhood workforce and give providers more flexibility on staffing ratios.

FSSA (Family and Social Services Administration) staff and representatives of after-school programs, chambers of commerce, school districts and employers outlined provisions that would: add an out-of-school-time (OST) program representative to the Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC); require FSSA to publish surrounding states' staff-to-child ratios for providers to consider; expand a microfacility ("microcenter") pilot program; and extend an employer child-care tax credit.

"FSSA and Governor Braun stands in support of House Bill 463," Kayla Skinner, an FSSA representative, told the committee, summarizing key provisions including the ELAC change, publication of surrounding-state ratios, a five-licensee minimum for the microfacility pilot, and a requirement that FSSA adopt interim rules implementing ELAC recommendations.

Sam Barnett of the Indiana After School Network supported adding OST…