Committee preserves Hoosier Families First Fund framework but adds no new money

Senate Bill 499, which would reenact the Hoosier Families First Fund framework, was advanced by the committee by a 9-0 roll call and will be recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.

Sponsor Sen. Clay told the committee the bill ‘‘reenacts the Hoosier family first, meaning that it just continues the fund, the framework,’’ and stressed that the current draft contains no new appropriation. Clay said the fund was “funded substantially with about $45,000,000” when enacted in 2022 and that the bill would keep the program structure available to receive grants, appropriations or federal dollars should future funding become available.

The bill text lists permitted uses beginning on page 2: support for the health of pregnant women, postpartum mothers and infants; pregnancy planning including addressing barriers to long-acting reversible contraception; services for low-income families with children under age 4; expanding participation in the Child Care and Development Fund; support for Indiana foster and adoptive families; prevention programs aimed at avoiding Department of Child Services involvement; funding for newborn safety devices; and maternal support services to help bring pregnancies to term.

Clay emphasized the bill’s nonreverting language, noting that ‘‘any funds in the program would remain with program, not revert to the general fund.’’ No witnesses registered for or against the bill, and the committee moved the measure and called the roll. The motion to recommit SB 499 to Appropriations passed 9-0.

With the procedural vote complete, SB 499 will be scheduled for consideration by the Appropriations Committee where any potential funding decisions would be addressed.