A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.

Children

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Representative Alex Burton
Last action: 2026-01-06
Official status: Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on eligibility criteria or funding amounts.

Indiana Bright Start Program

This bill establishes the Indiana Bright Start program to support early learning and child care needs for working families with eligible children.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Indiana Bright Start program to help eligible children with early learning and child care needs.
Allows the office of the secretary of family and social services to develop and run the program.
Permits the office to work with nonprofit corporations to facilitate the program.
Creates a special fund called the Indiana Bright Start Program Fund.
Requires yearly reports about the program starting in October 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

Working families with eligible children
The office of the secretary of family and social services

Terms To Know

Indiana Bright Start Program: A program that helps working families pay for early learning and child care.
Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services: The government office responsible for running the Indiana Bright Start Program.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how much funding will be available.
Does not define which children are eligible for the program.
Does not explain when the program will start after it is approved.

Bill History

2026-01-06 House
Authored by Representative Burton
2026-01-06 House
First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.
Indiana bright start program and fund.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.

Indiana bright start program and fund.

Establishes the Indiana bright start program (program) to support the early learning and child care needs of working families with eligible children. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) shall develop and implement the program, and may contract with nonprofit corporations to facilitate the program. Establishes the Indiana bright start program fund. Requires the office, beginning October 1, 2027, to annually submit a report to the governor and legislative council with information concerning the program.