Gov. Braun Strengthens Family First Policies Supporting Parents, Children, and Working Families

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun today highlighted his wins on policies to support parents, strengthen families, expand access to child care, and make state government a model employer for working Hoosier families.

"Strong families are the foundation of strong communities, and Indiana should be a state where parents are supported, child care is affordable, and children receive the best education possible." - Governor Mike Braun

In April, Gov. Braun announced a $200 million investment to expand access to affordable child care and reduce waitlists for working families. The investment is designed to help more children receive Child Care and Development Fund vouchers and give parents more confidence that reliable care will be available as they work, train, or pursue better opportunities.

Gov. Braun also signed HEA 1177, which expands Indiana's Employer Child Care Expenditure Credit by making more businesses eligible and broadening the ways employers can invest in child care for their workers. Beginning with the 2026 tax year, the credit applies to employers with up to 500 employees and covers 50% of qualified child care expenditures, up to $100,000 per employer.

The Braun Administration has also strengthened family leave policies for state employees. In March 2025, Gov. Braun expanded paid leave for state employees recovering from childbirth, removed the previous six-month waiting period to access new parent leave, and ensured support for families facing the loss of a child late in pregnancy. Under the updated policy, full-time eligible employees may receive up to 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave, and employees recovering from childbirth may receive up to six weeks of paid childbirth recovery leave, or up to eight weeks following a cesarean section.

In December 2025, Gov. Braun launched the Family First Workplace pilot program, allowing eligible state employees in participating agencies to bring infants to work during the first six months of life.

In May 2026, Gov. Braun expanded New Parent Leave to include foster parents, giving eligible state employees paid time to welcome and care for a child placed in their home through foster care. The updated policy recognizes birth, adoption, and foster care as important family events and provides eligible full-time employees up to 150 hours of paid leave and eligible part-time employees up to 75 hours.

Beginning July 1, 2026, a new Indiana law, signed by Gov. Braun and authored by Sen. Stacey Donato, will also allow breastfeeding mothers to be exempted from jury duty if they gave birth within the previous year, are currently breastfeeding, and request the exemption.

These policies build on Gov. Braun's broader commitment to a pro-family, pro-life agenda that supports Hoosier parents before, during, and after the birth or adoption of a child.

###