State Rep. Dave Heine is pushing legislation to expand early childhood education in Indiana. House Bill 1149 would create an early childhood scholarship tax credit, giving a 50 percent tax credit for donations to organizations that provide tuition assistance to preschoolers.
According to the Indiana House Republicans, the bill encourages individuals and businesses to fund early education scholarships. "Investing in early childhood education strengthens families, prepares young students for future success in school and supports working parents," Heine said. House Bill 1149 also proposes removing district boundaries for early childhood programs, allowing children from any area to enroll.
This isn’t Heine’s first effort on childcare policy. Last year, House Enrolled Act 1253 updated child care licensing, allowing school-based programs in Indiana to serve children from across the school corporation, not just those connected to the school’s staff or students.
House Bill 1149 now moves to the House Ways and Means Committee. If approved, it will proceed to the full House of Representatives. The bill’s progress can be tracked on the Indiana General Assembly website. If passed, the tax credit would begin with the 2027 tax year, with a statewide cap of $100 million annually.
