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Read. Follow. Verify.Indiana Establishes Bright Start Program and Fund to Expand Early Learning and Child Care Grants
Last action · January 6, 2026: First reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human AffairsSponsor: Alex Burton
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What This Bill Proposed
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.
Working families facing waitlists or income cutoffs for existing state pre-K or subsidies become eligible for tuition assistance and provider capacity grants.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
working families with eligible children
Families with children under five who face income limits or waitlists for existing pre-K and CCDF programs become eligible for tuition assistance grants.
eligible providers
Licensed child care centers, homes, ministries with Level 3 or 4 paths to QUALITY ratings, public schools, and accredited nonpublic schools may receive expansion and quality improvement grants.
office of the secretary of family and social services
The office must develop, implement, and administer the program and fund, disburse funds, and submit annual reports starting October 1, 2027.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which children are eligible for the Indiana Bright Start Program?
What does the Indiana Bright Start Fund pay for?
Does money left in the fund at the end of the fiscal year return to the state general fund?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 6, 2026HouseIntroducedFirst reading: referred to Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs
- Jan 6, 2026HouseAuthored by Representative Burton
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
iga.in.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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