6/16/2026 Torchbearer Weekly Policy Update
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- Proposed Child Care Rules Would Move Indiana Backward, Advocates Say
- Indiana Takes on Powerful Hospitals by Capping Prices They Charge Employers
- Report: Indiana Ranked 1st in U.S. for Rising Home Foreclosure Rates
- Indiana Commerce Secretary Leaving Post; Will Serve as Adviser Until End of Year
- U.S. Department of Education Approves Indiana’s “Returning Education to the States Waiver”
- Share the Torchbearer Newsletter to with Your Network!
- Important Dates
Proposed Child Care Rules Would Move Indiana Backward, Advocates Say
Advocates are worried about what changes to rules for Indiana's licensed child care providers would mean for the quality of early education in the state and for the next generation of Hoosier kids and their readiness for school.
Why it matters: Indiana has a child care crisis. We don't have enough seats, and what we do have is often prohibitively expensive.
- State officials say the proposed changes would expand access, while critics argue they would risk lowering standards for children during some of the most important years of development.
Driving the news: Last week, the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) proposed a massive overhaul of rules for licensed child care providers in home- and center-based settings.
- It would change more than 90 sections of code, including those addressing education requirements for providers and caregiver-to-child ratios.
- "These reforms will increase affordable child care capacity statewide, making it easier for providers to serve families and for new businesses to enter the market," OECOSL director Adam Alson said in a statement.
The other side: Providers and early-learning advocates say some of the changes could come at the expense of quality.
- "We're going backward," said Hanan Osman, CEO of the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC).
- Some of the proposed changes would lower education requirements for providers. If the changes were adopted, lead caregivers would no longer need some form of early-learning education or training, such as a credential or degree.
- Instead, they would need only a high school diploma or equivalent.
"A high school diploma does not prepare anyone to teach young children," Osman said. "Lowering the lead caregiver requirement risks undermining the program quality and the child outcomes."
- "This says you don't care about the quality," she said. "You just care about making it affordable."
The big picture: Gov. Mike Braun has said that making child care more affordable and increasing the number of providers are priorities for his administration, but he has also said quality has to be protected.
- Last month, Braun toured St. Mary's Early Childhood Center and praised the high-quality education he observed firsthand.
- "I'm out here to find out what's going on in terms of best practices," he told reporters at the time. "It needs to be early learning as opposed to just being taken care of."
What they're saying: During a webinar held by INAEYC this week with dozens of providers, many raised concerns that lowering standards would exacerbate problems the industry already faces.
- If parents had less confidence in the program's quality, enrollment would suffer, they said.
- And while workforce shortages are real, INAEYC says the state should invest in better wages and benefits and more training for early-childhood educators.
- Hiring people with no training would increase turnover, further destabilizing the workforce, it says.
Braun's office told Axios the state is aligning its child care regulations to "widely accepted national industry norms."
- "For years, Indiana's child care system has had requirements that are more burdensome than those of surrounding states," Griffin Reid, Braun's spokesperson, said. "By right-sizing these rules, Indiana is correcting long‑standing inconsistencies and better aligning with the standards used across the country."
- The Family and Social Services Administration, which oversees the OECOSL, did not respond to Axios' questions about providers' concerns.
What's next: The proposed changes are open for public comment through July 6.
- A public hearing will be held July 6 at 10am in Indiana Government Center South, Conference Room 17. (Axios)
Indiana Takes on Powerful Hospitals by Capping Prices They Charge Employers
Tired of watching its employers struggle to afford the cost of healthcare, Republican-controlled Indiana is trying a traditionally liberal tactic to control costs: setting government price controls on hospitals.
Why it matters: Indiana’s move could set a precedent for other states grappling with soaring healthcare costs.
- With hospitals making up a significant portion of healthcare expenses, this approach might be the first step towards more affordable healthcare.
- The impact on employer-paid insurance holders could be substantial, potentially easing financial pressures.
What’s new: Indiana’s law caps what its largest nonprofit hospital systems can charge for job-based health plans.
- This includes a direct penalty for hospitals exceeding the cap and mandates direct-to-employer contracts.
- The goal is to manage costs and improve transparency in pricing.
The stakes: The law challenges traditional political lines, with a Republican state using a strategy usually seen in Democratic policies.
- This move highlights a bipartisan recognition of the urgent need to address healthcare affordability.
What’s next: As Indiana’s experiment unfolds, other states will be watching closely.
- Vermont and some western states are already trying similar measures.
- The success or failure of Indiana’s approach could influence national policy discussions. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Report: Indiana Ranked 1st in U.S. for Rising Home Foreclosure Rates
A combination of rising property taxes, surging homeowners insurance premiums, and escalating utility costs is driving a spike in housing instability across Central Indiana.
Why it matters: The housing crisis in Central Indiana is reaching a critical point, affecting homeowner stability and economic security.
- The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) reports a significant surge in foreclosures, with Indiana now leading nationally for its foreclosure rate.
- This instability threatens long-standing communities, particularly in historic Black neighborhoods like Northwest-Riverside and Crown Hill.
The latest data: In 2025, Indiana recorded a 16.1% increase in mortgage foreclosure filings, reaching 10,585 cases.
- By February 2026, Indiana ranked first in the U.S. for foreclosure rates, with one out of every 1,597 housing units affected.
- Marion County alone saw foreclosure starts rise to 7.3 per 1,000 owner-occupied households.
What’s next: The FHCCI is advocating for systemic changes to address the root causes of this crisis.
- Proposed measures include legislative reforms and assistance programs to stabilize housing costs and support vulnerable homeowners.
- As property values and taxes rise, there is an urgent call to freeze property tax hikes for at-risk populations to prevent further displacement.
For more information, view the full report on the FHCCI’s News Page. (WIBC)
Indiana Commerce Secretary Leaving Post; Will Serve as Adviser Until End of Year
Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Adams will step down on June 30 and transition to an advisory role for Gov. Mike Braun, focusing on life sciences.
Why it matters: Adams has played a pivotal role in shaping Indiana’s economic landscape.
- His efforts have led to significant wage growth and a boost in entrepreneurship.
The big picture: Adams‘ replacement will be named this week, ensuring a smooth transition ahead of the Legislature’s crucial budget session in January.
- This allows the new secretary to align with Indiana’s economic strategies.
What’s next: Adams will continue to support the state’s $1 billion life sciences initiative, working towards long-term success.
- He will earn $90,000 for his advisory role through December.
Flashback: Prior to his commerce role, Adams advised corporations and governments on economic growth and served as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
U.S. Department of Education Approves Indiana’s “Returning Education to the States Waiver”
The U.S. Department of Education approved Indiana’s “Returning Education to the States Waiver,” granting the state more control over federal education dollars.
Why it matters: This waiver empowers Indiana to prioritize college and career readiness in its high school accountability system.
- Indiana can now consolidate $50 million in federal funds across five streams over four years, enhancing flexibility in resource allocation.
The big picture: Indiana is the third state to receive this waiver, following Iowa and Louisiana.
- This move aligns Indiana’s state and federal high school accountability, simplifying processes and reducing costs.
What they’re saying: “This waiver provides greater flexibility for Indiana to serve its students the way it knows best,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
- Indiana Gov. Mike Braun added, “We are taking the next logical step for choice in Indiana education.”
What’s next: Indiana plans to launch a pilot program allowing 15% of its local educational agencies to consolidate two federal funding programs, Titles II-A and IV-A.
- The state aims to redirect nearly $20 million in compliance cost savings to the classroom over the next four years. (WTHR)
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Important Dates:
Important Dates:
Wednesday, June 17 at 10:00am: Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana at Government Center South, Conference Room C
Thursday, June 18 at 9:30am: State Budget Committee in Room 431 of the Statehouse
Tuesday, July 6 at 10:00am: Division of Family Resources Public Hearing on Proposed Childcare Rules in Indiana Government Center South, Conference Room 17 or streaming
Thursday, July 23rd at 10:00am: Commission for Higher Education at the Indiana State Library or streaming
Tuesday, August 11th at 9:00am: State Board of Education at Government Center South or streaming
We will add interim study committee meetings as they are announced.