Recapping Workforce and Education Issues From the Recent Legislative Session
The 2026 Indiana legislative session delivered several meaningful wins for workforce development and education.
Central to this effort was HEA 1098 (Work-Based Learning Liability), a top-priority bill for the Indiana Chamber that passed with strong bipartisan support. This legislation addresses the long-standing legal uncertainty that limits employer participation in work-based learning and youth apprenticeship programs.
HEA 1098 establishes clear agreements between employers and intermediaries, updating outdated statutory references and ensuring that insurance decisions are based on objective risk criteria rather than a student’s age. The result is a stronger pathway for students to gain hands-on experience while maintaining appropriate protections for students and employers, which strengthens Indiana’s talent pipeline and benefits students and businesses.
The session also advanced several other noteworthy pieces of legislation. HEA 1177 expanded and modernized Indiana’s employer childcare tax credit, helping more businesses invest in childcare solutions that support employee retention and workforce participation. HEA 1195 extended the state’s high school equivalency pilot program, preserving flexible credential pathways that help reconnect young people to education and employment.
SEA 161 improved alignment between workforce training programs and federal credentialing, and SEA 162 modernized unemployment insurance statutes to reduce ambiguity for employers and workers. Finally, SEA 254 strengthened Ivy Tech Community College’s governance structure to better reflect employer needs and ensure the system remains responsive to Indiana’s evolving economy. Together, these measures reflect a session that made steady, practical progress and set a strong foundation heading into the 2027 budget session.
About the Author
Camille Blunt is the VP of Government Affairs at the Indiana Chamber, where she works with policies related to education, workforce development, housing and infrastructure.
