We all deserve an Indiana where we can care for ourselves, our family members, and our loved ones. Unfortunately, as highlighted by recent rankings from The Century Foundation, Indiana is falling behind in terms of key legislation that would make this a reality, ranking 38th in the nation and receiving a D- grade overall. Some key areas we could do better:

• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML): An estimated 2,601,000 workers across the state (76 percent of the workforce) lack the opportunity to earn PFML, a policy that prevents workers from having to choose between care for self or a family member and wages. With PFML, Indiana would have an estimated additional 120,000 workers in the labor force, and a $3.8 billion increase in earnings statewide, which would both support families and contribute to tax revenues.
• Paid Sick and Safe Day Legislation: These policies ensure that workers can access paid time off when sick with a cold or flu, or have medical needs arising from domestic violence. Over half (53 percent) of working Hoosiers report being unable to take a paid day off when they are sick. This leads to prolonged periods of illness, increased healthcare costs, and harms worker wellbeing.
• Fair Scheduling Laws: Unpredictable and last-minute schedule shifts make it difficult for working parents to access necessary childcare, and unnecessarily complicate caregivers' schedules. Fair scheduling laws require work shifts to be communicated in advance, and support part-time carers in obtaining part-time work.
• Increasing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Amount: Indiana currently offers 10 percent of the federal level as an EITC, however, this is one of the lowest rates among states with such a policy, and with rising costs of living, is an amount that needs to increase.
• Creating a Refundable State-Level Child Tax Credit (CTC): Given the costs of childcare and the lack of Paid Family and Medical Leave, a refundable CTC in Indiana would go a long way to ensure that Hoosiers across race, place, and income bracket are able to raise families in Indiana without being priced out. The implementation of the CTC also generates multi-generational benefits, providing parents with a path towards a brighter future for their children.  
• Making a Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC): This tax credit is for low- to middle-income families with a child or adult dependent on them for care. The CDCTC helps offset costs from childcare against taxable income, reducing the amount of taxes owed on earnings by accounting for care that families must pay for.

Which of these policies are you most passionate about? Email your legislator to let them know, and ask them what steps they will be doing this legislative session to support Hoosier families.