Regulations of home-based child care would be loosened by legislation approved by the Indiana Senate Monday.

HB 1102 increases the number of children allowed in child care homes from five to seven — which doesn’t include any children in the home who are relatives of the owner. It also allows those homes to care for kids longer, from four to six hours a day.

Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus), the measure’s sponsor, said parents and families need more child care options and the bill aims to provide them.

“Making sure that home care providers have the ability to get the costs down and work with families to provide additional capacity without being regulated out of business,” Walker said.

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 765-275-1120. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues, including our project Civically, Indiana and our 2024 legislative bill tracker.

Sen. J.D. Ford (D-Indianapolis) said increasing the number of children who can be in those unlicensed homes goes beyond the levels national experts recommend.

“Making child care more accessible at the risk of child safety is something that I absolutely cannot support,” Ford said.

The Senate passed the bill along party lines. It now heads back to the House, which can vote to send it to the governor or take it to conference committee for further work.

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.