Get ready for Indiana’s legislative session!

The official first day of Indiana’s 2026 legislative session is January 5th. We are focusing on a handful of policy priorities. Your advocacy can help turn these priorities into real progress for families and communities. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them:

1. Time to Eat – This policy would ensure that students have at least 20 minutes of seat time for lunch, dedicated to eating. Sufficient eating time increases intake of heart-healthy fruits and vegetables while reducing food waste.
2. Childhood Nutrition – We will be working on updating food standards for early childhood centers, free school meals for students, and funding Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), which provides families with funds to buy meals during the summer months. Making sure kids are well-fed with healthy food is essential to their growth!
3. Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) – Expand PFML to a broader group of parents and caregivers so that workers can take time off during critical life moments. Families should not have to choose between getting paid and caring for their loved ones during life’s most important times.

As an American Heart Association Heart Powered advocate, you can help shape Indiana’s laws and make your community healthier. Keep an eye on your inbox for opportunities to take action that make a big difference. Together, we can unite to change the future of health.