A comprehensive list of bills being tracked by ISTA.
Prepared by: Keith Clock
E-mail: kclock@ista-in.org
Report created on March 29, 2024
 
HB1001STATE BIENNIAL BUDGET. (BROWN T) Appropriates money for capital expenditures, the operation of the state, K-12 and higher education, the delivery of Medicaid and other services, and various other distributions and purposes. Provides for bonding authority for capital projects for higher education institutions. Terminates the legislative evaluation and oversight program. Replaces the statutory appropriation from the counter cyclical and revenue stabilization fund to the state general fund based on the budget report with a limited discretionary transfer determined by the budget director and approved by the governor. Requires the attorney general to include certain language concerning settlement funds in proposed court order language. Establishes the agency settlement fund for purposes of receiving certain funds paid to the state as part of a settlement or similar agreement. Permits money held in a trust fund for other post-employment benefits (other than pension) to be invested in the same manner as money may be invested by the public employees' retirement fund or any other public pension or employee retirement fund administered by the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system. Establishes the teachers' defined contribution plan (plan) as an account within the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (fund). Provides that an individual who begins employment with a school corporation in a covered position that would otherwise be eligible for membership in the fund may elect to become a member of the plan. Provides that an individual who does not elect to become a member of the plan becomes a member of the fund. Requires the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system (board) to establish, subject to any approval from the Internal Revenue Service that the board considers necessary or desirable, alternative investment programs within the annuity savings account as the initial alternative investment programs for the plan. Provides that, if the board considers it necessary or appropriate, the board may establish different or additional alternative investment programs for the plan, except that the board shall maintain the stable value fund. Provides that each member's contribution to the plan is 3% of the member's compensation and requires the employer to pay the member's contribution on behalf of the member. Allows a member to make additional contributions to the plan up to 10% of the member's compensation. Provides that the employer's contribution rate for the plan is equal to the employer's contribution rate for the fund as determined by the board, although the amount credited from the employer's contribution rate to the member's account may not be greater than the normal cost of the fund, and any amount not credited to the member's account is applied to the unfunded accrued liability of the fund. Provides that an employer's minimum contribution to the plan is 3% of the compensation of all members of the plan. Provides that member contributions and net earnings on the member contributions belong to the member at all times and do not belong to the employer. Provides that a member vests in the employer contribution subaccount at 20% per year with full vesting after five years of participation. Provides that, if a member separates from service with an employer before the member is fully vested in the employer contribution subaccount, the amount in the subaccount that is not vested is: (1) transferred to the member's new employer, if the new employer participates in the plan; or (2) held in the member's employer contribution subaccount until forfeited. Provides that a member who: (1) terminates service in a covered position; and (2) does not perform any service in a covered position for at least 30 days after the date on which the member terminates service; is entitled to withdraw vested amounts in the member's account. Provides that a member may elect to have withdrawals paid as: (1) a lump sum; (2) a direct rollover to another eligible retirement plan; or (3) if the member is at least 62 years of age with at least five years of participation in the plan, a monthly annuity in accordance with the rules of the board. Provides that, on the plan's effective date, school corporations become participants in the plan. Provides that the board shall provide education to employers and members regarding retirement benefit options of all applicable pension and retirement funds that the board administers. Establishes the next level Indiana trust and trust fund. Provides that the trust proceeds of the next generation trust shall be transferred to the next level Indiana trust and trust fund and that the next generation trust shall cease upon completion of the transfer. Provides that the proceeds transferred to the next level Indiana trust fund shall be used exclusively for the provision of highways, roads, and bridges. Requires the board of trustees (board) of the Indiana public employees' retirement system, after December 31, 2017, to establish and maintain the next level Indiana innovation and entrepreneurial fund (fund) as an annuity savings account investment option for members of the public employees' retirement fund (PERF) and the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF). Requires the deferred compensation committee (committee), after December 31, 2017, to establish and maintain the fund as an investment option in the state employees' deferred compensation plan. Requires the board and the committee to consult with the board of trustees of the next level Indiana trust fund to establish the fund's investment objectives and policies. Limits initial transfers into the fund to 20% of the balance in a fund member's or state employee's account. Limits annual contributions to the fund to 20% of a member's or an employee's total contributions for that year. Provides that, if a member or employee contributes not less than the amount the member or employee initially designated to the fund for at least 36 consecutive months and maintains in the fund the amounts transferred and contributed during that period, the state shall contribute on the member's or employee's behalf to the fund as a match 10% of the total amount contributed by the member or employee or on the member's or employee's behalf to the fund during that 36 month period. Provides that for each additional 12 consecutive months that a member or an employee contributes not less than the member or employee initially designated to the fund and maintains in the fund the amounts transferred and contributed that period, the state shall contribute on the member's or employee's behalf to the fund as a match 10% of the total amount contributed by the member or employee or on the member's or employee's behalf to the fund during that 12 month period. Provides that, for purposes of determining the amount of the state's match, the total amount contributed by the member or employee or on the member's or employee's behalf excludes the amount of any state match. Provides that, in the case of a group insurance plan established by the state police department, conservation officers of the department of natural resources, and the state excise police (state law enforcement agencies), any proposed modification to change the benefits under the plan may not be made unless the modification is approved by the budget agency. Provides that, on or before July 1 of each year, state law enforcement agencies must submit to the budget agency the current pla
 Current Status:   4/27/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/22/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (S) Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 540: yeas 42, nays 8; Rules Suspended
4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 561: yeas 68, nays 30; Rules Suspended
 State Bill Page:   HB1001
 
HB1003STUDENT ASSESSMENTS. (BEHNING R) Replaces the ISTEP test program after June 30, 2018, with a new statewide assessment program to be known as Indiana's Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network (ILEARN). Provides that after June 30, 2018, a student must complete a graduation pathway requirement rather than pass a graduation exam. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on education for study during the 2017 interim of the general assembly the topic of Indiana's laws concerning school certificated employee evaluations. Provides that not later than November 1, 2017, the department of education (department) shall make recommendations to the general assembly for updating Indiana's graduation waiver requirements. Provides that a school corporation may revise its teacher evaluation plan for the 2017-18 school year to determine how to include ISTEP results in evaluations of certificated employees. Makes conforming amendments.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (S) Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 538: yeas 39, nays 11; Rules Suspended
4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 559: yeas 68, nays 29; Rules Suspended
 State Bill Page:   HB1003
 
HB1004PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION. (BEHNING R) Provides that, after June 30, 2017, the early education grant pilot program (prekindergarten pilot program) includes: (1) eligible providers in an additional 15 counties; and (2) eligible providers that received a grant under the early education matching grant program and meet certain conditions. Changes references to the "pilot program" to the "prekindergarten pilot program". Adds additional requirements for an eligible provider to participate in the prekindergarten pilot program. Adds additional requirements for an eligible child to qualify for or receive a grant under the prekindergarten pilot program. Amends income eligibility requirements for eligible children in counties that meet certain conditions and establishes certain requirements and restrictions. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) may award a grant to a potential eligible provider or existing eligible provider for an expansion plan if certain requirements are met. Requires a potential eligible provider or existing eligible provider to repay to the office the total amount of the grant awarded if the potential eligible provider or existing eligible provider fails to use the grant funds in accordance with the expansion plan or in compliance with the agreement with the office. Requires the office to: (1) monitor the educational outcomes resulting from the implementation of expansion plans; and (2) annually provide the governor and legislative council a report of the findings of the office concerning the educational outcomes. Amends a provision that requires a match for the prekindergarten pilot program be from at least 10% but not more than 50% to be at least 5% but not more than 50%, with an exception. Requires the office to make random onsite inspections, as determined necessary by the office, of facilities of eligible providers and potential eligible providers or existing eligible providers each year. Provides that the office may determine that an eligible provider or potential eligible provider or existing eligible provider is no longer eligible under the prekindergarten pilot program. Provides that eligible children who use a prekindergarten pilot program grant to attend a prekindergarten program at an eligible choice scholarship school are eligible to receive a choice scholarship to attend the same eligible choice scholarship school if certain conditions are met. Requires the division of family resources to develop a provider rate reimbursement schedule that uses money appropriated by the general assembly as an incentive for providers eligible to receive voucher payments under the federal Child Care and Development fund voucher program to meet the standards of quality recognized by a Level 3 or Level 4 Paths to QUALITY program rating. Requires the department of education (department) to approve an early learning development framework for prekindergarten. Requires the office to apply for waivers from all applicable federal agencies to receive any federal funding for child care or prekindergarten education in one block grant to use for child care and prekindergarten programs in the state. Establishes the prekindergarten pilot program fund (fund). Allows the office to develop and implement a reimbursement program to reimburse costs incurred by parents to provide technology based, in-home early education services to a child. Allows money in the fund to be used to pay for the reimbursements. Repeals the provisions concerning the early education matching grant program.
 Current Status:   4/26/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1004
 
HB1005SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. (BOSMA B) Abolishes the office of the state superintendent of public instruction on January 10, 2025. Provides that, after January 10, 2025, the governor shall appoint a secretary of education. Establishes residency, education, and experience qualifications for the secretary of education. Makes conforming and technical amendments.
 Current Status:   4/27/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1005
 
HB1006MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS. (KIRCHHOFER C) Requires the secretary of family and social services to provide that residences for residential care and supported housing for chronic addiction that receive reimbursement when used as a recovery residence to be certified and meet standards determined by the division of mental health addiction through administrative rules. Adds, subject to the approval of the Indiana commission to combat drug abuse (commission), an individual who is: (1) less than 18 years of age; and (2) a defendant whose case is either waived from juvenile court to adult court or directly filed in adult court; to the individuals who may be eligible for mental health and addiction forensic treatment services. Provides that a child welfare program may be established for the purpose of providing child welfare substance abuse treatment services for families and children who have an open child welfare or delinquency case with the juvenile court. Requires that information and training concerning child welfare substance abuse treatment services be provided to certain judges, department of child services employees, and public defenders. Includes neonatal abstinence syndrome as a factor for a child to be determined a child in need of services. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on corrections and criminal code the topic of extending mental health and addiction forensic treatment services to individuals in the criminal justice system: (1) who: (A) are charged with a misdemeanor offense; or (B) have a prior misdemeanor conviction; and (2) who have been placed in or are eligible for placement in a pretrial services program, a community corrections program, a prosecuting attorney's diversion program, or jail. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on public health, behavioral health, and human services).
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 533: yeas 97, nays 0; Rules Suspended
4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (S) Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 517: yeas 49, nays 0; Rules Suspended
 State Bill Page:   HB1006
 
HB1007EDUCATION COURSE ACCESS PROGRAM. (COOK A) Allows the department of education (department) to authorize course providers to offer course access program courses that provide for the delivery of instruction through any method, including online technologies, in the course access program (program). Requires the department to: (1) oversee the program; (2) approve courses offered in the program; and (3) maintain a course access program catalog. Requires the department to negotiate a tuition fee for each offered course. Requires the school corporation in which an eligible student is enrolled to transfer the tuition fee for a course to the authorized course provider. Defines "eligible student" as a student pursing: (1) any type of diploma available for students to receive in Indiana; or (2) an industry certification that appears on the state board of education's approved industry certification list. Provides certain reasons a school corporation may deny a student's enrollment in a course access course. Provides that a parent of an eligible student or an emancipated eligible student may appeal the school corporation's decision to the department. Allows the state board of education to adopt emergency and nonemergency rules.
 Current Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/18/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/17/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1007
 
HB1009SCHOOL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. (COOK A) Provides for the following, effective January 1, 2019: (1) Eliminates the school general fund. (2) Creates an education fund to be used as the exclusive fund to pay expenses allocated to student instruction and learning. (3) Creates an operations fund to replace the capital projects fund, the transportation fund, the school bus replacement fund, an art association or a historical society fund, and the public playground fund. Provides that the levy for a school corporation's operations fund consists of the following separately calculated levies: (1) A transportation levy. (2) A school bus replacement levy. (3) A capital projects levy. (4) For certain schools, levies to provide funding for an art association, a historical society, or a public playground. Specifies that each separately calculated maximum levy for 2019 is the 2018 maximum levy increased by the maximum levy (assessed value) growth quotient and that after 2019 each separately calculated maximum levy is increased by the maximum levy (assessed value) growth quotient. Provides that on January 1, 2019, the balance in the school corporation's general fund shall be transferred to the education fund. Specifies that before March 1, 2019, the governing body of a school corporation may transfer to the school corporation's operations fund, from the amounts transferred from the school corporation's general fund, any amounts that are not allocated to student instruction and learning. Allows transfers between the education fund and operations fund. Specifies that money transferred from the operations fund to the education fund is not revenue for purposes of collective bargaining. Provides new allowable expenditures from the operations fund to include all skilled trades, school maintenance vehicles, and contracted services related to buildings and grounds. Eliminates the requirement to publish the entire capital projects plan and school bus replacement plan in a newspaper and requires that the plans be posted on the school corporation's web site. Removes the approval of the plans and appropriations by the department of local government finance. Eliminates various dedicated funds and moves the purpose for each of these funds to the education fund or operations fund. Creates the school corporation referendum controlled project tax levy fund to pay for projects approved by a voter referendum. Makes corresponding changes. Extends (through 2019) the ability in current law for a school corporation to allocate circuit breaker credits proportionately (without taking protected taxes into account) under certain circumstances. Provides that the chart of accounts to be used by school corporations must coincide with the following expenditure categories: (1) Student academic achievement expenditures. (2) Student instructional support expenditures. (3) Overhead and operational expenditures. (4) Nonoperational expenditures. Provides that a school corporation that has an ADM of more than 15,000 may not issue bonds after August 15, 2020, unless the school corporation has for its preceding budget year prepared an annual financial report using the modified accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Provides that a county that has a population of more than 100,000 and a municipality that has a population of more than 75,000 may not issue bonds after June 30, 2020, unless the county or municipality has for its preceding budget year prepared an annual financial report using the modified accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Allows the state examiner to waive these requirements if the state examiner determines that a waiver is in the best interest of the school corporation, county, or municipality. Replaces the provisions in current law (which would be phased in during 2017-2020) concerning annual financial report requirements that must be met before a school corporation, county, or municipality may issue bonds. Provides that effective July 1, 2017, a school corporation may not issue any bonds unless it has filed its annual financial report with the department of education. Provides that effective July 1, 2017, a county or municipality may not issue any bonds unless it has filed its annual financial report with the state examiner for the preceding fiscal year.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (S) Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 505: yeas 47, nays 3
4/21/2017 - Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing); Time & Location: 9:00 AM, Rm. 431
 State Bill Page:   HB1009
 
HB1024PRAYER IN SCHOOLS. (BARTLETT J) Provides that a school corporation or charter school shall not discriminate against a student or a student's parent on the basis of a religious viewpoint or religious expression. Provides that students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their submissions. Provides that public school students may pray or engage in religious activities or religious expression before, during, and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that students may engage in nonreligious activities or expression. Provides that students in public schools may wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display religious messages or religious symbols in the same manner and to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted. Requires the department of education, in collaboration with the attorney general's office and organizations with expertise in religious civil liberties, to establish a model policy. Provides that each school corporation may include as an elective in the school corporation's high school curriculum a course surveying religions of the world.
 Current Status:   4/27/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/18/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/17/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1024
 
HB1043REFERENDUM AND REMONSTRANCE PROCESS. (THOMPSON J) Increases the threshold used for purposes of determining whether a capital project is a controlled project as follows: (1) In the case of an ordinance or resolution adopted after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2019, making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or to enter into a lease for the project, the threshold is increased from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000. (2) In the case of an ordinance or resolution adopted after December 31, 2018, making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for the project, the threshold is increased by applying the assessed value growth quotient for the year to the threshold amount determined for the preceding year. Specifies that a capital project is also a controlled project if the cost of the project will exceed: (1) 1% of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision, if that total gross assessed value is more than $100,000,000; or (2) $1,000,000, if the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision is not more than $100,000,000. Increases the thresholds used for applying the petition and remonstrance process and referendum process as follows: (1) In the case of an ordinance or resolution adopted after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2019, making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or to enter into a lease for the project, the threshold is increased from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 for school building projects and from $12,000,000 to $15,000,000 for any civil unit project. (2) In the case of an ordinance or resolution adopted after December 31, 2018, making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for the project, the threshold is increased by applying the assessed value growth quotient for the year to the threshold amount determined for the preceding year. Provides that a school building project is also subject to the referendum process if the cost of the project will exceed: (1) 1% of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision, if that total gross assessed value is more than $1,000,000,000; or (2) $10,000,000, if the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision is not more than $1,000,000,000. Provides that a civil unit project is also subject to the referendum process if the cost of the project will exceed: (1) 1% of the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision, if that total gross assessed value is more than $100,000,000; or (2) $1,000,000, if the total gross assessed value of property within the political subdivision is not more than $100,000,000. Provides that a controlled project for which a political subdivision makes a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease is subject to the referendum process if the sum of: (1) the cost of that controlled project; plus (2) the costs of all other controlled projects for which the political subdivision has previously adopted within the preceding 365 days an ordinance or resolution making a preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for those other controlled projects; exceeds $25,000,000. Requires that a political subdivision's notice of the preliminary determination to issue bonds or enter into a lease for a controlled project must also include information concerning the estimated amount of the political subdivision's debt service levy and rate that will result during the following 10 years if the political subdivision issues the bonds or enters into the lease, after also considering any changes that will occur to the debt service levy and rate during that period on account of any outstanding bonds or lease obligations that will mature or terminate. Provides that a petition objecting that a political subdivision has divided a controlled project in order to avoid the requirements of the petition and remonstrance process or the referendum process must be filed with the department of local government finance (DLGF) not more than 10 days after the political subdivision gives notice of the political subdivision's determination to issue bonds or enter into leases for the capital project. Specifies that if the DLGF determines that a political subdivision divided a controlled project in order to avoid the referendum requirements and the political subdivision continues to desire to proceed with the project, the political subdivision may appeal the determination of the DLGF to the Indiana board of tax review. Specifies that a political subdivision shall be considered to have divided a capital project in order to avoid the requirements of the petition and remonstrance process or the referendum process if the result of one or more of the subprojects cannot reasonably be considered an independently desirable end in itself without reference to another capital project. Relocates existing law concerning calculation of the cost of certain projects by a school corporation career and technical education school to a separate section within the controlled projects statute. Requires a political subdivision to: (1) conduct at least two public hearings on a preliminary determination concerning a controlled project (rather than one hearing under current law); and (2) make certain information available to the public at each of the public hearings. Provides that if a referendum for a controlled project or for a school operating referendum fund property tax levy is defeated, another referendum may not be held earlier than 700 days after the date of the first referendum (rather than 350 days under current law). Specifies that the 350 day limit applies if a sufficient petition requesting that limit is submitted by property owners or voters. Provides that a school corporation operating referendum fund property tax levy may not be imposed for more than eight years. (Current law provides that the referendum levy may not be imposed for more than seven years.) Applies to a referendum that takes place after June 30, 2017.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 558: yeas 86, nays 10; Rules Suspended
4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (S) Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 533: yeas 49, nays 1; Rules Suspended
 State Bill Page:   HB1043
 
HB1069IMMUNIZATIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS. (BACON R) Adds meningitis to the required immunizations a student matriculating to a residential campus of a state educational institution must be immunized against. Specifies that the immunizations must be conducted in accordance with specified federal recommendations. Adds an expiration date to the law requiring a state educational institution to disseminate information concerning the meningococcal disease and immunization and deletes a reference to that requirement. Provides that the new immunization requirements do not take effect until the first academic term following July 1, 2018. Makes conforming and technical changes.
 Current Status:   4/24/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1069
 
HB1079SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT AND TEACHER LICENSURE. (THOMPSON J) Amends the time by which a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school must conduct expanded criminal history checks for applicants for employment. Requires a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school to conduct an expanded child protection index check concerning each applicant for employment before or not later than 60 days after the applicant's employment. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school shall require an expanded criminal history check on each employee every five years. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school may implement the requirement for updated background checks for current employees over a five year period. Provides that an applicant is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining the expanded criminal history check and expanded child protection index check unless the school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school agrees to pay the costs. Provides that an employee of a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school may not be required to pay the costs of an expanded child protection index check. Makes an exception to the provision that an applicant or employee may not be required to obtain an expanded criminal history check more than one time during a five year period. Requires each school corporation, charter school, and nonpublic school with one or more employees to adopt a policy requiring the school employer of the school corporation or charter school to contact references and, if applicable, the most recent employer provided by a prospective employee, before the school corporation or charter school may hire the prospective employee. Prohibits a school from hiring persons who have been convicted of certain crimes. Adds human trafficking to the list of offenses requiring license revocation. Permits the department of education (department) to reinstate the license of a person convicted of certain crimes if the conviction is reversed, vacated, or set aside on appeal. Requires the division of state court administration to weekly transmit a list of persons convicted of specified crimes to the department, and requires the department to: (1) compare this list with the department's list of licensed employees; and (2) revoke the license of a licensed employee who has been convicted of a specified offense. Provides that a presentence investigation includes gathering information with respect to whether the convicted defendant holds a teaching license or is a teacher. Provides that a superintendent (in addition to a principal under current law) may initiate the cancellation of a teacher's contract by providing notice to the teacher of the superintendent's preliminary decision.
 Current Status:   4/26/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1079
 
HB1117PERFORMANCE BOND REQUIREMENTS. (MILLER D) Provides that a local governmental unit and a land developer may agree to the partial release of a performance bond or other surety required of the land developer to ensure the completion of certain unfinished improvements and installations in a subdivision on a more frequent basis than an annual basis. (Under current law, a performance bond or other surety may be partially released on an annual basis, which would continue to be permitted.) Provides that a contractor is not required to submit a payment bond for a public works contract of a state educational institution if the amount to be paid under the contract is less than $500,000 and the state educational institution agrees to waive the requirement. Provides that a contractor is not required to submit a performance bond for a public works contract of a state educational institution if the amount to be paid under the contract is less than $500,000 and the state educational institution agrees to waive the requirement. Makes a technical change to make language in the statute uniform.
 Current Status:   4/24/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1117
 
HB1136LATCH KEY PROGRAMS. (FRIZZELL D) Provides that a school corporation may include children who attend preschool offered by the school corporation in a school age child care program (commonly referred to as a latch key program) conducted by the school corporation.
 Current Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/18/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/17/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1136
 
HB1148CANNABIDIOL AND TREATMENT RESISTANT EPILEPSY. (FRIEND W) Defines "cannabidiol" and "substance containing cannabidiol" and establishes a cannabidiol registry for certain persons for the use of a substance containing cannabidiol in the treatment of an individual with treatment resistant epilepsy. Requires the state department of health to maintain the registry. Provides that the offense of possession of paraphernalia applies to the possession of certain items used in connection with lawfully possessed cannabidiol. Establishes defenses to: (1) possession of marijuana; and (2) an allegation that a person has violated a condition of supervised release; if the charge or violation is based on the use of a substance containing cannabidiol.
 Current Status:   4/26/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1148
 
HB1178VOTER REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSACTIONS. (KERSEY C) Provides that when an individual transacts business with a license branch, other than for a motor vehicle driver's license, permit, or identification card, the license branch employee assisting the individual shall ask the individual whether the individual wants to register to vote or change the individual's voter registration record. Provides that, if the individual is provided with a paper voter registration application form by the license branch employee, the individual, rather than the license branch, is responsible for filing the form with the appropriate county voter registration office.
 Current Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/18/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/17/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1178
 
HB1281VARIOUS HIGHER EDUCATION MATTERS. (SULLIVAN H) Allows the commission for higher education (commission) to extend, with limitations, eligibility for certain grants or reductions in tuition or fees for recipients who used the grants or reductions in tuition or fees at postsecondary educational institutions that have closed. Amends provisions regarding renewal of certain scholarships and tuition and fee remissions. Changes the term "professional degree program" to "professional degree program or accelerated graduate degree program" and amends the definition. Amends the provision regarding the use of renewals and extensions of certain grants or reductions in tuition or fees for professional degree programs or accelerated graduate degree programs. Allows recipients of certain grants, scholarships, or remissions of fees to: (1) use, with certain limitations, funds from the grants, scholarships, or remissions of fees to pay for costs associated with prior learning assessments that the student attempts to earn during the academic year in which the student receives the grants, scholarships, or remissions of fees; and (2) count anticipated credit hours for prior learning assessments toward attendance requirements. Establishes the tuition and fee exemption reimbursement fund to provide reimbursement to state educational institutions for certain tuition and fee remissions. Provides that the commission, in coordination with the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, shall administer the primary care shortage area scholarship. (Current law provides that the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine shall administer the scholarship.) Requires a scholarship recipient to enter into an agreement with the commission (instead of the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine). Requires the commission to: (1) study and make recommendations regarding the benefits of a reverse transfer policy for Indiana students and prepare a report regarding the recommendations; and (2) submit, not later than November 1, 2017, the report to the budget agency and legislative council.
 Current Status:   4/26/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1281
 
HB1344LEAD AND ARSENIC SOIL CONTAMINATION IN EAST CHICAGO. (HARRIS JR. E) Defines "East Chicago area of special concern" to refer to the areas of the city of East Chicago in which lead or arsenic has been discovered in the soil through testing or in which the presence of lead or arsenic in the soil is probable. Encourages the department of environmental management (IDEM) to cooperate with and provide assistance to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the sampling, excavation, and removal of contaminated soil and restoration work in the East Chicago area of special concern. Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority to cooperate with and provide assistance to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in the relocation of residents of the East Chicago area of special concern to other residential areas. Requires the state agencies and, if necessary, the attorney general to collect from the EPA the reasonable costs incurred by the state agencies in providing the assistance. Requires IDEM to conduct testing of the water supply for East Chicago to determine whether it is in compliance with the national primary drinking water regulations for lead.
 Current Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/18/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/17/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1344
 
HB1382CHARTER SCHOOLS. (BEHNING R) Changes the definition of a charter school organizer. Requires each authorizer to establish a charter school Internet web page. Makes changes to the minimum standards for renewing a charter. Makes changes to the procedure for suspending an authorizer from authorizing a charter school. Provides that an authorizer is considered a state educational authority within the meaning of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Provides that a: (1) charter school or a participating innovation network charter school located in a county with a consolidated city; or (2) governing body of a school corporation with regard to transfer students; must determine which students may attend the school by using a publicly verifiable random selection process. (Current law provides attendance must be determined by a random drawing in a public meeting.) Makes changes to information that an education service provider must provide to a charter school. Provides that an authorizer must provide notification of acceptance or rejection of a proposal to establish a charter school within 75 days unless the authorizer and organizer agree to an extension of not more than 15 days. (Current law provides that notification must be provided within 75 days.) Provides that an organizer shall immediately inform the authorizer if its tax exempt status is questioned, modified, or revoked by the Internal Revenue Service or if its nonprofit corporation status is questioned, modified, or revoked by the state. Makes changes to the information an authorizer is required to report to the department of education (department). Changes procedures relating to the renewal of a charter. Requires a charter school organizer to submit a statement of economic interest for each board member of a proposed charter school. Requires an authorizer that is a state educational institution to assign authorization responsibilities to another entity. Makes changes to a provision relating to the qualifications of charter school teachers. Makes changes to a provision relating to the distribution of state funds to a charter school that does not have its charter renewed or terminated. Makes changes to the definition of a virtual charter school. Requires a virtual charter school to adopt a student engagement policy. Makes changes to which innovation network schools can receive a grant from the innovation network school grant fund. Provides that a governing body may enter into an agreement with an organizer to reconstitute certain schools as a participating innovation network charter school or to establish a participating innovation network charter school at a location selected by the board within the boundary of the school corporation. Provides that a participating innovation network charter school may be eligible for innovation network school grant funding. Provides that a participating innovation network charter school with a curriculum that includes study in a foreign country may deny admission to a student if certain conditions apply. Provides that an authorizer of a charter school is responsible for ensuring that the charter school is in compliance with applicable legal standards. Requires an organizer of a charter school closing for any reason to ensure the transfer of all charter school records, including student records, to the department. Repeals a provision that provides that the state board of education may require an authorizer to appear at a hearing conducted by the state board if the authorizer has renewed the charter of or failed to close a charter school that does not meet the minimum standards in the charter agreement. Repeals a provision establishing the charter school review panel.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 535: yeas 72, nays 27; Rules Suspended
4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (S) Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 518: yeas 37, nays 12; Rules Suspended
 State Bill Page:   HB1382
 
HB1384VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Provides that before July 1, 2018, the state board of education (state board) shall establish a definition of a high mobility school for schools with a high concentration of mobile students. Provides that for each school year beginning after June 30, 2018, the department of education (department) shall make a report regarding the performance of high mobility schools and post the report on the department's Internet web site. Provides that for purposes of calculating a school's category or designation of school improvement, the state board shall consider the mobility of high school students who are credit deficient and whether any high school should be rewarded for enrolling credit deficient students or penalized for transferring out credit deficient students. Provides that $50,000 is the maximum grant a school corporation or charter school may receive under the dual language immersion pilot program. Provides that appropriations to the department to provide grants to school corporations for high ability students must be for expenditures beyond those for regular educational programs. Provides that the state board may accredit a nonpublic school at the time the nonpublic school begins operation in Indiana. Provides that the state board may accredit a nonpublic school that enters into a contract with the state board to become a freeway school at the time the nonpublic school enters into the contract. Provides that a choice scholarship school may submit a request to the state board to waive or delay certain consequences if it is placed in the two lowest categories or designations of school improvement for a particular school year. Provides that the state board may grant a request to an eligible school that requests a delay or waiver if the choice scholarship school demonstrates that a majority of students in the eligible school demonstrated academic improvement during the preceding school year. Requires a school corporation to issue, upon request of a parent, a posthumous diploma to a student who: (1) dies while enrolled in grade 12 of a school in the school corporation; and (2) was academically eligible or on track to meet the requirements for the diploma at the time of death. Requires the department to conduct a review of each high school's graduation cohort on a schedule determined by the department. Prohibits a school from classifying a student as, or applying an exit code or description that indicates that a student is, leaving a cohort for the reason of removal by a student's parents to provide instruction equivalent to that given in the school unless the school has substantial evidence that the parent or guardian of the student initiated the student leaving the cohort. Amends requirements for an individual who obtains a position as a school social worker. Makes changes to the composition of the board of trustees for Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Provides that a school corporation may designate a full-time employee of the school corporation to represent the school corporation in a small claims court action to collect unpaid required fees if the claim does not exceed $1,500. Provides that all students, regardless of age, enrolled in an adult high school must be included and calculated under the same requirements, metrics, and goals established under the alternative accountability system to assess the performance of an adult high school system. Makes technical corrections.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 549: yeas 69, nays 29; Rules Suspended
4/21/2017 - House Conference Committees Eligible for Action
 State Bill Page:   HB1384
 
HB1395APPOINTMENTS TO LOCAL BOARDS. (ELLINGTON J) Amends the Lake County innkeeper's tax statute concerning the removal of a member of the Lake County convention and visitor bureau. Requires, in determining the political affiliation of an appointee to a board of a political subdivision, that the primary election in which the appointee voted is a primary election in Indiana. Provides that the determination of the political affiliation of a potential appointee to a local board who has never voted in a primary election in Indiana is made by the certification of the county chairman of the political party with which the potential appointee is affiliated. Requires that the county chairman's certification of an appointee's political affiliation be filed with the office of the circuit court clerk (clerk) not later than the time the oath of office of the appointee is filed with the clerk or the appointment is void. Provides that if, after the expiration of the term of an appointed member of a local board, the vacancy is not filled by the appointing authority within 90 days after the expiration of the term, the county chairman of the political party of the member whose term has expired shall make the appointment. Requires a person to be appointed for the remaining unexpired term of a vacating plan commission member not later than 90 days after the vacancy occurs. In a city having a park board and a city civil engineer, removes the requirement that the park board's appointee to the city plan commission be a member of the park board. Makes conforming changes.
 Current Status:   4/26/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/18/2017 - House concurred in Senate amendments; Roll Call 494: yeas 61, nays 34
 State Bill Page:   HB1395
 
HB1396TEACHER LICENSING FOR MILITARY SPOUSES. (MCNAMARA W) Requires the state board of education to adopt rules, including emergency rules, that establish procedures to expedite the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a teacher license to a military spouse whose husband or wife is assigned to a duty station in Indiana. (Current law allows, but does not require, the state board to adopt such rules.)
 Current Status:   3/29/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   3/23/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
3/23/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1396
 
HB1430SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION. (OLTHOFF J) Provides that, after June 30, 2018, each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school: (1) shall require all teachers; and (2) may require any other appropriate school employees; who are employed at schools that provide instruction to students in any combination of grade 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 to attend or participate in evidence based inservice youth suicide awareness and prevention training every three school years. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to: (1) develop a statewide program for suicide prevention; and (2) employ a coordinator of the statewide program for suicide prevention. Requires the coordinator to study and determine: (1) the professions that should be required to receive training on suicide assessment, treatment, and management; and (2) the manner in which to fund the training. Requires the coordinator to report the determinations to the legislative council not later than December 31, 2017. Requires emergency medical services providers to complete an evidence based training program concerning suicide assessment, treatment, and management. Requires each school corporation to adopt a policy addressing measures intended to increase child suicide awareness and prevention. Establishes requirements regarding the policy. Requires an approved postsecondary educational institution to adopt a policy concerning suicide information and resources.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1430
 
HB1431EXECUTIVE SESSIONS AND OPEN RECORDS. (GIAQUINTA P) Provides that a governing body may admit to an executive session of the governing body an individual who has been elected to the governing body but has not been sworn in as a member of the governing body. Allows a state educational institution to: (1) meet in executive session to discuss certain matters concerning establishment of a collaborative relationship or venture to advance the research, engagement, or education mission of the state educational institution; and (2) withhold records from public disclosure that are created while the negotiations are in progress. Amends the tabulation of a provision regarding negotiations of certain state and local government entities to reflect that all of the listed entities negotiate with industrial, research, or commercial prospects.
 Current Status:   4/26/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/18/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/17/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1431
 
HB1449TEACHER INDUCTION PILOT PROGRAM. (DEVON D) Makes changes to who may submit a plan to participate in the career pathways and mentorship program. Establishes the Indiana new educator induction program (program) to give new teachers, principals, and administrators mentoring support. Provides that grants for the program may be made from the system for teacher and student advancement grant fund. Provides that, not later than July 1, 2018, and each July thereafter, the state board of education shall submit a report to the governor and the general assembly regarding the status of the program. Establishes the Indiana educator residency pilot program. Urges the legislative council to assign to the education interim study committee for study during the 2017 legislative interim the topic of teacher residency programs. Urges the legislative council to assign to the education interim study committee for study during the 2017 legislative interim the topic of new teacher induction programs.
 Current Status:   4/24/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1449
 
HB1507SCHOOL BUSES. (SOLIDAY E) Provides that a special education cooperative or school corporation may enter into an agreement with an agency or organization serving individuals with a developmental disability in which a school bus or special purpose bus used by the special education cooperative or school corporation may be used to transport individuals with a developmental disability. (Current law provides that a special education cooperative or school corporation may enter into an agreement with a state supported agency serving individuals with a developmental disability in which a school bus or special purpose bus may be used to transport individuals with a developmental disability.) Removes a requirement that an individual with a developmental disability must live within the boundaries of the special education cooperative or school corporation.
 Current Status:   2/23/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   2/21/2017 - Signed by the President of the Senate
2/20/2017 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 State Bill Page:   HB1507
 
HB1537PENSION THIRTEENTH CHECKS. (GUTWEIN D) Provides for thirteenth checks in 2017 and 2018 for certain members of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit system.
 Current Status:   4/20/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/18/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/17/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   HB1537
 
HB1644STUDY OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS ISSUES. (SUMMERS V) Urges the legislative council to assign to the appropriate study committee issues concerning: (1) the need to license individuals who practice applied behavior analysis; (2) independent centers that provide applied behavior analysis and the oversight that they receive to ensure their practices are current and fall under best practices and guidelines; and (3) the appropriate training and curriculum for teachers of students who attend kindergarten through grade 12 and receive special education services.
 Current Status:   4/12/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   3/28/2017 - Returned to the House without amendments
3/27/2017 - Senator Stoops added as cosponsor
 State Bill Page:   HB1644
 
HR47URGING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ASSIGN THE TOPIC OF SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE. (MACER K) Urging the legislative council to assign the topic of safe and supportive schools to the appropriate committee.
 Current Status:   3/27/2017 - Authored By Karlee Macer
 Recent Status:   
 State Bill Page:   HR47
 
SB29SCHOOL CURRICULUM. (KOCH E) Requires each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school to offer Indiana studies as a one semester elective course in its high school curriculum at least once every school year. Provides that the course may be offered through a course access program administered by the department of education (department). Makes changes to a provision regarding a functional workplace Spanish designation. Provides that the department shall conduct a survey of elementary and secondary school teachers, administrators, and members of governing bodies regarding whether the individuals surveyed are in favor of or opposed to mandatory instruction of cursive writing in elementary school and the reasons why an individual surveyed is in favor of or opposed to mandatory cursive writing instruction in elementary schools.
 Current Status:   4/25/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 State Bill Page:   SB29
 
SB30STUDENT SCHOOL INFORMATION. (KOCH E) Requires the department of education (department), for each spring semester and each fall semester, to distribute to each school corporation: (1) the name of each eligible school in which an eligible choice scholarship student who has legal settlement in the school corporation is enrolled; (2) the number of the eligible choice scholarship students who are enrolled in each eligible school for the school year; and (3) certain information regarding the number of students who have legal settlement in a school corporation and attend a public school maintained by another school corporation or a charter school. Requires the department to post the information on the department's Internet web site.
 Current Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/11/2017 - Senate concurred in House Amendments; Roll Call 444: yeas 46, nays 0
 State Bill Page:   SB30
 
SB46VARIOUS PENSION MATTERS. (BOOTS P) Establishes a single special death benefit fund to replace the two separate death benefit funds established under current law to pay death benefit claims to the beneficiaries of public safety officers or other state public employees who die in the line of duty. Provides that death benefits paid to beneficiaries of members of the following funds who die in the line of duty are to be paid from the special death benefit fund instead of the pension relief fund: (1) The 1925 police pension fund. (2) The 1937 firefighters' fund. (3) The 1953 police pension fund (Indianapolis). (4) The 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund. Allows an individual who is a member of both the public employees' retirement fund (PERF) and the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF) to make independent elections concerning the amounts credited to the member in the annuity savings account of each fund. Allows a member of PERF or TRF, or both, to do the following with the money credited to the member in a PERF or TRF annuity savings account, in any combination: (1) Retain and continue to invest all or part of the money in the annuity savings account. (2) Receive one or more distributions of all or part of the money in the annuity savings account. (3) Obtain an annuity with all or part of the money in the annuity savings account. Provides that if survivor benefits under PERF or TRF are forfeited for the failure of a survivor to claim the benefits within three years of the death of a member, the money to pay the benefits must be credited in the manner provided by the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system, rather than to PERF or TRF specifically. Provides that the minimum pension benefit for a regularly retired member of TRF who receives an unreduced pension benefit is $185 per month. Makes an appropriation. (The introduced verison of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)
 Current Status:   4/13/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/13/2017 - Signed by the President of the Senate
4/10/2017 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 State Bill Page:   SB46
 
SB60STATE EXECUTIVE OFFICER SALARIES. (HEAD R) Establishes the executive officers compensation advisory commission to do the following: (1) For each executive state officer (governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, state superintendent of public instruction, and attorney general), determine the most recent year that the executive officer received a salary increase. (2) Receive information relating to the salaries of executive officers. (3) Consider recommendations for suitable salaries for executive officers. (4) Take testimony relating to the salaries of executive officers.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/11/2017 - Senate concurred in House Amendments; Roll Call 447: yeas 45, nays 3
 State Bill Page:   SB60
 
SB61COMMISSION ON SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT. (HEAD R) Requires the commission on seclusion and restraint in schools (commission) to adopt rules concerning reporting requirements for the use of seclusion and restraint by school resource officers. Requires that the commission include a member of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association. Provides that a school corporation, accredited nonpublic school, or charter school must report incidents of seclusion and restraint involving a school resource officer. Provides that the commission may adopt emergency rules. Voids a rule adopted by the commission that excludes school resource officers from the reporting requirements. Makes changes to the duties of the commission. Provides that if the department of education (department) has been advised of a discrepancy in a report, the department shall require the school to provide a written explanation of the discrepancy to the department. Provides that the department has the authority to require schools to submit seclusion and restraint plans. Provides that the department shall review incident rules and submit summary findings to the commission in compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Provides that the commission shall review summary findings submitted by the department and may make nonbinding recommendations to the department or other entities. Provides that if the department receives a recommendation from the commission, the department shall send a response with regard to recommendations made by the commission.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/21/2017 - Senate Conference Committees Eligible for Action
 State Bill Page:   SB61
 
SB77REGULATION OF FOOD DISPENSING MICRO MARKETS. (FORD J) Provides that a retail food establishment that is a micro market is not required to have a person in charge present at the micro market if certain requirements are met.
 Current Status:   4/13/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/10/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
3/21/2017 - Third reading passed; Roll Call 282: yeas 96, nays 0
 State Bill Page:   SB77
 
SB108EDUCATION MATTERS. (KRUSE D) Provides that when a school corporation authorizes an absence to permit a student to attend any educationally related nonclassroom activity, the student may not be recorded as being absent on any date for which the excuse is operative and may not be penalized by the school. Provides that an initial school improvement plan must be established and approved by the governing body not later than August 1 of the school year in which the plan is to be implemented. Requires: (1) the Indiana education employment relations board (board) to publish a model compensation plan with a model salary range that a school corporation may adopt; (2) each school corporation to submit its local compensation plan to the board; and (3) the board to publish local compensation plans on the board's Internet web site. (Under current law, the department of education publishes and oversees the model compensation plan and local compensation plans.) Provides that the board: (1) shall review a compensation plan for compliance; and (2) has jurisdiction to determine compliance of a compensation plan submitted. Establishes an expiration for emergency rules that the board adopts. Requires a school corporation that has a compensation plan but does not have a ratified collective bargaining agreement to, not later than October 1 of the year in which the compensation plan becomes effective, submit the school corporation's compensation plan to the board. Provides that, if a school corporation does not submit the compensation plan by October 1, the compensation plan is considered not in compliance unless a compliance officer of the board finds good cause shown for the delay. Provides that a principal or superintendent, or the principal's or superintendent's designee, may recommend an individual to participate in the Indiana high school equivalency diploma program. Allows the governing body of a school corporation to deny a request for a student to transfer to the school corporation or discontinue enrollment, or establish terms or conditions for enrollment or for continued enrollment, if the student has a history of unexcused absences and the governing body believes that, based on the location of the student's residence, attendance would be a problem. Provides that a special needs bus may be used to provide transportation for asibling of a student with a developmental or physical disability. Requires the department of education (department), in collaboration with the state board of education, to prepare a report that includes recommendations regarding certificated employee evaluations. Requires the department, not later than November 1, 2017, to submit the report to the general assembly. Provides that a provision requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation training applies to a charter school other than a virtual charter school. Requires, before December 1, 2017, the department of workforce development to commission an entity that specializes in improving access to adult literacy programs to: (1) prepare and submit a report regarding adult literacy programs to the legislative council; and (2) present the report to the state workforce innovation council.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Joint Rule 20 technical correction adopted by the Senate
4/21/2017 - Joint Rule 20 technical correction adopted by the House
 State Bill Page:   SB108
 
SB182SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACTS. (HOUCHIN E) Provides that a contract entered into or renewed after June 30, 2017, between a governing body and its superintendent is subject to the following conditions: (1) The contract must, with an exception for an extension, be for a term of at least one year and not more than three years. (2) If the contract contains a provision that establishes an amount the governing body must pay to the superintendent to buy out the contract, the amount may not be more than an amount equal to the lesser of: (A) the superintendent's salary for any one year under the contract; or (B) $250,000. Provides that a superintendent (in addition to a principal under current law) may initiate the cancellation of a teacher's contract by providing notice to the teacher of the superintendent's preliminary decision.
 Current Status:   4/27/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/10/2017 - Senate concurred in House Amendments; Roll Call 432: yeas 43, nays 6
 State Bill Page:   SB182
 
SB196SCHOOL DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATIONS. (KENLEY L) Provides the following for purposes of the school bond payment intercept statute: (1) The term "debt service obligations" also includes principal and interest payable to a school corporation's designated paying agent under a written agreement entered into in connection with the issuance of a school corporation's general obligation bonds. (2) Upon being notified of a school corporation's failure to pay debt service obligations when due, the treasurer of state shall within five days pay the unpaid debt service obligations that are due from state funds, in an amount equal to the amount of the unpaid debt service obligations that are due to the claimant (but only to the extent that amounts are available to the treasurer of state to fulfill this requirement). (3) The treasurer of state shall provide notice of the request by a claimant to the budget director, the auditor of state, and any department or agency of the state responsible for distributing funds appropriated by the general assembly for distribution to the school corporation from state funds, and such a department or agency of the state shall transfer those funds to the treasurer of state for purposes of paying the unpaid debt service obligations. (4) The amounts made available to the treasurer of state for this purpose shall be made from the following sources and in the following order of priority: (A) First, from amounts appropriated by the general assembly for the state fiscal year for distribution to the school corporation from state funds. (B) Second, from any remaining amounts appropriated by the general assembly for distribution for tuition support in each state fiscal year in excess of the aggregate amount of tuition support needed for distribution to school corporations. (C) Third, to the extent that the general assembly has adopted a biennial budget appropriating amounts in the immediately succeeding state fiscal year for distribution to the school corporation from state funds, then from such fund or account, as determined by the state budget director (from which fund or account there is appropriated to the treasurer of state an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) the unpaid debt service obligations not paid from the other sources; or (ii) the amount appropriated by the general assembly for the immediately succeeding state fiscal year for distribution to the school corporation). (5) If any amounts are transferred to the treasurer of state to pay the unpaid debt service obligations of the school corporation, the applicable department or agency shall recover those amounts by deducting an amount equal to the transfer from any future amounts to be distributed to the school corporation from state funds.
 Current Status:   4/25/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 State Bill Page:   SB196
 
SB198CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. (LONG D) Requires the state board of education to use data from the department of workforce development (DWD) in developing and implementing certain plans, recommendations, and other matters relating to career and technical education. Requires the department of education (department) to implement a pilot program for instruction in and use of the Indiana career explorer program and curriculum by all students in grade 8 attending the schools in 15 schools. Provides that the pilot program expires July 1, 2018, unless the department determines the pilot program shall be extended until July 1, 2019. Provides that beginning on July 1 in the year in which the pilot program expires, each school in a school corporation and each charter school must include in the school's curriculum for all students in grade 8 either: (1) instruction in and use of the Indiana career explorer program and curriculum; or (2) an alternative system and curriculum approved by the department in consultation with the DWD. Requires the DWD, with review and approval of the state board of education, to designate each career and technical education program (program) based on specified program designations. Provides that a program must be approved by the DWD in order for a school corporation to receive a career and technical education enrollment grant (grant). Specifies the calculation and the amount of a school corporation's grant beginning after June 30, 2018. Makes changes to the definitions used to determine grant amounts. Provides that each school corporation that receives a grant must report to the department the pupil count and per pupil cost for each program in which the school corporation receives a grant. Requires the department to post the school corporation's pupil count and per pupil costs reported to the department on the department's Internet web site. Specifies the requirements for the award of a high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant and a high value workforce ready noncredit-bearing grant. Adds an applicant who attends or has attended an accredited nonpublic school or a nonaccredited nonpublic school as eligible to receive a high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant. Establishes conditions for the renewal of a high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant, and provides alternatives to maintenance of satisfactory academic progress that allow a student to qualify for and renew an adult student grant and a high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant. Establishes the maximum period during which a student may receive an adult study grant and a high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant. Establishes the high value workforce ready grant program implementation fund, administered by the DWD and the commission for higher education, to award high value workforce ready grants and administer the grant program. Requires the DWD to give a veteran or the spouse of a veteran priority for placement in any federal or state employment or training program administered by the DWD if the veteran or the veteran's spouse: (1) submits documentation satisfactory to the DWD establishing the veteran's honorable discharge from service; and (2) meets the eligibility requirements for the program. Establishes an annual reporting requirement to the governor, the legislative council, the state workforce innovation council, and the DWD by state providers of workforce related programs concerning the results of each of those programs. Requires the governor's office to develop a comprehensive workforce development plan with assistance of the DWD, the commission for higher education, and the state board of education, and forward a copy of the report to the legislative council before November 1, 2017. Makes conforming amendments.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Senate Conference Committees Eligible for Action
4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 542: yeas 98, nays 0; Rules Suspended
 State Bill Page:   SB198
 
SB248CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS. (RAATZ J) Allows two or more school corporations situated in the same or adjoining counties to consolidate in a manner in which debts or obligations paid by a debt service levy incurred by a school corporation before the new consolidated school corporation comes into existence may be levied only on the taxpayers of the subunit that initially incurred the debt or obligation before consolidation. Provides that each school corporation is considered a subunit of the consolidated school corporation. Provides that the resolution consolidating the school corporations may declare: (1) that administrative functions of each subunit will be consolidated in the proposed consolidated school corporation; and (2) that the name or attendance area of each school within a subunit may remain unchanged after the date the consolidated school corporation comes into existence. Provides that, if two or more school corporations consolidate under the new consolidation provision, the department of local government finance shall set for the consolidated school corporation: (1) new maximum levies, which must equal the sum of the existing maximum levies adjusted for assessed value growth; and (2) a maximum capital projects levy rate. Relocates and amends the provision that provides that 20% of the legal voters residing in the district of any school corporation, jointly with 20% of the legal voters residing in the district of each of one or more other school corporations, may petition the trustees of their respective school corporations to consolidate the school corporations. Provides that the meeting that the governing bodies of the school corporations are required to hold one week after the date of the appearance of the last publication of notice of intention to consolidate must be a public meeting. Amends provisions concerning compensation and vacancies regarding the membership of the governing body after a consolidation. Provides that the governing body must meet to reorganize not more than 15 days after the commencement date of the members' terms of office.
 Current Status:   4/25/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 State Bill Page:   SB248
 
SB337STUDY OF ETHNIC AND RACIAL GROUPS COURSE. (TAYLOR G) Requires each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school to offer the study of ethnic and racial groups as a one semester elective course in its high school curriculum at least once every school year. Provides that the course may be offered through a course access program administered by the department of education.
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
 State Bill Page:   SB337
 
SB355CHILD ABUSE EDUCATION AND POLICIES. (MESSMER M) Requires, not later than July 1, 2018, the department of education (department) to make available model educational materials and model response policies and reporting procedures concerning child abuse and child sexual abuse to assist schools with the implementation of: (1) child abuse and child sexual abuse education programs in kindergarten through grade 12; and (2) child abuse and child sexual abuse response and reporting policies. (Current law requires the department to make available the model educational materials and model response policies and reporting procedures concerning child abuse and child sexual abuse to assist schools with the implementation of: (1) child abuse and child sexual abuse education programs in grades 2 through 5; and (2) child abuse and child sexual abuse response and reporting policies.) Requires that the: (1) materials and guidelines provided to assist a safe school committee in developing a plan and policy for a school include the model educational materials and the model response policies and reporting procedures; and (2) plan and policy developed by the safe school committee; must address the issues of child abuse and child sexual abuse. Requires the child abuse and child sexual abuse response and reporting policies to include information on the duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Beginning in 2018, requires, not later than December 15 of each year, a public school, including a charter school and an accredited nonpublic school, to provide age appropriate and research and evidence based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse to students in kindergarten through grade 12. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school that employs one or more employees may not establish a policy that restricts or delays the duty of an employee or individual to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Provides that the legislative council is urged to assign to the education interim study committee during the 2017 legislative interim the topic of teacher training requirements regarding student behavior and health issues.
 Current Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/13/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 State Bill Page:   SB355
 
SB390EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. (STOOPS M) Increases the number of members and changes the membership of the commission on rehabilitation services (commission). Makes changes in the terms of service of commission members and requires the governor to specify each member's term of service to ensure that terms expire on a staggered basis. Adds the following to the commission's duties: (1) Establish baseline data regarding the number of individuals with disabilities in competitive integrated employment and set annual goals for increasing the percentage of individuals with disabilities in competitive integrated employment. (2) Identify and resolve barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities. (3) Analyze federal, state, and local agency policies concerning the provision of services to individuals with disabilities, including the impact of those policies on opportunities for competitive integrated employment, and recommend changes to state policies. (4) Assist state agencies in the implementation of the policy concerning employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. (5) Provide an annual report to the governor and the rehabilitation services administration commissioner concerning the employment of individuals with disabilities. Provides that the policy (policy) of the state is to promote competitive integrated employment, including self-employment, as the first and preferred option when providing services to individuals with disabilities who are of working age. Provides that the policy applies to programs and agencies that provide services and support to help obtain employment for individuals with disabilities. Requires state agencies to implement the policy in a manner that is consistent with an individual's right to make an informed choice about employment options that meet an individual's needs and preferences. Provides that the primary objective and preferred outcome of transition services provided as part of a special education program or related services to a child with a disability who is at least 14 years of age is to assist the child in obtaining competitive integrated employment.
 Current Status:   4/13/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/10/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/3/2017 - Senate concurred in House Amendments; Roll Call 353: yeas 47, nays 0
 State Bill Page:   SB390
 
SB392EMERGENCY MEDICATION. (STOOPS M) Defines "emergency medication" as epinephrine, albuterol, or naloxone. Allows a school or school corporation to: (1) fill a prescription for an emergency medication; and (2) store the emergency medication. (Current law allows a school to fill a prescription for auto-injectable epinephrine and store the auto-injectable epinephrine.) Defines "emergency stock medication" as emergency medication to which both the following apply: (1) The prescription of the emergency medication is filled by a school or school corporation. (2) The emergency medication is stored at a school. Provides that injectable epinephrine filled by certain entities must have an expiration date of not less than 12 months from the date that the pharmacy dispenses the injectable epinephrine. Makes conforming changes regarding: (1) administering emergency stock medication; (2) prescribing and dispensing emergency medication; and (3) certain immunity from liability concerning the administration of emergency stock medication. Defines "school" and "school nurse". Requires the department of education (department) to develop guidance materials concerning emergency medication and post a copy of the materials on the department's Internet web site. Requires a school nurse or school employee to make a report if an emergency stock medication is administered and submit the report in an electronic format to the department.
 Current Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/10/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/3/2017 - Senate concurred in House Amendments; Roll Call 354: yeas 47, nays 0
 State Bill Page:   SB392
 
SB407EDUCATION MATTERS. (HOUCHIN E) Requires a school employer to submit a copy of the affidavit submitted by the exclusive representative indicating the number of teachers who are members of the exclusive representative to the Indiana education employment relations board (board). Requires the board to compile information included in the affidavit from each school corporation and post aggregate information on the board's Internet web site. Provides that the information posted by the board may not include any information that would identify a particular school employee. Requires the board to develop and post on its Internet web site training modules, videos, or other instructional material informing school employees of their rights to select an exclusive representative. Provides that each school year in which school employee participation in a school employee organization currently serving as the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit does not represent a majority of the school employees within the unit, the board shall notify the school employees of the bargaining unit of their right to: (1) representation; and (2) the ability to change their exclusive representative. Urges the general assembly to assign certain issues relating to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act to the education interim study committee.
 Current Status:   4/27/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/10/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
3/30/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 State Bill Page:   SB407
 
SB409COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. (HOUCHIN E) Provides that formal collective bargaining between a school corporation and an exclusive representative may not begin before September 15. Provides that before September 15 of the first year of the state budget biennium, the department of education shall provide the parties with an estimate of the general fund revenue available for bargaining in the school corporation from the school funding formula. Provides that if the parties do not receive a certified estimate from the department of education within 30 days after the fall count of ADM, the parties may use the school corporation's estimate of the general fund revenue available based on the school corporation's fall count of ADM. Provides that when a collective bargaining agreement expires, the current contract remains in effect with no increase or increment in salary, wages, or benefits until a new contract is executed. Removes a provision that allows a school employer not to continue the current contract if continuation would place the school employer in a position of deficit financing or cause an increase in an employer's expenditures. Requires the Indiana education employment relations board to amend an administrative rule regarding dismissals of petitions for representation. Provides that a factfinder must conduct a public hearing not before November 15, and the hearing must be completed by February 15 of the calendar year after the start of formal collective bargaining. Changes the date, from March 30 to May 31, by which the Indiana education employment relations board must review collective bargaining agreements submitted by a school employer.
 Current Status:   4/27/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/11/2017 - Senate concurred in House Amendments; Roll Call 452: yeas 48, nays 0
 State Bill Page:   SB409
 
SB412529 EDUCATION SAVINGS PLAN MATTERS. (KOCH E) Prohibits, unless otherwise provided under federal law, money in a 529 education savings account from being considered as a resource or asset in determining an applicant's or recipient's eligibility for: (1) certain public assistance programs; or (2) scholarships, grants, or awards administered by the commission for higher education.
 Current Status:   4/13/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/10/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
3/20/2017 - Returned to the Senate without amendments
 State Bill Page:   SB412
 
SB423SANCTUARY POLICIES AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. (YOUNG M) Prohibits a postsecondary educational institution from enacting or implementing an ordinance, a resolution, a rule, or a policy that prohibits or in any way restricts an employee of the postsecondary educational institution from taking certain actions with regard to information of the citizenship or immigration status of an individual.
 Current Status:   5/2/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/11/2017 - Senate concurred in House Amendments; Roll Call 454: yeas 38, nays 10
 State Bill Page:   SB423
 
SB447CHILD SERVICES. (MERRITT J) Requires child abuse and neglect training for school employees. Allows the department of child services (department) to share costs incurred in maintaining the new hire directory in accordance with federal law with the department of workforce development. Adds a definition of "concurrent planning". Adds a definition of "nonwaivable offense" and makes conforming changes. Allows the department to pay the criminal background check fee in certain adoption cases. Prohibits the department from charging a fee for state tax offsets. Amends provisions concerning restricted driving licenses. Provides that the department may not grant a variance or waiver of a rule to an applicant for a: (1) child care institution; (2) foster family home; (3) group home; or (4) child placing agency; license if the applicant has been convicted of certain felonies. Requires that a criminal history check be conducted on all members of the household of an applicant for a foster family home license. (Current law requires a criminal history check of household members 14 years of age or older.) Amends provisions governing sharing of jurisdiction between: (1) a court that has jurisdiction over a child in a marriage dissolution or paternity action; and (2) another court hearing a delinquency or child in need of services proceeding regarding the child. Permits a juvenile court to authorize drug and alcohol testing of a child under certain circumstances. Requires an individual who is required to make a report of abuse or neglect in the individual's capacity as a member of the staff of a hospital licensed under IC 16-21-2 to first notify the individual in charge of the hospital or the designated agent of the individual in charge of the hospital. Prohibits a public or nonpublic school, school corporation, facility, or agency from establishing a policy restricting an employee's duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Adds a written report as a means to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Amends a requirement that the department must notify the United States Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program (Program) regarding a substantiated investigation of abuse or neglect of a child of an active duty military member, to provide that the department must notify the Program upon request. Provides that a child: (1) who lives in the same household as another child who is a child in need of services because the other child is a victim of specified offenses; and (2) regarding whom a caseworker makes specified determinations; is a child in need of services. Provides that a child who: (1) is born with: (A) neonatal abstinence syndrome; or (B) a controlled substance, legend drug, or metabolite of a controlled substance or legend drug in the child's body, including in the child's blood, urine, umbilical cord tissue, or meconium; and (2) needs care, treatment, or rehabilitation the child is not receiving or unlikely to receive without court intervention; is a child in need of services, and establishes a rebuttable presumption that the conditions regarding the child's care, treatment, or rehabilitation are met if evidence exists that the child's mother used a controlled substance or a legend drug during pregnancy. Provides that a child in need of services may be placed in a residence at which a person who has been convicted of battery (rather than battery only as a felony, as provided in current law) resides, if the person's commission of the offense is not relevant to the person's ability to care for the child and the placement is in the best interests of the child. Makes optional (rather than required, as under current law) certain recommendations in a petition seeking participation of a parent, guardian, or custodian in a program of care, treatment, or rehabilitation of a child. Permits out-of-home placement of a child in a facility located outside Indiana only if there is not an equivalent facility (rather than a comparable facility, under current law) located in Indiana. Provides that a court may order a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child to participate in a mental health or addiction treatment program if the parent, guardian, or custodian will be participating in a program of care, treatment, or rehabilitation of the child. Prohibits filing by a child placing agency of a petition for voluntary termination of parental rights unless the petition is in furtherance of an adoption or other permanency plan. Requires a law enforcement agency to forward a missing child report to the department. Requires the department to complete a written report within 24 hours of receiving a report of a missing child. Requires the department to provide information concerning certain missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Provides that the consent of an agency or local office: (1) with lawful custody of a child whose adoption is being sought; and (2) who is served with a notice of adoption concerning the child; is not subject to being irrevocably implied. Provides immunity for a person who leaves an infant with a person who is an emergency medical services provider.
 Current Status:   4/26/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/21/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 State Bill Page:   SB447
 
SB475DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY. (MELTON E) Requires the state board of education to amend its rule establishing developmental delay as a disability category to provide that, beginning July 1, 2018, developmental delay is a disability category solely for students who are at least three years of age and less than nine years of age. (Currently, developmental delay is a disability category solely for students who are at least three years of age and not more than five years of age.) Adds developmental delay as a category for mild and moderate disabilities for purposes of determining special education grant amounts.
 Current Status:   4/13/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/10/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
3/30/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 State Bill Page:   SB475
 
SB498TEACHER COMPENSATION. (RAATZ J) Provides that certain factors may account for not more than 33.33% (instead of 33%) of the calculation used to determine a teacher's increase or increment in salary. Amends the factor concerning additional content area degrees and credit hours in determining a teacher's increase or increment in salary. Requires the department of education to grant an application to add an additional content area or areas to a valid Indiana teaching license if certain conditions apply.
 Current Status:   4/27/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/5/2017 - Returned to the Senate without amendments
 State Bill Page:   SB498
 
SB504PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS. (LEISING J) Requires that educational service centers provide services to a participating charter or certain nonpublic schools upon the request of the charter school. (This is in addition to current law that requires educational service centers to provide services to a participating school corporation upon request of the school corporation.) Allows charter schools or certain nonpublic school individually, in collaboration with other school corporations, charter schools, nonpublic schools or school corporations and charter schools or nonpublic schools acting jointly, and through the educational services centers, to undertake action to reduce noninstructional expenditures and allocate the resulting savings to student instruction and learning. Makes conforming changes to include charter schools and certain nonpublic schools in the actions that may be undertaken.
 Current Status:   4/21/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Signed by the Speaker
4/13/2017 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 State Bill Page:   SB504
 
SB567DISTRESSED AND FISCALLY IMPAIRED POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. (KENLEY L) Changes the membership of the distressed unit appeal board (DUAB) by replacing the voting member who is appointed by the chairperson of the legislative council with a member appointed by the governor and adding three nonvoting legislative members. Adds to and modifies the duties and powers of the DUAB. Designates the Gary Community School Corporation as a distressed political subdivision. Specifies the powers and duties of the emergency manager appointed for the Gary Community School Corporation. Establishes the fiscal management board for the Gary Community School Corporation, and provides that the fiscal management board shall make recommendations to the emergency manager and shall advise the emergency manager as requested by the emergency manager. Requires the emergency manager for the Gary Community School Corporation to employ a chief financial officer and chief academic officer for the school corporation. Specifies that the chief financial officer shall report to the emergency manager and shall assist the emergency manager and the fiscal management board in carrying out the day to day financial operations of the school corporation. Specifies that the chief academic officer shall report to the emergency manager and shall assist the emergency manager and the fiscal management board in carrying out the academic matters of the school corporation. Authorizes the DUAB to do the following concerning the Gary Community School Corporation: (1) Delay or suspend any payments of principal or interest, or both, that would otherwise be due from the school corporation on loans or advances from the common school fund. (2) Recommend to the state board of finance that the state board of finance make an interest free loan to the school corporation from the common school fund. (3) Establish benchmarks of financial improvement. (4) Provide grants to the school corporation, from funds appropriated to the DUAB, to assist the school corporation in overcoming short term financial problems. (5) Make a recommendation to the general assembly concerning the possible restructuring of advances made to the school corporation from the common school fund, including forgiveness of principal and interest on those advances. Requires the emergency manager to do the following: (1) Attempt to negotiate with the creditors of the school corporation to establish a plan specifying the schedule for paying each creditor. (2) Submit the plan to the DUAB for approval. Provides that the emergency manager must consult with the governing body of the school corporation, the fiscal management board, and the mayor of the city of Gary in developing the school corporation's annual budget, and that the DUAB must review and approve the school corporation's annual budget. Provides that the annual budget adopted by the emergency manager for the school corporation must dedicate a significant part of the school corporation's budget to eliminating the school corporation's debt obligations. Requires the emergency manager appointed for the Gary Community School Corporation to provide written notice to the mayor of the city of Gary at least 30 days before selling assets or transferring property, and specifies that if the mayor notifies the emergency manager of any concerns or objections regarding the proposed sale or transfer, the emergency manager must confer with the mayor regarding those concerns or objections. Provides that during the period after the effective date of the bill and before an emergency manager is appointed: (1) the financial specialist appointed for the Gary Community School Corporation may identify and implement labor force reductions, including contract cancellations due to a reduction in force; and (2) the governing body may not enter into or renew any contract unless that contract or contract renewal is first approved by the DUAB. Designates the Muncie Community Schools as a fiscally impaired school corporation. Specifies that the Muncie Community Schools' designation as a fiscally impaired school corporation is not a designation as a distressed political subdivision, and provides that the school corporation's designation as a fiscally impaired school corporation terminates on January 1, 2018. Requires the DUAB to appoint an emergency manager for the school corporation. Provides that the DUAB may immediately appoint the superintendent of the school corporation as the emergency manager for the school corporation on a temporary basis, and that this temporary appointment may continue for not more than six months. Provides that notwithstanding the powers, authority, and responsibilities otherwise granted to an emergency manager under the distressed political subdivision law, the emergency manager appointed for the Muncie Community Schools has only certain specified powers and duties while the school corporation is designated as a fiscally impaired school corporation. Provides that the emergency manager may on behalf of the school corporation negotiate and enter into labor contracts and collective bargaining agreements. Requires the emergency manager for the Muncie Community Schools to take actions necessary to implement a deficit reduction plan. Requires the DUAB to hold a public hearing not later than December 1, 2017, to determine if the school corporation should be designated as a distressed political subdivision effective January 1, 2018. Provides that after holding the public hearing, the DUAB shall either: (1) adopt a resolution providing that the school corporation will not be designated as a distressed political subdivision (if the DUAB makes certain findings); or (2) adopt a resolution designating the school corporation as a distressed political subdivision effective January 1, 2018. Provides that if the DUAB adopts a resolution designating the school corporation as a distressed political subdivision, the emergency manager shall, effective January 1, 2018, assume and exercise all of the powers, authority, and responsibilities granted to emergency managers under the distressed political subdivision statutes. Authorizes the treasurer of state to file a petition with the DUAB to have a school corporation designated as a distressed unit if the treasurer of state has reason to believe that the school corporation will not be able to pay the school corporation's debt service obligations as those debt service obligations become due. Requires notice to the Indiana education employment relations board (EERB) when a school corporation is designated as distressed. Replaces and adds conditions for terminating a political subdivision's distressed status. Adds, removes, modifies, and rearranges the duties and powers of an emergency manager regarding all political subdivisions and makes certain changes with regard to distressed school corporations. Provides a procedure for residents who want to appeal a decision of an emergency manager. Specifies that if a member of the fiscal management board is made a party to a civil suit, the attorney general is required to defend the fiscal management board member. Specifies for purposes of a claim against a governmental entity that a member of the fiscal management board, the emergency manager, chief financial officer, or chief academic officer is acting on behalf of the distressed political subdivision and not the state. Provides civil immunity for these individuals with respect to an act or omission made in the course and scope of duties prescribed by the DUAB. A
 Current Status:   4/28/2017 - Signed by the Governor
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - Senate Conference Committees Eligible for Action
4/21/2017 - Conference Committee Report Adopted (H) Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 546: yeas 88, nays 10; Rules Suspended
 State Bill Page:   SB567
 
SR8SUPPORTING INDIANA'S AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. (KRUSE D) A SENATE RESOLUTION supporting Indiana's after-school programs and the positive impact of the Indiana Afterschool Network.
 Current Status:   1/18/2017 - adopted voice vote
 Recent Status:   1/18/2017 - First Reading
1/18/2017 - Authored By Dennis Kruse
 State Bill Page:   SR8
 
SR17URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT TEACHERS WHO TEACH A DIVERSE CURRICULUM. (RAATZ J) A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Department of Education to reinforce support of teachers who choose to teach a diverse curriculum.
 Current Status:   2/27/2017 - Second reading adopted
 Recent Status:   2/27/2017 - Senate Resolutions Eligible for Adoption
2/23/2017 - Senator Crane added as coauthor
 State Bill Page:   SR17
 
SR47HONORING JOHN R. WOODEN. (RANDOLPH L) A SENATE RESOLUTION to honor John R. Wooden for taking a stand against segregation in collegiate basketball in 1947.
 Current Status:   3/30/2017 - adopted voice vote
 Recent Status:   3/30/2017 - First Reading
3/30/2017 - Authored By Lonnie Randolph
 State Bill Page:   SR47
 
SR53URGING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO STUDY FORMING A STATEWIDE LIBRARY CONSORTIUM FOR STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. (BROWN L) A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the legislative council to assign to the appropriate committee the topic of investigating the formation of a statewide library consortium for state educational institutions.
 Current Status:   4/19/2017 - Second reading adopted voice vote
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Senate Resolutions Eligible for Adoption
4/18/2017 - Committee Report do pass, adopted
 State Bill Page:   SR53
 
SR56URGING THE STUDY OF SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL CONDITION ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. (MELTON E) A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the legislative council to assign the topic of school district financial condition analysis and monitoring to the appropriate study committee.
 Current Status:   4/19/2017 - Second reading adopted voice vote
 Recent Status:   4/19/2017 - Senate Resolutions Eligible for Adoption
4/18/2017 - Committee Report do pass, adopted
 State Bill Page:   SR56
 
SR77URGING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ASSIGN THE TOPIC OF REGIONAL TEACHER EVALUATION TEAMS TO THE APPROPRIATE STUDY COMMITTEE. (HOUCHIN E) A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the legislative council to assign the topic of Regional Teacher Evaluation Teams to the appropriate study committee.
 Current Status:   4/21/2017 - adopted voice vote
 Recent Status:   4/21/2017 - First Reading
4/21/2017 - Authored By Erin Houchin
 State Bill Page:   SR77
 
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