Education Bills Tracked by ISTA
Prepared by: Keith Clock
Report created on March 28, 2024
 
Charter Schools
HB1093EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Amends the membership and duties of the early learning advisory committee. Makes changes to the definition of "school resource officer". Provides that, after June 30, 2023, if a school corporation or charter school enters into a contract for a school resource officer, certain school corporations or charter schools must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the law enforcement agency that employs or appointed the law enforcement officer who will perform the duties of a school resource officer. Provides that certain parties are prohibited from incentivizing the enrollment, reenrollment, or continued attendance of a student or prospective student by offering or giving an item that has monetary value. Requires the Indiana charter school board (board) to appoint an executive director to carry out the duties and daily operations of the board. Establishes the executive director's duties. Provides that the board shall establish certain processes. Establishes the Indiana charter school board fund and provides that money in the fund is appropriated continuously for purposes of the board. Provides that the department of education (department) may grant an accomplished practitioner's license under certain conditions. Establishes: (1) a definition for "virtual student instructional day"; and (2) requirements for virtual student instructional days. Provides that a public school may conduct not more than three virtual student instructional days that do not meet the established requirements. Provides that a public school that does not comply with these provisions may not count a student instructional day toward the 180 day student instructional day requirement. Allows the department to waive these requirements. Provides that the instructional days tuition support distribution formula take into account only certain schools and grades within a school corporation if fewer than all the schools fail to conduct the minimum number of student instructional days. Authorizes the department to study and, if recommended, use machine scoring. Provides that, after a school receives statewide assessment score reports, a teacher of a student shall discuss the student's statewide assessment results with a parent at the next parent/teacher conference or, if the school does not hold parent/teacher conferences, send a notice to a parent of the student offering to meet with the parent to discuss the results. Provides that the department may include in a contract entered into or renewed after June 30, 2022, with a statewide assessment vendor a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results that meets certain requirements. Changes the department's review period for certain funds. Provides that the state board of education shall assign to a school or school corporation (including adult high schools) a "null" or "no letter grade" for the 2021-2022 school year. Repeals a provision concerning staffing of the board.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 139
 
Collective Bargaining
HB1251VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires the department of education (department) to apply to the United States Department of Education for assessment flexibility. Requires the department to: (1) prepare a report that includes information and recommendations regarding establishing and implementing a parent-teacher compact program; and (2) submit the report to the legislative council not later than November 1, 2022. Provides that the state board of education (state board) shall, in consultation with postsecondary educational institutions and various businesses and industries, identify what skills or traits students need to be successful upon completion of high school. Requires the department to conduct a research study regarding academic standards. Requires the department to establish an online adjunct teacher portal. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may issue an adjunct teacher permit to an individual who meets certain requirements. Establishes requirements for adjunct teacher employment agreements. Provides that the employment agreements are not subject to certain requirements regarding teacher salaries and school corporation local compensation plans. Provides that: (1) an adjunct teacher is not a school employee for purposes of collective bargaining; and (2) an employment agreement with an adjunct teacher is not subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Provides that the school employer shall discuss the use of adjunct teachers with the exclusive representative of certificated employees. Requires the governing body of a school corporation to announce any vacant adjunct teacher positions at meetings of the governing body. Amends the definition of "primary use of the building" for certain applicable high schools for purposes of occupancy classification requirements. Amends the definition of "appropriate vehicle". Provides that a special purpose bus or an appropriate vehicle may be used to transport students under certain circumstances. Provides that the state board may adopt emergency rules relating to school accreditation. Provides that the driver of a special purpose bus or an appropriate vehicle must pass an expanded criminal history check and an expanded child protection index check. Makes changes to visual acuity requirements for a bus driver. Establishes the Indiana student enrichment grant program (program). Provides that an enrichment student is eligible to establish an Indiana enrichment scholarship account. Provides that an enrichment student may receive $1,000 to be used for certain qualified expenses. Provides that the department shall administer the program. Provides that the program expires July 1, 2025.
 Current Status: 3/18/2022 - Public Law 168
 
SB297SCHOOL EMPLOYEE DUES DEDUCTIONS. (BOOTS P) Amends the content of the statement that is required to be included on an authorization form for deducting school employee organization dues from school employee pay. Provides that the provision regarding the content of the statement applies only to collective bargaining agreements or contracts entered into, renewed, modified, extended, or amended after June 30, 2022.
 Current Status: 3/7/2022 - Public Law 22
 
SB356EDUCATION MATTERS. (ROGERS L) Makes changes to the requirements necessary to obtain an initial practitioner license for an individual who completes an alternative teacher certification program and changes regarding teaching special education under the license. Provides that, for school years beginning after June 30, 2022, a school corporation may provide a supplemental payment to a teacher in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan. (Current law allows a school corporation to provide supplemental payment to a teacher in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan if certain circumstances apply.)
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 134
 
CTE and Workforce Development
HB1094EDUCATION MATTERS. (TESHKA J) Requires, not later than December 31, 2022, the department of education (department) to: (1) issue a request for proposals for the purpose of contracting with a company to provide; or (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with a statewide entity to facilitate the procurement of; adequate employer liability and worker's compensation insurance coverage for employers that employ students in work based learning courses. Specifies an exception. Provides that the total amount of funds that the department may expend to carry out the request for proposals or the memorandum of understanding must be less than $100,000. Provides that an employer: (1) may purchase the employer liability and worker's compensation coverage; and (2) is responsible for paying any costs associated with purchasing the coverage. Requires that, if the state board of education grants the designation of a transformation zone within a school corporation after June 30, 2022, the governing body of the school corporation may enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to manage and operate all of the schools included in the transformation zone. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation or entity that is a party to any agreement for the management and operation of a transformation zone may submit a complaint first to the governing body, and second to the department for an alleged violation of the agreement. Provides that, not later than 15 days after the date an entity submits a complaint to the department, the department shall issue a decision concerning the complaint. Provides that employees of a transformation zone may organize and create a separate bargaining unit to collectively bargain with the entity operating the transformation zone.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 140
 
Funding/Financing
HB1002VARIOUS TAX MATTERS. (BROWN T) Specifies that the amount of excess combined reserves that may be transferred to the pre-1996 account in 2022 may not exceed $2,500,000,000. Reduces the individual adjusted gross income tax rate from 3.23% in 2022 to 3.15% in 2023 and 2024. Phases down the individual adjusted gross income tax rate after 2024 depending on certain conditions being met. Allows a taxpayer to elect a special property tax valuation method for mini-mill equipment. (Current law allows the method to be used only for certain integrated steel mill and oil refinery/petrochemical equipment.) Repeals the utility receipts and utility services use taxes. Requires a utility that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for the approval of rates and charges to file a rate adjustment with the IURC that adjusts the utility's rates and charges to reflect the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Requires a utility that is subject to the utility receipts tax and not under the jurisdiction of the IURC to adjust the utility's rates and charges to reflect the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Requires each utility to provide notice to the utility's customers that the adjustment in rates and charges reflects the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Specifies taxpayer procedure for the repeal of the utility receipts and utility services use tax. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services may not enter into a final contract that would implement a risk based managed care program or capitated program for the specified Medicaid population before January 31, 2023. Makes conforming changes.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 138
 
HB1093EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Amends the membership and duties of the early learning advisory committee. Makes changes to the definition of "school resource officer". Provides that, after June 30, 2023, if a school corporation or charter school enters into a contract for a school resource officer, certain school corporations or charter schools must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the law enforcement agency that employs or appointed the law enforcement officer who will perform the duties of a school resource officer. Provides that certain parties are prohibited from incentivizing the enrollment, reenrollment, or continued attendance of a student or prospective student by offering or giving an item that has monetary value. Requires the Indiana charter school board (board) to appoint an executive director to carry out the duties and daily operations of the board. Establishes the executive director's duties. Provides that the board shall establish certain processes. Establishes the Indiana charter school board fund and provides that money in the fund is appropriated continuously for purposes of the board. Provides that the department of education (department) may grant an accomplished practitioner's license under certain conditions. Establishes: (1) a definition for "virtual student instructional day"; and (2) requirements for virtual student instructional days. Provides that a public school may conduct not more than three virtual student instructional days that do not meet the established requirements. Provides that a public school that does not comply with these provisions may not count a student instructional day toward the 180 day student instructional day requirement. Allows the department to waive these requirements. Provides that the instructional days tuition support distribution formula take into account only certain schools and grades within a school corporation if fewer than all the schools fail to conduct the minimum number of student instructional days. Authorizes the department to study and, if recommended, use machine scoring. Provides that, after a school receives statewide assessment score reports, a teacher of a student shall discuss the student's statewide assessment results with a parent at the next parent/teacher conference or, if the school does not hold parent/teacher conferences, send a notice to a parent of the student offering to meet with the parent to discuss the results. Provides that the department may include in a contract entered into or renewed after June 30, 2022, with a statewide assessment vendor a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results that meets certain requirements. Changes the department's review period for certain funds. Provides that the state board of education shall assign to a school or school corporation (including adult high schools) a "null" or "no letter grade" for the 2021-2022 school year. Repeals a provision concerning staffing of the board.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 139
 
SB2VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (RAATZ J) Provides that, in determining whether at least 50% of the instructional services that a student receives from a school corporation is virtual instruction for purposes of the 2021 fall count of ADM, the department of education (department) shall review the attendance of each student on each school day from the school corporation's first day of school until the school corporation's last day of school of the 2021 fall semester. Makes an exception regarding the school days the department reviews for students who transferred to or from a school corporation during the 2021 fall semester. Provides that, if a school corporation's tuition support amount is adjusted as a result of the application of this provision, the department shall, after December 31, 2021, settle any overpayment or underpayment of state tuition support to a school corporation resulting from the adjustment of tuition support on the schedule determined by the department. Requires each school corporation and charter school to annually report to the department the number of students who, during the students' expected graduation year: (1) were enrolled in the school corporation on the September ADM count day; (2) completed graduation requirements before the February ADM count day; and (3) were not enrolled in the school corporation on the February ADM count day. Requires, not later than September 1 of each year, the department to: (1) compile and prepare a report regarding the information reported by school corporations and charter schools; and (2) submit the report to the legislative council.
 Current Status: 3/18/2022 - Public Law 148
 
SB290VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (RAATZ J) Requires the department of education (department) to establish a career coaching pilot program to award grants to school corporations to establish career coaching programs for students of the school corporation. Beginning July 1, 2022, requires the department to annually submit a report to the general assembly in an electronic format that provides certain information concerning high school graduation waiver rates and graduation pathways and to post the report on the department's Internet web site. Provides that, if the total amount of state tuition support that a school corporation receives or will receive during a school year decreases under the student instructional day reduction of tuition support provision by an amount that is equal to or more than $250,000 from the amount the school corporation would otherwise be eligible to receive during the school year, the budget committee shall review the amount of and the reason for the decrease before the implementation of the decrease. Provides that, if an adjustment by the state board of education (state board) of the count of enrolled eligible pupils for one or more school corporations would increase or decrease the total distribution of state tuition support in an amount that is equal to or more than $250,000, the adjustment must be reviewed by the budget committee before the state board may adjust the enrollment count. Provides that, if the state board determines that extreme patterns of certain conditions on the count day or the subsequent adjustment date cause the enrollment to be unrepresentative of the enrollment of one or more school corporations by a count of eligible pupils that would increase or decrease the total distribution of state tuition support in an amount that is equal to or more than $250,000 as a result of changing the count day, the state board may designate another day for determining the enrollment of the one or more school corporations after review by the budget committee. Provides that the state board shall assign to a school or school corporation (including adult high schools) a "null" or "no letter grade" for the 2021-2022 school year.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 130
 
General School Policy
HB1001ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY; COVID-19 IMMUNIZATIONS. (LEHMAN M) Allows the secretary of family and social services (secretary) to issue a waiver of human services statutory provisions and administrative rules if the secretary determines that the waiver is necessary to claim certain enhanced federal matching funds available to the Medicaid program. Allows the secretary to issue an emergency declaration for purposes of participating in specified authorized federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments. Requires the secretary to prepare and submit any waivers or emergency declarations to the budget committee. Allows the state health commissioner of the state department of health or the commissioner's designated public health authority to issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least five years old (current law limits the age for the commissioner's issuance of standing orders, prescriptions, and protocols for individuals who are at least 11 years old). Defines "Indiana governmental entity" and specifies that an Indiana governmental entity (current law refers to a state or local unit) may not issue or require an immunization passport. Provides that an individual is not disqualified from unemployment benefits if the individual has complied with the requirements for seeking an exemption from an employer's COVID-19 immunization requirements and was discharged from employment for failing or refusing to receive an immunization against COVID-19. Provides that an employer may not impose a requirement that employees receive an immunization against COVID-19 unless the employer provides individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out of the requirement on the basis of medical reasons, religious reasons, or immunity from COVID-19 acquired from a prior infection with COVID-19.
 Current Status: 3/3/2022 - Public Law 1
 
HB1041PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL SPORTS. (DAVIS M) Requires, for purposes of interscholastic athletic events, school corporations, public schools, nonpublic schools, and certain athletic associations to expressly designate an athletic team or sport as one of the following: (1) A male, men's, or boys' team or sport. (2) A female, women's, or girls' team or sport. (3) A coeducational or mixed team or sport. Prohibits a male, based on the student's biological sex at birth in accordance with the student's genetics and reproductive biology, from participating on an athletic team or sport designated as being a female, women's, or girls' athletic team or sport. Requires school corporations, public schools, certain nonpublic schools, and certain athletic associations to: (1) establish and maintain grievance procedures; or (2) maintain grievance or protest procedures established before July 1, 2022; for a violation of these provisions. Establishes a civil action for a violation of these provisions. Provides that school corporations, public schools, certain nonpublic schools, and certain athletic associations are not subject to liability in a civil, administrative, disciplinary, or criminal action for acting in compliance with these provisions.
 Current Status: 5/27/2022 - Public Law 177
 
HB1093EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Amends the membership and duties of the early learning advisory committee. Makes changes to the definition of "school resource officer". Provides that, after June 30, 2023, if a school corporation or charter school enters into a contract for a school resource officer, certain school corporations or charter schools must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the law enforcement agency that employs or appointed the law enforcement officer who will perform the duties of a school resource officer. Provides that certain parties are prohibited from incentivizing the enrollment, reenrollment, or continued attendance of a student or prospective student by offering or giving an item that has monetary value. Requires the Indiana charter school board (board) to appoint an executive director to carry out the duties and daily operations of the board. Establishes the executive director's duties. Provides that the board shall establish certain processes. Establishes the Indiana charter school board fund and provides that money in the fund is appropriated continuously for purposes of the board. Provides that the department of education (department) may grant an accomplished practitioner's license under certain conditions. Establishes: (1) a definition for "virtual student instructional day"; and (2) requirements for virtual student instructional days. Provides that a public school may conduct not more than three virtual student instructional days that do not meet the established requirements. Provides that a public school that does not comply with these provisions may not count a student instructional day toward the 180 day student instructional day requirement. Allows the department to waive these requirements. Provides that the instructional days tuition support distribution formula take into account only certain schools and grades within a school corporation if fewer than all the schools fail to conduct the minimum number of student instructional days. Authorizes the department to study and, if recommended, use machine scoring. Provides that, after a school receives statewide assessment score reports, a teacher of a student shall discuss the student's statewide assessment results with a parent at the next parent/teacher conference or, if the school does not hold parent/teacher conferences, send a notice to a parent of the student offering to meet with the parent to discuss the results. Provides that the department may include in a contract entered into or renewed after June 30, 2022, with a statewide assessment vendor a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results that meets certain requirements. Changes the department's review period for certain funds. Provides that the state board of education shall assign to a school or school corporation (including adult high schools) a "null" or "no letter grade" for the 2021-2022 school year. Repeals a provision concerning staffing of the board.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 139
 
HB1130OPEN MEETINGS. (O'BRIEN T) Requires a governing body of a school corporation (school board) to allow each member of the public attending a meeting (attendee) the opportunity to provide oral public comment. Allows a school board to permit oral public comment at a public meeting that is conducted electronically during a state or local disaster emergency. Restricts the circumstances in which the governing body of a state or local public agency may hold a virtual meeting during a declared disaster emergency without any of the governing body members physically present.
 Current Status: 3/14/2022 - Public Law 116
 
HB1192QUALIFIED PROVIDERS AND MEDICAID SCHOOL SERVICES. (KARICKHOFF M) Defines "qualified provider" and "school based nurse" for purposes of providing Medicaid covered services in a school setting. Specifies conditions that must be met in order for the school based Medicaid services to be provided.
 Current Status: 3/7/2022 - Public Law 35
 
HB1223EDUCATION MATTERS. (DAVISSON J) Requires that the Indiana family friendly school designation program of the department of education (department) establish a procedure under which the department must conduct an assessment for the purpose of evaluating and improving parent involvement in the school if the parents of at least 10% of the students currently included in the average daily membership (ADM) at a particular school request an assessment. Requires that the department determine the manner in which requests may be submitted.
 Current Status: 3/10/2022 - Public Law 75
 
HB1285REDISTRICTING LOCAL ELECTION DISTRICTS. (TESHKA J) Provides that redistricting election districts for local and school board offices must occur at certain times. Removes a provision that limited the number of school board members that may reside in the same school board district for the Indianapolis public school board. Changes the entity that establishes the Indianapolis public school districts within the school city from the Indiana state board of education to the board of school commissioners. Removes the discretionary ability of political subdivisions to redistrict election districts at times other than those required by statute. Allows for additional time for redistricting after the 2020 decennial census. Consolidates certain local redistricting statutes in the same location. Changes population parameters to reflect the population count determined under the 2020 decennial census. Repeals obsolete statutes and makes other conforming changes.
 Current Status: 3/18/2022 - Public Law 169
 
HB1296FIREARMS MATTERS. (SMALTZ B) Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Specifies that certain persons who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana. Prohibits certain individuals from knowingly or intentionally carrying a handgun. Creates the crime of "unlawful carrying of a handgun" and specifies the penalties for committing this crime. Allows particular individuals who do not meet the requirements to receive a handgun license and are not otherwise prohibited to carry a handgun in limited places. Allows a resident of Indiana to obtain in certain circumstances a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Makes theft of a firearm a Level 5 felony. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments and repeals obsolete provisions.
 Current Status: 3/21/2022 - Public Law 175
 
HB1318CHILD CARE PROVIDED BY A SCHOOL CORPORATION. (SNOW C) Allows a child care program that: (1) is operated by a public or private school; and (2) provides day care on the school premises for children of students or employees of schools in the school corporation in which the public or private school is located; to be exempted from licensure as a child care facility. Provides that: (1) a preschool program that is operated by a public or private school; and (2) either or both: (A) a child care program that is located in the public or private secondary school and provides child care for children of employees or students of the public or private secondary school; and (B) a latch key program; are exempt from licensure as child care facilities if located in the same public or private school building. Provides that for purposes of determining the child to staff ratio and group size requirements for a child care program that: (1) enrolls children at least two and one-half years of age, but not more than six years of age; and (2) is validated as a Montessori program by the United Montessori Schools of Indiana; the division of family resources of the family and social services administration shall use the average age of the children in the group as of January 1 of the school year.
 Current Status: 3/10/2022 - Public Law 81
 
SB11DISPLAY OF HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. (KRUSE D) Provides that a document of educational and historical significance with acknowledged religious history (document) may be displayed on property owned by the state. Provides that a display of a document may be accompanied by a statement providing its context in American history. Provides that a document may only be displayed if the document is: (1) donated; (2) purchased with funds made available through voluntary contributions to the Indiana department of administration (department); or (3) reprinted from a document donated or purchased with contributions to the department. Requires, upon request, the department to provide certain documents to a state office, clerk of court, judge, or legislative body.
 Current Status: 3/9/2022 - Public Law 39
 
SB82FAFSA. (LEISING J) Requires each school corporation and charter high school to: (1) use the model FAFSA notice prepared by the commission for higher education (commission); and (2) provide the model notice to certain students. Allows a nonpublic school to provide the model notice to certain students. Requires the commission to develop an online FAFSA affirmation form and provide information to certain schools to determine which students have completed the FAFSA and the affirmation form. Amends the information required to be included in the model FAFSA notice.
 Current Status: 3/10/2022 - Public Law 51
 
SB83OPEN MEETINGS. (LEISING J) Requires a governing body of a school corporation or charter school to permit oral public comment on a topic before the governing body takes final action on the topic. Allows the governing body of a state or local public agency to conduct a meeting electronically without any governing body members physically present if a state or local disaster emergency is declared and the following circumstances exist: (1) Meeting in person would present an imminent risk to the health or safety of the governing body and public. (2) In the case of a governing body of a school corporation or charter school, in addition to the presence of the circumstances described in (1), at least one school within the jurisdiction of the school corporation or charter school is closed because of the disaster emergency. Adds a definition of "charter school" for purposes of the open door law that includes a virtual charter school.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 124
 
SB123DYSLEXIA SCREENING AND INTERVENTION. (FREEMAN A) Provides that the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions apply to: (1) qualified districts or qualified high schools; and (2) innovation network schools. Provides that the following may not waive or suspend the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions: (1) A coalition of continuous improvement school districts. (2) State accredited public schools. Adds, for consistency, the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions to the list of statutes that apply to charter schools. (Under current law, the dyslexia screening and intervention requirements already apply to charter schools because of the language in the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions.)
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 126
 
SR31TO HIGHLIGHT THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MODEL. (FORD J) A SENATE RESOLUTION to highlight the Community Schools model and encourage the Senate to consider the adoption of its practices across Indiana schools.
 Current Status: 2/28/2022 - Second reading adopted voice vote
 
Higher Education
HB1045529 COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. (HEINE D) Increases the maximum amount of the annual credit against adjusted gross income to which a taxpayer is entitled for a contribution to a college choice 529 education savings plan.
 Current Status: 3/8/2022 - Public Law 47
 
HB1190FREE SPEECH AT STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. (JORDAN J) Provides that a state educational institution may not: (1) designate an outdoor area on campus as an area where protected expressive activities are prohibited; (2) deny any benefit or privilege to, or discriminate against, a religious, political, or ideological student organization for its protected expressive activity; and (3) deny a benefit to or discriminate against a religious, political, or ideological student organization based on the protected expressive activity or a requirement of the student organization. Allows a state educational institution to enforce reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions that comply with certain requirements. Requires a state educational institution to create and publish protected expressive activity policies. Provides that a student or student organization may bring a cause of action for a violation of free speech rights. Allows a court to award injunctive relief, compensatory damages, reasonable court costs, and attorney's fees to an aggrieved student or student organization if the court finds that a violation occurred. Allows a court to award compensatory damages up to $50,000. Provides that a state educational institution is not immune from certain liability. Requires the commission for higher education to create a form for a state educational institution to submit information on an alleged violation of this chapter. Makes conforming changes.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 145
 
SB89HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS. (ROGERS L) Provides that the commission's annual schedule of awards must provide award amounts on the basis of a federal needs calculation. Amends language concerning teacher stipends to teacher scholarships. Provides that the total amount of scholarships or other financial aid received by an individual may not exceed certain total expenses.
 Current Status: 3/10/2022 - Public Law 52
 
SB366HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING. (BASSLER E) Requires the commission to create a higher educational operating funding outcomes based formula (funding formula) in each year prior to a budget session of the general assembly. Provides that the commission shall (not may) develop a long range plan for postsecondary education. Requires the commission to take: (1) reducing the financial burden on students and their families for postsecondary education; (2) the impact on economic development; and (3) the funding formula; into account in developing the long range plan. Requires the commission to present to the budget committee a summary of the legislative requests of all state educational institutions and the commission's recommendations concerning operations, capital projects, and financial aid. Requires the commission to biannually measure and make findings on the progress of each state educational institution in meeting the goals of the commission's long range plan as those goals pertain to the funding formula and include the findings in its presentation to the budget committee. Requires the commission to present the funding formula created by the commission to the budget committee. Requires the commission to biannually engage a third party examiner to audit the data submitted by each state educational institution for use within the funding formula and submit a copy of each audit report to the audit and financial reporting subcommittee of the legislative council. Requires the commission to present recommendations for the funding of state educational institution capital projects to the budget committee.
 Current Status: 3/10/2022 - Public Law 66
 
Political Action
HB1116ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES. (WESCO T) Changes the date by which a county must provide a voter verifiable paper audit trail for electronic voting systems from December 31, 2029, to July 1, 2024. Provides that, after July 1, 2022, a county must meet certain requirements when using any direct record electronic voting system that does not include a voter verifiable paper audit trail for an election. Provides that the security agreement that counties are required to enter into with the secretary of state must be funded by money received from the federal government or from money appropriated by the general assembly. Specifies requirements of a statement that must be printed on the envelope of an absentee ballot application. Provides that before an individual can access an absentee ballot application that is submitted in an electronic format using a module of the computerized list, the individual must provide either the individual's Indiana driver's license number or the last four digits of the individual's Social Security number. Requires that voting before an absentee voter board at the circuit court clerk's office or at a satellite office be referred to as "early voting" on all forms prescribed by the election division and in all communications with voters. Requires an electronic poll book to have the capacity to transmit certain information that a voter cast a provisional ballot. Requires certain information to be included in the computerized list concerning a voter's casting of a provisional ballot. Repeals language that requires the circuit court clerk to provide notice containing certain information to each voter who casts a provisional ballot. Changes the term "risk-limiting audit" to "post-election audit". Removes the word "pilot" from the chapter concerning post-election audits. Provides that the secretary of state shall determine the number of elections that are subject to a post-election audit.
 Current Status: 3/14/2022 - Public Law 115
 
SB328ELECTIONS. (FORD J) Requires the director, assistant director, or co-director of a board of elections and registration (rather than a member of the board) to attend a meeting called by the election division. Allows a member of a county election board to attend a meeting called by the election division. Provides reimbursement for the individuals who attend the meeting (current law only provides reimbursement for those required to attend). Makes changes to the county election officials instructional meeting, including duration, compensation, and expenses. Provides that record retention under seal does not prevent counties from conducting audits after an election as authorized by statute. Provides that a voter with print disabilities who chooses to vote by electronic mail must have the voter's absentee ballot application submitted to the circuit court clerk not later than 11:59 p.m. 12 days before election day. Provides that except for casting a replacement ballot under election law, a voter who knowingly or intentionally votes more than one ballot in the same election commits a Level 6 felony. Makes a technical correction.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 131
 
Retirement
HB1002VARIOUS TAX MATTERS. (BROWN T) Specifies that the amount of excess combined reserves that may be transferred to the pre-1996 account in 2022 may not exceed $2,500,000,000. Reduces the individual adjusted gross income tax rate from 3.23% in 2022 to 3.15% in 2023 and 2024. Phases down the individual adjusted gross income tax rate after 2024 depending on certain conditions being met. Allows a taxpayer to elect a special property tax valuation method for mini-mill equipment. (Current law allows the method to be used only for certain integrated steel mill and oil refinery/petrochemical equipment.) Repeals the utility receipts and utility services use taxes. Requires a utility that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for the approval of rates and charges to file a rate adjustment with the IURC that adjusts the utility's rates and charges to reflect the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Requires a utility that is subject to the utility receipts tax and not under the jurisdiction of the IURC to adjust the utility's rates and charges to reflect the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Requires each utility to provide notice to the utility's customers that the adjustment in rates and charges reflects the repeal of the utility receipts tax. Specifies taxpayer procedure for the repeal of the utility receipts and utility services use tax. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services may not enter into a final contract that would implement a risk based managed care program or capitated program for the specified Medicaid population before January 31, 2023. Makes conforming changes.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 138
 
School Safety
HB1093EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Amends the membership and duties of the early learning advisory committee. Makes changes to the definition of "school resource officer". Provides that, after June 30, 2023, if a school corporation or charter school enters into a contract for a school resource officer, certain school corporations or charter schools must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the law enforcement agency that employs or appointed the law enforcement officer who will perform the duties of a school resource officer. Provides that certain parties are prohibited from incentivizing the enrollment, reenrollment, or continued attendance of a student or prospective student by offering or giving an item that has monetary value. Requires the Indiana charter school board (board) to appoint an executive director to carry out the duties and daily operations of the board. Establishes the executive director's duties. Provides that the board shall establish certain processes. Establishes the Indiana charter school board fund and provides that money in the fund is appropriated continuously for purposes of the board. Provides that the department of education (department) may grant an accomplished practitioner's license under certain conditions. Establishes: (1) a definition for "virtual student instructional day"; and (2) requirements for virtual student instructional days. Provides that a public school may conduct not more than three virtual student instructional days that do not meet the established requirements. Provides that a public school that does not comply with these provisions may not count a student instructional day toward the 180 day student instructional day requirement. Allows the department to waive these requirements. Provides that the instructional days tuition support distribution formula take into account only certain schools and grades within a school corporation if fewer than all the schools fail to conduct the minimum number of student instructional days. Authorizes the department to study and, if recommended, use machine scoring. Provides that, after a school receives statewide assessment score reports, a teacher of a student shall discuss the student's statewide assessment results with a parent at the next parent/teacher conference or, if the school does not hold parent/teacher conferences, send a notice to a parent of the student offering to meet with the parent to discuss the results. Provides that the department may include in a contract entered into or renewed after June 30, 2022, with a statewide assessment vendor a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results that meets certain requirements. Changes the department's review period for certain funds. Provides that the state board of education shall assign to a school or school corporation (including adult high schools) a "null" or "no letter grade" for the 2021-2022 school year. Repeals a provision concerning staffing of the board.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 139
 
Support Staff
HB1251VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires the department of education (department) to apply to the United States Department of Education for assessment flexibility. Requires the department to: (1) prepare a report that includes information and recommendations regarding establishing and implementing a parent-teacher compact program; and (2) submit the report to the legislative council not later than November 1, 2022. Provides that the state board of education (state board) shall, in consultation with postsecondary educational institutions and various businesses and industries, identify what skills or traits students need to be successful upon completion of high school. Requires the department to conduct a research study regarding academic standards. Requires the department to establish an online adjunct teacher portal. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may issue an adjunct teacher permit to an individual who meets certain requirements. Establishes requirements for adjunct teacher employment agreements. Provides that the employment agreements are not subject to certain requirements regarding teacher salaries and school corporation local compensation plans. Provides that: (1) an adjunct teacher is not a school employee for purposes of collective bargaining; and (2) an employment agreement with an adjunct teacher is not subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Provides that the school employer shall discuss the use of adjunct teachers with the exclusive representative of certificated employees. Requires the governing body of a school corporation to announce any vacant adjunct teacher positions at meetings of the governing body. Amends the definition of "primary use of the building" for certain applicable high schools for purposes of occupancy classification requirements. Amends the definition of "appropriate vehicle". Provides that a special purpose bus or an appropriate vehicle may be used to transport students under certain circumstances. Provides that the state board may adopt emergency rules relating to school accreditation. Provides that the driver of a special purpose bus or an appropriate vehicle must pass an expanded criminal history check and an expanded child protection index check. Makes changes to visual acuity requirements for a bus driver. Establishes the Indiana student enrichment grant program (program). Provides that an enrichment student is eligible to establish an Indiana enrichment scholarship account. Provides that an enrichment student may receive $1,000 to be used for certain qualified expenses. Provides that the department shall administer the program. Provides that the program expires July 1, 2025.
 Current Status: 3/18/2022 - Public Law 168
 
SR41URGING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ASSIGN THE TOPIC OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS. (POL R) A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the legislative council to assign to the appropriate study committee issues related to educational support professionals.
 Current Status: 3/1/2022 - Second reading adopted voice vote
 
Teaching and Licensing
HB1093EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Amends the membership and duties of the early learning advisory committee. Makes changes to the definition of "school resource officer". Provides that, after June 30, 2023, if a school corporation or charter school enters into a contract for a school resource officer, certain school corporations or charter schools must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the law enforcement agency that employs or appointed the law enforcement officer who will perform the duties of a school resource officer. Provides that certain parties are prohibited from incentivizing the enrollment, reenrollment, or continued attendance of a student or prospective student by offering or giving an item that has monetary value. Requires the Indiana charter school board (board) to appoint an executive director to carry out the duties and daily operations of the board. Establishes the executive director's duties. Provides that the board shall establish certain processes. Establishes the Indiana charter school board fund and provides that money in the fund is appropriated continuously for purposes of the board. Provides that the department of education (department) may grant an accomplished practitioner's license under certain conditions. Establishes: (1) a definition for "virtual student instructional day"; and (2) requirements for virtual student instructional days. Provides that a public school may conduct not more than three virtual student instructional days that do not meet the established requirements. Provides that a public school that does not comply with these provisions may not count a student instructional day toward the 180 day student instructional day requirement. Allows the department to waive these requirements. Provides that the instructional days tuition support distribution formula take into account only certain schools and grades within a school corporation if fewer than all the schools fail to conduct the minimum number of student instructional days. Authorizes the department to study and, if recommended, use machine scoring. Provides that, after a school receives statewide assessment score reports, a teacher of a student shall discuss the student's statewide assessment results with a parent at the next parent/teacher conference or, if the school does not hold parent/teacher conferences, send a notice to a parent of the student offering to meet with the parent to discuss the results. Provides that the department may include in a contract entered into or renewed after June 30, 2022, with a statewide assessment vendor a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results that meets certain requirements. Changes the department's review period for certain funds. Provides that the state board of education shall assign to a school or school corporation (including adult high schools) a "null" or "no letter grade" for the 2021-2022 school year. Repeals a provision concerning staffing of the board.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 139
 
HB1251VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires the department of education (department) to apply to the United States Department of Education for assessment flexibility. Requires the department to: (1) prepare a report that includes information and recommendations regarding establishing and implementing a parent-teacher compact program; and (2) submit the report to the legislative council not later than November 1, 2022. Provides that the state board of education (state board) shall, in consultation with postsecondary educational institutions and various businesses and industries, identify what skills or traits students need to be successful upon completion of high school. Requires the department to conduct a research study regarding academic standards. Requires the department to establish an online adjunct teacher portal. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may issue an adjunct teacher permit to an individual who meets certain requirements. Establishes requirements for adjunct teacher employment agreements. Provides that the employment agreements are not subject to certain requirements regarding teacher salaries and school corporation local compensation plans. Provides that: (1) an adjunct teacher is not a school employee for purposes of collective bargaining; and (2) an employment agreement with an adjunct teacher is not subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Provides that the school employer shall discuss the use of adjunct teachers with the exclusive representative of certificated employees. Requires the governing body of a school corporation to announce any vacant adjunct teacher positions at meetings of the governing body. Amends the definition of "primary use of the building" for certain applicable high schools for purposes of occupancy classification requirements. Amends the definition of "appropriate vehicle". Provides that a special purpose bus or an appropriate vehicle may be used to transport students under certain circumstances. Provides that the state board may adopt emergency rules relating to school accreditation. Provides that the driver of a special purpose bus or an appropriate vehicle must pass an expanded criminal history check and an expanded child protection index check. Makes changes to visual acuity requirements for a bus driver. Establishes the Indiana student enrichment grant program (program). Provides that an enrichment student is eligible to establish an Indiana enrichment scholarship account. Provides that an enrichment student may receive $1,000 to be used for certain qualified expenses. Provides that the department shall administer the program. Provides that the program expires July 1, 2025.
 Current Status: 3/18/2022 - Public Law 168
 
SB91TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS. (ROGERS L) Allows a teacher preparation program to report the program's admission practices, in accordance with the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) standards, for teacher preparation programs accredited by the AAQEP. Requires the department of education (department) to approve at least two accreditors that: (1) accredit teacher preparation programs; and (2) are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; to accredit teacher preparation programs for use in Indiana. Requires the department to annually report to the legislative council the percentage of teachers who complete a particular teacher preparation program who are teaching in Indiana: (1) five years; and (2) ten years; after completion of the particular teacher preparation program. Removes a requirement that each charter school and school corporation annually provide to the department: (1) the name of the teacher preparation program that recommended the initial license for each teacher employed by the school; and (2) the annual retention rate for teachers employed by the school.
 Current Status: 3/8/2022 - Public Law 41
 
SB115SCHOOL EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT. (FREEMAN A) Provides that a policy adopted by a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school with at least one employee addressing expanded criminal history checks or expanded child protection index checks (background checks) must prohibit the hiring of, continuing the employment of, contracting with, or continuing to contract with a person who has been convicted of an offense requiring license revocation, unless the conviction has been reversed, vacated, or set aside on appeal. (Current law provides that such a policy addressing background checks must prohibit the hiring of a person who has been convicted of an offense requiring license revocation, unless the conviction has been reversed, vacated, or set aside on appeal.) Provides that: (1) a school corporation; (2) a charter school; or (3) an entity: (A) with which a school corporation contracts for services; and (B) that has employees who are likely to have direct, ongoing contact with children within the scope of the employees' employment; shall consider whether information obtained from the background checks concerning an individual's conviction for certain offenses constitutes grounds to not employ, not contract with, or to terminate the employment of or contract with the individual. Provides that, in the event that an entity obtains information that an individual employed by the entity who works at a particular school corporation or charter school has been convicted of certain offenses, the entity shall immediately notify the school corporation or charter school of the employee's conviction. Makes changes to the list of offenses for which the department of education shall permanently revoke a teacher's license. Makes conforming changes.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 125
 
SB123DYSLEXIA SCREENING AND INTERVENTION. (FREEMAN A) Provides that the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions apply to: (1) qualified districts or qualified high schools; and (2) innovation network schools. Provides that the following may not waive or suspend the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions: (1) A coalition of continuous improvement school districts. (2) State accredited public schools. Adds, for consistency, the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions to the list of statutes that apply to charter schools. (Under current law, the dyslexia screening and intervention requirements already apply to charter schools because of the language in the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions.)
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 126
 
SB356EDUCATION MATTERS. (ROGERS L) Makes changes to the requirements necessary to obtain an initial practitioner license for an individual who completes an alternative teacher certification program and changes regarding teaching special education under the license. Provides that, for school years beginning after June 30, 2022, a school corporation may provide a supplemental payment to a teacher in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan. (Current law allows a school corporation to provide supplemental payment to a teacher in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan if certain circumstances apply.)
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 134
 
Testing
HB1093EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Amends the membership and duties of the early learning advisory committee. Makes changes to the definition of "school resource officer". Provides that, after June 30, 2023, if a school corporation or charter school enters into a contract for a school resource officer, certain school corporations or charter schools must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the law enforcement agency that employs or appointed the law enforcement officer who will perform the duties of a school resource officer. Provides that certain parties are prohibited from incentivizing the enrollment, reenrollment, or continued attendance of a student or prospective student by offering or giving an item that has monetary value. Requires the Indiana charter school board (board) to appoint an executive director to carry out the duties and daily operations of the board. Establishes the executive director's duties. Provides that the board shall establish certain processes. Establishes the Indiana charter school board fund and provides that money in the fund is appropriated continuously for purposes of the board. Provides that the department of education (department) may grant an accomplished practitioner's license under certain conditions. Establishes: (1) a definition for "virtual student instructional day"; and (2) requirements for virtual student instructional days. Provides that a public school may conduct not more than three virtual student instructional days that do not meet the established requirements. Provides that a public school that does not comply with these provisions may not count a student instructional day toward the 180 day student instructional day requirement. Allows the department to waive these requirements. Provides that the instructional days tuition support distribution formula take into account only certain schools and grades within a school corporation if fewer than all the schools fail to conduct the minimum number of student instructional days. Authorizes the department to study and, if recommended, use machine scoring. Provides that, after a school receives statewide assessment score reports, a teacher of a student shall discuss the student's statewide assessment results with a parent at the next parent/teacher conference or, if the school does not hold parent/teacher conferences, send a notice to a parent of the student offering to meet with the parent to discuss the results. Provides that the department may include in a contract entered into or renewed after June 30, 2022, with a statewide assessment vendor a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results that meets certain requirements. Changes the department's review period for certain funds. Provides that the state board of education shall assign to a school or school corporation (including adult high schools) a "null" or "no letter grade" for the 2021-2022 school year. Repeals a provision concerning staffing of the board.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 139
 
HB1251VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires the department of education (department) to apply to the United States Department of Education for assessment flexibility. Requires the department to: (1) prepare a report that includes information and recommendations regarding establishing and implementing a parent-teacher compact program; and (2) submit the report to the legislative council not later than November 1, 2022. Provides that the state board of education (state board) shall, in consultation with postsecondary educational institutions and various businesses and industries, identify what skills or traits students need to be successful upon completion of high school. Requires the department to conduct a research study regarding academic standards. Requires the department to establish an online adjunct teacher portal. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may issue an adjunct teacher permit to an individual who meets certain requirements. Establishes requirements for adjunct teacher employment agreements. Provides that the employment agreements are not subject to certain requirements regarding teacher salaries and school corporation local compensation plans. Provides that: (1) an adjunct teacher is not a school employee for purposes of collective bargaining; and (2) an employment agreement with an adjunct teacher is not subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Provides that the school employer shall discuss the use of adjunct teachers with the exclusive representative of certificated employees. Requires the governing body of a school corporation to announce any vacant adjunct teacher positions at meetings of the governing body. Amends the definition of "primary use of the building" for certain applicable high schools for purposes of occupancy classification requirements. Amends the definition of "appropriate vehicle". Provides that a special purpose bus or an appropriate vehicle may be used to transport students under certain circumstances. Provides that the state board may adopt emergency rules relating to school accreditation. Provides that the driver of a special purpose bus or an appropriate vehicle must pass an expanded criminal history check and an expanded child protection index check. Makes changes to visual acuity requirements for a bus driver. Establishes the Indiana student enrichment grant program (program). Provides that an enrichment student is eligible to establish an Indiana enrichment scholarship account. Provides that an enrichment student may receive $1,000 to be used for certain qualified expenses. Provides that the department shall administer the program. Provides that the program expires July 1, 2025.
 Current Status: 3/18/2022 - Public Law 168
 
SB290VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (RAATZ J) Requires the department of education (department) to establish a career coaching pilot program to award grants to school corporations to establish career coaching programs for students of the school corporation. Beginning July 1, 2022, requires the department to annually submit a report to the general assembly in an electronic format that provides certain information concerning high school graduation waiver rates and graduation pathways and to post the report on the department's Internet web site. Provides that, if the total amount of state tuition support that a school corporation receives or will receive during a school year decreases under the student instructional day reduction of tuition support provision by an amount that is equal to or more than $250,000 from the amount the school corporation would otherwise be eligible to receive during the school year, the budget committee shall review the amount of and the reason for the decrease before the implementation of the decrease. Provides that, if an adjustment by the state board of education (state board) of the count of enrolled eligible pupils for one or more school corporations would increase or decrease the total distribution of state tuition support in an amount that is equal to or more than $250,000, the adjustment must be reviewed by the budget committee before the state board may adjust the enrollment count. Provides that, if the state board determines that extreme patterns of certain conditions on the count day or the subsequent adjustment date cause the enrollment to be unrepresentative of the enrollment of one or more school corporations by a count of eligible pupils that would increase or decrease the total distribution of state tuition support in an amount that is equal to or more than $250,000 as a result of changing the count day, the state board may designate another day for determining the enrollment of the one or more school corporations after review by the budget committee. Provides that the state board shall assign to a school or school corporation (including adult high schools) a "null" or "no letter grade" for the 2021-2022 school year.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 130
 
Vouchers & ESAs
SB331EDUCATION MATTERS. (BUCHANAN B) Provides that, for purposes of determining the funding floor for teachers of a school corporation, the amount a school corporation expends for full-time teacher salaries shall include the amount the school corporation expends for participating in a special education cooperative or a career and technical education cooperative that is directly attributable to the salaries of full-time teachers employed by the cooperative, as determined by the department of education (department). Requires the department to annually report to the legislative council and the state budget committee on certain matters regarding full-time teacher salaries and benefits and the issuance of waivers of the requirement that a school corporation expend a specified percentage of tuition support for full-time teacher salaries. Authorizes the treasurer of state (treasurer) to deduct up to 10% of funds made available for the Indiana education scholarship account program (program) to cover costs of administering the program in the first year and up to 5% of funds made available in each year thereafter. Establishes the Indiana education scholarship account administration fund (fund) to support the administration of the program. Requires any amounts deducted by the treasurer for administration costs to be deposited in the fund. Removes a requirement for certain participating entities in the program to post a surety bond. Makes technical corrections.
 Current Status: 3/15/2022 - Public Law 132
 
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