Legislative Report: IAACE
Prepared by: Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Report created on April 18, 2024
 
HB1001STATE BUDGET. (THOMPSON J) 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. Requires a researcher to execute a data sharing agreement that is approved by the management performance hub to receive access to confidential records. Provides that the auditor of state is also known as the state comptroller. Provides that, after June 30, 2023, the auditor of state shall use the title "state comptroller" in conducting state business, in all contracts, on business cards, on stationery, and with other means of communication as necessary. Establishes the attorney general contingency fee fund. Establishes the: (1) state opioid settlement fund; and (2) local opioid settlement fund; into which funds received from opioid litigation settlements must be deposited. Provides that the office of the inspector general shall provide informal advisory opinions and that the opinions are confidential. Allows the budget committee to submit the budget report and budget bill or bills to the governor on or before the second Monday of January, or the third Monday of January in the year in which a gubernatorial election is held (instead of before that date). Requires the state personnel department to require a contractor, when contracting for health care coverage for state employees, to use value based coverage. Repeals a provision that makes a state general fund appropriation to the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system if the money available in the special death benefits fund is insufficient to pay death benefit claims. Allows the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to certify an applicable tax credit that exceeds the maximum allowable amount after review by the budget committee. Provides that the regional economic acceleration and development initiative program expires June 30, 2026. Specifies that the county or municipality that did not approve the relocation of an outdoor advertising sign is responsible for compensation of the taking of the outdoor advertising sign. Provides that an owner may relocate an outdoor advertising sign that is subject to a pending eminent domain action. Allows an individual to claim an increased exemption amount for a dependent child in the first year in which the exemption amount may be claimed for the child. Reduces the individual income tax rate to 2.9% by 2027 and eliminates all trigger provisions in current law. Establishes the regional public safety training fund. Repeals provisions relating to the establishment of the: (1) Indiana homeland security foundation; (2) Indiana homeland security fund; and (3) fire training infrastructure fund. Allows certain members of the public employees' retirement fund or Indiana state teachers' retirement fund to file an election to begin receiving retirement benefits while holding a position. Changes the state police pre-1987 benefit and supplemental pension benefit calculation from being based on the sixth year of service to the fourth year of service. Repeals the public mass transportation fund. Repeals the financial responsibility compliance verification fund. Changes the number of years of service on which the salary matrix for state police employees is based to 15 years (instead of 20 years). Requires the department of correction to deposit the amount appropriated for the county misdemeanant fund by a county's multiplier. Requires the office of Medicaid policy and planning (office) to: (1) develop a schedule for the review of Medicaid reimbursement rates; and (2) provide a copy of the schedule to the budget committee; not later than November 1, 2023. Creates the residential water testing fund to test the water supply of an individual property owner of an eligible township. Requires the director of the state personnel department to submit a revision or adjustment to a pay plan developed for state employees to the state budget committee for review before the revision may take effect. Provides that the general assembly shall convene: (1) on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in June for the first regular technical session; and (2) on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in May for the second regular technical session. Provides that a technical session is not required to convene if the president pro tempore and the speaker jointly issue an order that convening is not necessary. Requires the general assembly to convene no later than the fourth Monday in January after organization day. Repeals provisions relating to emergency sessions and makes conforming amendments. Recouples the state earned income tax credit qualifications with the federal earned income tax credit qualifications under the Internal Revenue Code as in effect January 1, 2023. Requires a contractor that provides tangible personal property incorporated into real property in a project located in an innovation development district to maintain records of all state gross retail and use tax paid or collected during a state fiscal year. Adds state adjusted gross income taxes paid by an individual who is not an employee with respect to income received for services performed in an innovation development district for purposes of calculating income tax incremental amounts. Establishes the commission on improving the status of children fund to support the staffing and operations of the commission. Provides that a part of state user fees shall be deposited in the Indiana secured school fund. Repeals the distribution schedule for appropriations made for certain child development programs. Requires the department of local government finance to prepare an annual report and abstract concerning property tax data (instead of the auditor of state). Deletes reimbursement rate parameters for reimbursement of managed care organizations under the healthy Indiana plan. Extends the sunset of the collection of hospital assessment fees and health facility quality assessment fees from June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2025. Increases the total number of adult learner students at the Excel Centers for Adult Learners and Christel House DORS centers for whom the school may receive state funding. Establishes the Indiana education scholarship account donation fund to accept donations for administration of the Indiana education scholarship account program. Repeals the special education fund. Establishes a state tax credit for a taxpayer that makes certain qualified child care expenditures in providing child care to the taxpayer's employees. Extends provisions for the gasoline tax and the special fuel tax rates. Amends a statute concerning powers and duties of a regional water, sewage, or solid waste district established under prior law. Extends the sunset for the invasive species council and fund from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2031. Prohibits school corporations and charter schools from charging a fee for curricular materials to students. Provides that the parent of a student or an emancipated minor who attends an accredited nonpublic school and who meets financial eligibility requirements may request reimbursement of fees charged for curricular materials. Establishes the curricular materials fund. Requires a county auditor to distribute a portion of revenue received from an operations fund levy imposed by a school corporation located in certain counties to certain charter schools (excludes school corporations that are designated as a dist
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 201
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1002EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. (GOODRICH C) Establishes the: (1) career scholarship account program (CSA program); (2) career scholarship account program fund; (3) career scholarship account administration fund; (4) career scholarship account donation fund; (5) connecting students with careers fund; (6) teacher higher education and industry collaboration grant program and fund; (7) career coaching grant fund; and (8) intermediary capacity building fund. Provides that the department of education (department), in consultation with the commission for higher education (commission), shall designate and approve a course sequence, career course, modern youth apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or program of study for grants under the CSA program. Provides for revocation of the approval if the sequence, course, modern youth apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or program of study fails to achieve an adequate outcome, as determined by the department, in consultation with the commission. Establishes eligibility requirements to participate in the CSA program. Provides that the commission may approve participating entities that meet certain requirements to participate in the CSA program. Provides that grant amounts that career scholarship students receive are not included in adjusted gross income for tax purposes. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2024, certain school corporations shall include instruction for all students regarding career awareness. Provides that the state board of education (state board), in consultation with the commission, shall create certain standards for a career awareness course. Requires the department to collect and aggregate certain data. Requires the department to publish on the department's website a list of skill competencies identified by certain approved participating entities. Requires the state board, in consultation with the department, to establish new high school diploma requirements. Removes a provision that provides that a student who satisfies an Indiana diploma with a Core 40 with academic honors designation through a certain alternative course shall not count toward a school's honor designation award. Requires the commission to create a list of approved intermediaries, employers, and labor organizations. Requires certain high school and college students to meet with an approved postsecondary educational institution, an intermediary, an employer, or a labor organization. Requires certain committed offenders to meet with an intermediary, employer, or labor organization. Provides that during each school year, a public high school must hold at least one career fair during regular school hours. Amends requirements for certification of qualified education programs by INvestED Indiana. Repeals certain provisions in law regarding a comprehensive navigation and coaching system and career coaching grant fund and requires the commission to: (1) develop and implement a comprehensive career navigation and coaching system for Indiana; and (2) award grants from the career coaching grant fund to certain eligible entities to establish or implement comprehensive career navigation and coaching systems. Provides that the department shall approve career coaching providers for the purpose of eligibility for a career coaching grant. Provides that the commission shall receive, distribute, and account for all funds received for career and technical education under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act. Requires the department to establish and maintain an online platform that allows teachers to access and share information regarding connecting daily classroom lessons with innovations in workplace practices and postsecondary education research. Repeals provisions relating to the industry collaboration certification program. Repeals and replaces a definition of "participating entity" with "ESA participating entity".
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 202
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1160WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROGRAMS. (CLERE E) Provides that the commission for higher education may establish an education and career support services pilot program to provide career and support services to adult students of state educational institutions. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services (FSSA), in consultation with Erskine Green Training Institute and the department of workforce development, may establish a manufacturing workforce training pilot program to provide training and other services to: (1) individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities; and (2) incumbent workers who are identified to fill higher paying jobs as a result of increased workforce participation by individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Specifies requirements and permitted actions for each pilot program. Requires FSSA to amend administrative rules.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 216
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1177FIREARMS TRAINING FOR TEACHERS. (LUCAS J) Authorizes funds from the: (1) Indiana secured school fund; and (2) school corporation and charter school safety advance program; to be used for the purpose of providing specialized firearms instruction to certain teachers, school staff, and school employees, and for providing counseling services to students, teachers, school staff, and school employees in the event of a school shooting. Creates a specialized firearms safety, education, and training curriculum (curriculum) for teachers, school staff, and school employees. Specifies curriculum requirements. Requires a charter school, accredited nonpublic school, or school corporation to ensure that a teacher, school staff member, or school employee who receives training funded by a grant from the Indiana secured school fund complies with certain requirements. Provides that the identity of any person who: (1) enrolls in; (2) participates in; or (3) completes; the curriculum is confidential. Requires the department of education, in collaboration with the state police department, to identify a set of best practices and develop a set of educational materials concerning the safe possession and storage of a firearm in a home with a child. Provides that the department of education shall provide the best practices and educational materials to certain schools for annual distribution to parents of students. Provides that a public school or a state accredited nonpublic school may not conduct a training or drill for an employee of the school that includes, as any part of the training or drill, the expelling of any type of projectile at the employee unless: (1) the school informs the employee of the use of projectiles in the training or drill; and (2) the employee provides written consent. Provides that certain schools may not conduct or approve a training or drill for a student of the school that includes, as any part of the training or drill, the expelling of any type of projectile at a student. Provides that the prohibition on the possession of a firearm in or on school property or on a school bus does not apply to certain qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers. Makes conforming and technical amendments.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 218
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1228CHILD SEDUCTION. (BAUER M) Provides that "solicit", for purposes of the crime of child solicitation, includes luring and enticing. Defines "coach", "workplace supervisor", and "youth sports organization", and provides that the coach of a youth sports organization or a workplace supervisor commits child seduction if the person engages in sexual activity with a child less than 18 years of age and certain other conditions are met. Reduces the age difference from five years to four years for child seduction committed by a law enforcement officer. Makes conforming amendments.
 Current Status:   5/1/2023 - Public Law 133
 Recent Status:   5/1/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/26/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1382ROBOTICS PROGRAMS. (GOODRICH C) Establishes the robotics competition program to provide grants to eligible robotics competition teams (eligible teams) in order to expand opportunities to increase interest and improve skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through participation in competitive robotics programs. Provides a procedure for eligible teams to apply to the department of education (department) to receive a grant. Establishes the robotics competition program fund. Provides that the department shall establish guidelines to: (1) award grants to eligible teams for allowable expenses; and (2) accommodate the participation of students with disabilities on eligible teams or in robotics competitions.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 231
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1447EDUCATION MATTERS. (SCHAIBLEY D) Provides that, if a school corporation or qualified school uses a third party vendor in providing certain personal analyses, evaluations, or surveys, the third party vendor and the school corporation or qualified school may not record, collect, or maintain the responses to or results of the analysis, evaluation, or survey in a manner that would identify the responses or results of an individual student. Provides that, if a school corporation or qualified school uses a third party vendor in providing the personal analysis, evaluation, or survey, the school corporation or qualified school must provide parents or students, as applicable, two requests for written consent before administering the analysis, evaluation, or survey. Provides that the school corporation or qualified school may administer the personal analysis, evaluation, or survey if a parent or student, as applicable, does not decline the analysis, evaluation, or survey. Requires each school corporation or qualified school to: (1) post a copy of a personal analysis, evaluation, or survey on the school corporation's or qualified school's website; and (2) send with each notice an explanation of the reasons that the school corporation or qualified school is administering the personal analysis, evaluation, or survey. Requires each qualified school to establish and maintain a grievance procedure for complaints regarding a violation of this provision. Provides that, if a state agency, school corporation, or qualified school or an employee of a state agency, school corporation, or qualified school requires, makes part of a course, awards a grade or course credit, or otherwise incentivizes a student to engage in: (1) political activism; (2) lobbying; or (3) efforts to persuade members of the legislative or executive branch at the federal, state, or local level; the state agency, school corporation, or qualified school or the employee of the state agency, school corporation, or qualified school shall not require the student to adopt, affirm, affiliate, or take any action that would result in favoring any particular position on the issue or issues involved without offering an alternative option for the student to complete the assignment or receive extra credit or other incentivization that allows for the favoring of an alternative position. After June 30, 2023, requires certain contracts between a school corporation or a qualified school and a third party vendor concerning a personal analysis, survey, or evaluation to contain a breach of contract provision. Requires schools to adopt policies and procedures concerning material alleged to be obscene or harmful to minors. Removes schools from the list of entities eligible for a specified defense to such criminal prosecutions.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 234
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1449TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM. (HARRIS JR. E) Provides that the commission for higher education shall do the following: (1) In cooperation with the department of education, identify students who meet the requirements to participate in the twenty-first century scholars program (program). (2) Notify the student and the custodial parent or guardian of the student, if the student is an unemancipated minor, that: (A) the student is eligible to participate in the program; (B) the student must agree to the conditions required to participate in the program; and (C) the student has the right to opt out of the program at any time.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 235
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1483DISCIPLINE RULES REGARDING BULLYING. (SMITH V) Provides that discipline rules adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must include timetables for reporting bullying incidents to parents of both the targeted student and the alleged perpetrator in an expedited manner that is not later than five business days after the incident is reported. (Current law provides that discipline rules adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must include timetables for reporting bullying incidents to parents of both the targeted student and the bully in an expedited manner.) Provides that discipline rules adopted by the governing body of a school corporation: (1) must include provisions that require a school to prioritize the safety of the victim; (2) may include provisions to determine: (A) the severity of an incident of bullying; and (B) whether an incident of bullying may warrant the transfer of the victim or the alleged perpetrator to another school in the school corporation; and (3) must include policies to allow a parent of a child in the school corporation to review any materials used in any bullying prevention or suicide prevention program. Requires public schools to document acts of bullying and abusive behaviors against a victim and committed by a verified perpetrator.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 238
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1492SCHOOL SAFETY. (MCNAMARA W) Makes changes to the permissible uses of the Indiana secured school fund. Moves provisions in the Indiana Code pertaining to the appointment of a school safety specialist, school safety specialist programs, and school safety plans. Makes changes to the Indiana secured school fund application procedures. Makes changes to the Indiana secured school fund reporting requirements. Makes various changes to provisions regulating the appointment of a school safety specialist, school safety specialist program, and school safety plans. Requires before December 31, 2023, that each county shall establish a county school safety commission. (Current law provides that a county may establish a county school safety commission.) Requires each school corporation and charter school to establish a safe school committee. Requires the division of school building physical security and safety of the department of education to establish and maintain guidelines, in consultation with the department of homeland security and institute for criminal justice, for developing and maintaining school safety plans and assist the secured school safety board in conducting the review and submitting certain reports. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation or charter school organizer shall: (1) approve or disapprove all school safety specialists chosen by the superintendent of the school corporation or leadership of the charter school; and (2) review the school safety plan. Makes changes to the duties of a school resource officer. Makes changes to information reported by a school corporation or charter school pertaining to a school resource officer that is reported to the department of homeland security. Requires the secured schools safety board to include certain aggregate information relating to the number of school resource officers employed by schools. Provides that an organizer of a charter school shall require each charter school under the authority of the organizer to conduct annual emergency preparedness drills. Makes changes to distribution amounts from the state user fee fund. Makes conforming amendments. Repeals provisions establishing the Indiana safe schools fund, school safe haven programs, and existing provisions relating to the establishment of school safety specialists, county school safety commissions, school safety specialist training and safe school programs. Defines various terms. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school may receive a matching grant from the Indiana secured school fund to purchase student safety management technology. Makes a technical correction.
 Current Status:   5/1/2023 - Public Law 150
 Recent Status:   5/1/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/26/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1511HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND COST EXEMPTIONS. (SPEEDY M) Provides that money in the National Guard tuition supplement program fund and the National Guard scholarship extension fund may not be expended, removed, or transferred from the respective fund except to be used for the purposes of the respective fund. Provides that an eligible applicant for: (1) a scholarship under the National Guard tuition supplement program; or (2) an educational cost exemption or award; may apply for a scholarship, exemption, or award to attend a state educational institution or an approved postsecondary educational institution under certain conditions.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 240
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1528NEXT GENERATION HOOSIER EDUCATORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. (HEINE D) Provides that an individual enrolled in a transition to teaching program may apply for a one time scholarship under the next generation Hoosier educators scholarship program. Establishes requirements to qualify for the one time scholarship. Provides that the maximum amount of a scholarship is $10,000. Provides that the total annual amount of scholarships awarded from the next generation Hoosier educators scholarship fund to individuals enrolled in a transition to teaching program may not exceed $1,000,000. Requires that an awarded scholarship must be repaid under certain conditions.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 242
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1558SCIENCE OF READING. (TESHKA J) Defines "science of reading". Requires the state board of education (state board) in collaboration with the department of education (department) to prepare and submit a report regarding the alignment of science of reading concepts in IREAD. Requires a school corporation and charter school to report certain information regarding reading and writing curricula, remedial programs, and administrative contact information on the school corporation's or charter school's website. Provides that, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, a superintendent, advisory committee, or governing body or the equivalent for a charter school: (1) shall adopt curriculum or supplemental materials for reading that are aligned with the science of reading and to the student's reading proficiency; and (2) may not adopt curriculum or supplemental materials for reading that are based on the three-cueing model. Requires the department to develop guidelines for science of reading integration into teacher preparation programs. Makes changes to the education law concerning the science of reading and teacher preparation and licensing requirements. Requires a school corporation to differentiate the amount of salary increases or increments for teachers who possess a required literacy endorsement. Removes a requirement that a discussion regarding teacher supplemental payment be held. Requires the state board to establish and require literacy endorsements for certain individuals first licensed after June 30, 2025. Provides that, not later than July 1, 2024, the state board shall adopt rules to establish early childhood content area licenses and required endorsements. Requires the department to publish an advisory list of science of reading curricula on the department's website. Provides that the state board and the department: (1) shall implement academic standards for reading that are aligned with the science of reading and developmentally appropriate based on student need; and (2) may not implement an academic standard for reading based on the three-cueing model.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 243
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1590VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Makes various changes to the education law concerning the following: (1) The science of reading and licensing requirements. (2) The grant for benchmark, formative, interim, or similar assessments with regards to certain assessments, including universal screeners that screen for dyslexia. (3) Eligibility requirements for the next level computer science program. (4) Reading deficiency remediation plan requirements. (5) Payments and funding for excess costs of educating certain students with disabilities. (6) The use of funds from the Senator David C. Ford educational technology fund. (7) Requirements for public schools regarding adopting or replacing data technology systems. (8) The evaluation of curricular materials by the department of education (department). Requires the department to evaluate, approve, and publish a list of high quality curricular materials in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math. Provides that, before curricular material is included on the list, the publisher of the curricular material must enter into a data share agreement with the department. Requires, not later than July 1, 2024, the department to conduct a statewide survey to determine which curricular materials have been adopted for use in certain subjects.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 245
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1591VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires the Indiana archives and records administration to: (1) establish procedures to retain an original record, document, plat, paper, or instrument-in-writing in an electronic format; (2) establish a period of time after which an original record, document, plat, paper, or instrument-in-writing may be destroyed; and (3) prepare and submit, not later than November 1, 2023, a report to the general assembly regarding these matters. Amends the duties of the early learning advisory committee. Changes the prekindergarten pilot program to the prekindergarten program and removes the expiration date. Provides that, at least once every five years, the office, in cooperation with the department of education (department), must carry out a longitudinal study regarding students who participate in the prekindergarten program. Amends requirements regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for child care centers, child care homes, and child care ministries. Requires: (1) each public school to provide information to the department concerning certain physical injuries to employees; and (2) the department to report the information on the department's website. Requires the department to provide certain information to public schools and state accredited nonpublic schools and requires each school to post the information on the school's website home page. Amends innovation network school and participating innovation network charter school provisions regarding: (1) certain agreement requirements and limitations; (2) appeals to the state board of education regarding the failure to follow an agreement renewal process; and (3) negotiating the requirement of specific services. Allows an innovation network team or organizer to enter into an agreement with a school corporation to transfer the ownership of a school corporation facility to the team or organizer and provides that a transfer is not subject to provisions in the law concerning the transfer of vacant school buildings to charter schools. Provides that a school corporation may not require an innovation network team or an organizer to contract for specific goods or services provided by the school corporation or any other entity. Requires information regarding certain possible criminal activity, concluded personnel matter investigations, and matters involving legal expenses be provided to the governing body of a school corporation. Provides that at-risk students who are receiving certain educational services are not included in a public school's four year graduation rate and are included in an eligible school's graduation rate under certain conditions. Amends the definition of "teacher" regarding certain teacher compensation provisions and requires a school corporation to expend at least 62% of the school corporation's state tuition support on teacher compensation. (Current law requires a school corporation to expend at least 45% on full-time teacher salaries.) Requires special education grade 8 through 12 case conference committees to discuss decision making skills and alternatives to appointing a guardian. Requires the department to, subject to appropriation by the general assembly, provide schools the same per pupil exam fee amounts for international baccalaureate and Cambridge International exams as is provided for advanced placement exams. Provides that: (1) any course that meets the requirements of a career and technical education program may be taught virtually by a virtual provider if certain conditions are met; and (2) the virtual course is eligible for a career and technical education grant. Amends the definition of "school scholarship", with regard to scholarship granting organizations. Removes a provision that requires choice scholarship schools to conduct random drawings in a public meeting if applicants for enrollment exceed the number of choice scholarships available to the school. 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 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. Provides that, when developing a proposal for a revised school performance designation, the department shall consider using certain metrics.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 246
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1608EDUCATION MATTERS. (DAVIS M) Provides that a school, an employee or staff member of a school, or a third party vendor used by a school to provide instruction may not provide any instruction to a student in prekindergarten through grade 3 on human sexuality. Provides that a school employee or a school staff member is not prohibited from responding to a question from a student regarding certain topics. Requires a school to notify in writing at least one parent of a student, if the student is an unemancipated minor, of a request made by the student to change the student's name or pronoun, title, or word to identify the student.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 248
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1609WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MATTERS. (DAVIS M) Repeals provisions concerning the work Indiana program. Defines "adult education and literacy activities" and requires that certain money appropriated by the general assembly be used for workforce preparation activities and integrated education and training. Removes or amends certain provisions regarding: (1) reimbursements to eligible providers for adult education that is provided to certain individuals; and (2) adult education grants provided to employers of eligible employees. Allows the department of workforce development to grant a specified diploma to an individual who demonstrates high school level skills through certain competency based assessments and obtains an industry recognized credential. Specifies the meaning of "authorization" for the purpose of certain provisions related to postsecondary proprietary educational institutions. Makes conforming changes.
 Current Status:   5/1/2023 - Public Law 157
 Recent Status:   5/1/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/26/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1623ADMINISTRATIVE LAW. (BARTELS S) Establishes the government reform task force (task force). Provides for members of the task force. Requires the task force to submit a report. Prohibits the consideration of the number or amount of fines or civil penalties imposed on regulated entities by an employee in an agency's evaluation or compensation of the employee. Makes various procedural changes concerning the adoption of administrative rules, including the following: (1) Requires budget agency and office of management and budget review of a regulatory analysis of all proposed rules. (2) Requires a state budget committee review of rules adding or increasing fees, fines, or civil penalties. (3) Requires publication of the text of a proposed rule in the first public comment period and allows a proposed rule to be adopted after one public comment period if no substantive public testimony is received and the rule is not more stringent than applicable federal standards. (4) Replaces various laws granting emergency rulemaking authority with a description of the circumstances when emergency rulemaking (renamed "provisional" rules and "interim" rules) may be used, increases governor and attorney general oversight of provisional or interim rules, and adds a public comment period for interim rules. (5) Reduces from seven to five years the time in which rules need to be readopted to remain effective. (6) Requires agencies to webcast public hearings and allow remote testimony. Prohibits state standards for disposal of coal combustion residuals to be more stringent than federal standards. Allows for certain rules on certain pesticides that are more stringent than federal law. Permits a person to recover attorney's fees if an agency issues an order that is based on an invalid rule or issued without legal authority. Permits an applicant or licensee to recover damages if a professional or occupational licensing agency fails to adopt a rule required to obtain a license. Repeals superseded statutes and makes cross-reference, name, and other conforming changes.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 249
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1635VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires each school corporation to publish on the school corporation's website the graduation rate for each high school in the school corporation. Amends the: (1) definition of "graduation" for the high school graduation rate determination; and (2) graduation rate calculation. Allows charter schools and nonpublic schools to issue an adjunct teacher permit to certain individuals. Provides that an individual who holds an adjunct teacher permit may teach in a career and technical education content area in which the school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school allows the individual to teach based on the individual's experience. Requires the state board of education (state board) to: (1) develop algebra I, algebra II, and geometry courses that include real world application and project based and inquiry based learning; and (2) implement the courses not later than the 2025-2026 school year. Provides that, if the state board establishes an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery as a graduation pathway, the state board shall require a student who elects the pathway to submit documentation that demonstrates the student's intent to enlist in the military as a condition of meeting the pathway requirements. Requires the state board to, not later than July 1, 2023, review and update any guidance issued by the state board regarding the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery as a graduation pathway requirement. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school may not require a student enrolled in the school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school to participate in any particular graduation pathway to be eligible to graduate. Removes a provision that provides that not more than 1% of students of a cohort may receive an alternate diploma. Provides that, for purposes of determining a school's or school corporation's graduation rate, not more than one percent of a school's or school corporation's graduation cohort that receives an alternate diploma may be counted as having graduated. Removes a requirement that a school corporation record or include certain immunization information in the official high school transcript for a high school student. Removes a provision that allows a school corporation to include additional information on a student's high school transcript. Provides that any notification or materials provided or distributed by the Indiana department of health or a school to a parent of a student regarding required or recommended immunizations for the student must clearly delineate or label immunizations that are required and immunizations that are only recommended. Provides that the department of education shall develop a proposal for a revised school performance designation not later than December 1, 2024.
 Current Status:   5/1/2023 - Public Law 160
 Recent Status:   5/1/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/26/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1637TEACHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. (BEHNING R) Increases the annual scholarship amount that the commission for higher education (commission) may award under the next generation Hoosier educators scholarship program from $7,500 to $10,000. Removes limits on the number of next generation Hoosier educators scholarships that may be awarded. Establishes the next generation Hoosier minority educators scholarship program and fund. Provides that the commission may award a next generation Hoosier minority educators scholarship to an eligible applicant in an amount of $10,000 each academic year for not more than four academic years. Establishes criteria an applicant must meet and terms an applicant must agree to in order to receive a next generation Hoosier minority educators scholarship. Increases the annual scholarship amount that an Earline S. Rogers student teaching scholarship for minority students recipient may receive from $4,000 to $5,000.
 Current Status:   5/1/2023 - Public Law 161
 Recent Status:   5/1/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/26/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
HB1638EDUCATION MATTERS. (BEHNING R) Requires the department of education (department) to report to the legislative council findings and recommendations for reducing the amount of redundant data that schools are required to submit to state agencies. Provides that a student presently enrolled in a public high school may retake a virtual course that was previously completed by the student at the same public high school under certain conditions. Provides that if a student elects to retake a virtual course, the retaken course must meet certain criteria. Provides that a student who has retaken a course before July 1, 2023, must receive full credit and a replacement grade for the course under certain conditions. Provides that the department shall require publication of a corrected graduation rate as prescribed by the department (instead of in the next school year's report). Provides that before July 1, 2024, the department may establish or license for use an online platform to provide certain required training programs. Moves up deadlines for recommending and approving streamlined academic standards in order to implement the new standards in the 2023-2024 school year. Provides that the department shall: (1) consider the skills, knowledge, and practices that are necessary to understand and utilize emerging technologies and that may be rendered obsolete by emerging technologies; (2) consider for removal any academic standards that may be obsolete as a result of emerging technologies; and (3) provide support to school corporations regarding the implementation of revised academic standards that have an emerging technologies component. Provides that individuals appointed to an academic standards committee must be racially and geographically diverse. Requires employers to report the employment of students enrolled in work based learning courses to the department of workforce development. Requires a secondary or postsecondary educational institution to ensure that a student's completion of a work based learning course is indicated on the student's transcript. Establishes a science of reading grant. Repeals: (1) the school corporation annual performance report law; (2) the charter school obligation to publish an annual performance report; (3) the performance based awards law; and (4) annual financial reports by school corporations.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 250
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB3STATE AND LOCAL TAX REVIEW TASK FORCE. (HOLDMAN T) Establishes the state and local tax review task force (task force). Specifies the membership of the task force and the topics the task force is required to review. Provides that the member of the task force who is an economist is appointed jointly by the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives. Provides for the selection of the chairperson and vice chairperson of the task force.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 163
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
 
SB35FINANCIAL LITERACY. (GASKILL M) Provides that, beginning with the cohort of students who are expected to graduate from a public school, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school in 2028, an individual must successfully complete a personal financial responsibility course (course) before the individual may graduate. Creates requirements for content that must be covered in a course. Provides that a public school, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school must offer instruction on a course as a separate subject. Provides that the state board may allow a course to satisfy one or more diploma course requirements.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 168
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB72REPORTING ON SCHOOL CURRICULUM. (LEISING J) Provides the following: (1) Not later than October 1, 2023, each public elementary school and state accredited nonpublic elementary school shall provide to the department of education (department) information regarding whether the school provides instruction on cursive writing to students and, if cursive writing instruction is provided, the grade level of students to whom the instruction is provided. (2) Not later than December 1, 2023, the department shall prepare a report regarding the information and submit the report to the legislative council.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 169
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB154CERTAIN COUNTIES PURCHASING AND DATA PROCESSING. (NIEMEYER R) Provides that the county executive of Lake County has jurisdiction over the county purchasing agency and the county data processing agency. Provides that the county executive of St. Joseph County has jurisdiction over the county purchasing agency. (Under current law, the legislative body of Lake County has jurisdiction over both the county purchasing agency and the county data processing agency, and the legislative body of St. Joseph County has jurisdiction over the county purchasing agency.)
 Current Status:   4/20/2023 - Public Law 24
 Recent Status:   4/20/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/17/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB167FAFSA. (LEISING J) Requires all students, except for students at certain nonpublic schools, in the student's senior year to complete and submit the FAFSA not later than April 15 unless: (1) a parent of a student or a student, if the student is an emancipated minor, signs a waiver that the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it; or (2) the principal or school counselor of the student's high school waives the requirement for a group of students due to the principal or school counselor being unable to reach the parents or guardians of the students by April 15 after at least two reasonable attempts to contact the parents or guardians. Requires that the: (1) model notice prepared by the commission for higher education; and (2) notice that each school corporation is required to send regarding the FAFSA; include information regarding the requirements and exceptions for completing the FAFSA. Expires certain requirements on June 30, 2033. Makes a conforming change and technical corrections.
 Current Status:   4/20/2023 - Public Law 29
 Recent Status:   4/20/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/18/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB168STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT RESULTS. (LEISING J) Requires (rather than permits) the department of education to include in a contract with a statewide assessment vendor entered into or renewed after June 30, 2023, a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a student's statewide assessment results. Makes a conforming change and a technical correction.
 Current Status:   4/20/2023 - Public Law 30
 Recent Status:   4/20/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/17/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB177SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE. (KOCH E) Changes the time frame that a candidate for a school board office is required to file the candidate's petition of nomination. Modifies deadlines concerning a statement questioning the validity of a petition of nomination or contesting the denial of certification.
 Current Status:   4/20/2023 - Public Law 34
 Recent Status:   4/20/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/18/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB277FIRE PROTECTION. (FREEMAN A) Provides that an individual who is certified as a fire inspector may conduct a fire inspection. Provides that an individual who is certified as a fire inspector and not an employee of the fire department may conduct a fire inspection after completing additional requirements. Requires a structure constructed or initially converted or remodeled after June 30, 2023, for use as an animal facility to have a fire alarm system or staff on duty any time a dog or cat is present on the premises. Authorizes periodic local or state fire inspections to determine compliance.
 Current Status:   5/1/2023 - Public Law 107
 Recent Status:   5/1/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/26/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB342TEACHER HIRING. (FREEMAN A) Requires a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school to consider using a more comprehensive expanded criminal history background check for employment. Repeals current law concerning a school corporation or charter school's employment of, or contracting with, certain individuals, and establishes a new section that: (1) prohibits a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school from employing or contracting with specified individuals; (2) after June 30, 2023, allows a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school to employ or contract with certain other individuals with a majority vote of the school board, or the equivalent for a charter school, or with a notification of the appointing authority. Specifies that "misconduct" includes certain specified acts. Requires a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school that receives a reference request from another school to disclose specified incidents to the requesting school. Makes conforming changes.
 Current Status:   5/1/2023 - Public Law 110
 Recent Status:   5/1/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/26/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB369AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR REQUIREMENTS. (ROGERS L) Provides that school coaches, assistant coaches, marching band leaders, drama and musical leaders, and extracurricular activity leaders may ensure that an operational automated external defibrillator (AED) is present at each event in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest (event) for which the individual is providing coaching or leadership. Provides that the AED may be: (1) deployed in accordance with the venue specific emergency action plan; (2) located on the premises where the event occurs; and (3) present for the duration of the event. Allows two or more events to share an AED if certain conditions are met. Provides that school coaches, assistant coaches, marching band leaders, drama and musical leaders, and extracurricular activity leaders, at each event, may inform all individuals who are overseeing or supervising the activity of the location of the AED. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school may: (1) ensure that each required AED is properly maintained; (2) develop a venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest (plan); (3) post the plan in a conspicuous place at an event; and (4) share the plan with the school board, school coaches, assistant coaches, marching band leaders, drama and musical leaders, extracurricular activity leaders, and applicable students. Requires a plan to: (1) establish a goal of responding within three minutes; and (2) require the performance of periodic drills. Provides that a school corporation, a charter school, a state accredited nonpublic school, or an accredited nonpublic school may apply for a grant from the Indiana secured school fund to purchase an AED under certain circumstances. Requires the department of education to conduct a statewide survey of school corporations, charter schools, and state accredited nonpublic schools to determine: (1) the number of AEDs owned before July 1, 2023, by schools; and (2) school policies in effect before July 1, 2023, regarding AEDs.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 187
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB380VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (RAATZ J) Requires each school corporation to publish on the school corporation's website the graduation rate for each high school in the school corporation. Amends the definition of "graduation" for purposes of the high school graduation rate determination. Provides that credit for an algebra course earned under certain conditions must count toward the credit requirements for an academic honors diploma. Allows a school corporation to adopt a policy concerning dress code or distractive behavior.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 188
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB391CHARTER SCHOOLS. (ROGERS L) Provides that, for a resolution to adopt a school operating referendum tax levy or school safety referendum tax levy adopted after May 10, 2023, a county auditor must distribute a portion of revenue received from the school operating referendum tax levy or school safety referendum tax levy to each charter school in which students who receive not more than 50% virtual instruction and who have legal settlement in certain school corporations attend. Provides that if a charter school receives a distribution from a school corporation from a school operating referendum tax levy or a school safety referendum tax levy, the charter school must post certain information on the charter school's website. Provides that a charter school that may receive money from a school operating referendum tax levy or a school safety referendum tax levy may not promote a position on a referendum, in the same manner as a school corporation is prohibited from promoting a position on a referendum. Provides that the maximum length of a charter is 15 years. (Current law provides that the maximum length of a charter is seven years.) Provides all charter schools access to loans through the Indiana bond bank. Provides that the state board of education (state board) may advance money to charter schools to be used for: (1) school building construction programs; and (2) educational technology programs. Amends the definition of "school building construction program" to: (1) include the purchase, lease, or financing of land, the construction and equipping of school buildings, and the remodeling, repairing, or improving of school buildings by a charter school; and (2) replace "adjusted assessed valuation" with "assessed valuation" with regard to school corporation eligibility for an advance from the common school fund. Provides that a charter school may not receive an advance from the common school fund for an educational technology program unless the charter school develops a three year technology plan. Provides that a school corporation may not (instead of is not entitled to) receive or use certain money or advances unless the school corporation develops a three year technology plan. Makes conforming changes regarding advances to charter schools from the common school fund. Establishes standards concerning when a school corporation may close an underutilized school building that had been used at any time for classroom instruction. Provides procedures regarding petitioning for a determination as to whether a school building meets criteria for closure or should be made available for sale or lease. Requires the department of education (department) to make a determination regarding a petition. Requires each school corporation to annually report to the department certain information regarding school buildings. Provides procedures for notifying charter schools or state educational institutions through the department of the availability of a covered school building. Provides for appeals of certain orders or decisions to the state board. Provides that the: (1) department; or (2) selected charter school or state educational institution; may request the attorney general to commence a legal action to enforce a final order for the sale or lease of a covered school building or file a civil action to enforce the final order for the sale or lease after certain time periods. Repeals certain provisions regarding investigating complaints and enforcement by the attorney general. Establishes the charter school facility grant program. Makes conforming amendments. Makes a technical correction.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 189
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB404ACCESS TO TRANSCRIPTS. (DEERY S) Provides that a state educational institution or private postsecondary educational institution operated for profit (institution) in Indiana may not: (1) refuse to provide a transcript for a current or former student of the institution on the grounds that the student owes a debt to the institution; (2) charge a higher fee for obtaining a transcript or provide less favorable treatment of a request for a transcript of a current or former student who owes a debt to the institution; or (3) withhold from a current or former student's transcript any degrees earned on the grounds that the student owes a debt to the institution; if the student has paid certain amounts in the past year on the debt owed. Provides that a current or former student may bring a civil action against an institution for a violation of these provisions.
 Current Status:   4/20/2023 - Public Law 51
 Recent Status:   4/20/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/18/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB443VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS. (ROGERS L) Requires the department of education to, not later than November 1, 2023, do the following: (1) Create a list of personal liability insurers that offer personal liability insurance policies for teachers. (2) Post the list on the department's website. Provides that the academic standards committee appointed by the secretary of education must include employers (in addition to other members under current law). Provides that a school psychologist may provide services on a private basis to an individual if the school psychologist receives a referral from the individual's parent and the individual is an unemancipated minor.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 196
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB480GENDER TRANSITION PROCEDURES FOR MINORS. (JOHNSON T) Prohibits a physician or other practitioner from: (1) knowingly providing gender transition procedures to an individual who is less than 18 years of age (minor); and (2) aiding or abetting another physician or practitioner in the provision of gender transition procedures to a minor. Specifies certain medical exceptions. Establishes civil enforcement actions.
 Current Status:   4/5/2023 - Public Law 10
 Recent Status:   4/5/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
3/29/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
SB486EDUCATION MATTERS. (ROGERS L) Repeals teacher training requirements regarding: (1) criminal gang organizations awareness; (2) certain information concerning homeless students; and (3) recognizing the signs and symptoms of seizures and the appropriate steps to be taken to respond to the symptoms; and requires that information concerning these subjects be included within the curriculum of teacher preparation programs. Provides that the department of education (department) may establish or license for use an online platform to provide information and training concerning these and other subjects. Removes certain requirements regarding annual performance evaluation plans for certificated employees, including: (1) certain content requirements; and (2) certain requirements that a plan be discussed. Amends requirements to be considered a probationary teacher and professional teacher. Provides that, after a school corporation has assigned an evaluator to perform a certificated employee's evaluation, the certificated employee may request the school corporation to assign another evaluator. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying current school assessments in an effort to reduce and streamline assessments for Indiana students. Removes a provision that requires a school employer to discuss certain items with the exclusive representative of certificated employees and provides that a school employer may discuss: (1) with a certificated employee or group of certificated employees; or (2) at one or more meetings that are open to all certificated employees; any topic that significantly impacts a certificated employee's working conditions or impacts the educational quality of the school employer's students. Repeals provisions concerning: (1) requirements regarding the adoption of model evaluation plans and an approval process for the plans; (2) the obligation to discuss certain items not requiring either party to enter into a contract, agree to a proposal, or make a concession; and (3) the definition of "discuss" for purposes of the collective bargaining provisions.
 Current Status:   5/4/2023 - Public Law 200
 Recent Status:   5/4/2023 - SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
4/28/2023 - Signed by the President of the Senate
 
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