The Bills That Have Died (So Far) This Legislative Session

Well, there is one thing we can say about our legislators. They are prolific. Especially when it comes to education-related bills.

So far at least 48 education-related bills have died this session.

Here Are Some Things That Won't Happen This Year

1. Elimination of textbook fees for students, even IEP students. There were 2 separate textbook fee bills. 8 states can charge fees for textbooks in the United States. 
2. Lowering the age for compulsory school attendance from age 7 to age 5. There were 2 separate bills for this. About 14 states have age 7.
3. Allowing in-state tuition for undocumented aliens. Again, there were 2 bills.
4. Testing for lead poisoning in students.
5. Sexual assault and hazing legislation for university students. (2 different bills)
6. Better safety measures on school buses.
7. Mandatory civics education. 
8. *** Helping the School City of East Chicago to pay a $3 million loan for a problem that was not their fault. Recall arsenic and lead were found on school ground requiring the school to move and its students to be relocated. The relocation cost $3 million. The relocation has also resulted in the loss of students, which means a loss in their operating budget.  Since the contamination was not their fault, they would like the general funds to pay for the loan. You can read more here. 

List of Dead Bills

HB1040  Muncie Community Schools.
HB1042 Early childhood education
HB1124  Sale of school buildings
HB1165 School buses
HB1166 Teacher evaluations. Defines the term "qualified school district"
HB1169 Textbooks
HB1185 Teacher salaries
HB1205 Resident tuition rate for undocumented aliens
HB1208 School discipline
HB1279 Mandatory testing of students for lead poisoning
HB1282 Employment of students
HB1294 Education study committee
HB1326 School discipline
HB1357 College remedial education
HB1362 Curriculum
HB1377 Seat belts on school buses
HB1392 Mandatory school age
HB1393 Hazing
HB1410 Civics education
SB7 School calendar
SB117 Limits on expulsions and long-term suspensions
SB118 School City of East Chicago loan
SB133 Individual education program students
SB136 Workforce ready grant
SB157 Real world career readiness program
SB204 Veterans educational matters
SB205 School choice scholarships
SB218 Procedures to terminate parental rights
SB220 Reading assessments
SB227 Eligibility for resident tuition rate
SB252 Prevention of sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking
SB255 Mental health education and screening
SB267 School administrator contracts
SB272 Age for compulsory school attendance
SB282 Workforce development matters
SB298 Transfer of credits toward graduate degrees
SB302 Campus speech
SB319 Resident tuition rate for eligible individuals
SB343 Veterans education benefits
SB350 Various education matters
SB352 Privacy of students and families
SB358 Annual notice of teachers' rights
SB364 Income tax credit for K-12 education donations
SB365 Teacher compensation
SB366 Collective bargaining
SB367 Trauma sensitive schools
SB368 School financial condition analysis
SB406 Charter school requirements

Digests of Dead Bills
​HB1040
Muncie Community Schools. Provides that, not later than June 30, 2020, the Muncie Community Schools may request an interest free loan from the common school fund.
 
HB1042
Early childhood education. Removes the requirement that, for an eligible child to qualify for a grant under the prekindergarten pilot program, the eligible child reside with a parent or guardian who is: (1) working or attending a job training program or educational program; or (2) actively seeking employment. Removes a provision that allows priority for a grant to an eligible child whose parent or guardian is involved in: (1) activities that improve the parent's or guardian's education; or (2) job training.
 
HB1124 
Sale of school buildings. Provides that if: (1) two or more school corporations consolidate or reorganize; and (2) a school building becomes closed, unused, or unoccupied as a result of the consolidation or reorganization; the governing body of the consolidated or reorganized school corporation may request from the department of education (department) a waiver from the requirements for making the vacant school building available to a charter school before the school corporation may sell or exchange the building. Requires the department to grant the waiver if requested. Resolves conflicts between P.L.217-2017, P.L.241-2017, and P.L.244-2017.
 
HB1165
School buses. Requires a governing body seeking to purchase a school bus or special purpose bus to request information concerning the cost of purchasing a school bus or special purpose bus equipped with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts. Requires the governing body to hold a public hearing on the costs and benefits of purchasing a school bus or special purpose bus with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts before voting on whether to purchase a school bus or special purpose bus equipped with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts. Allows a school corporation to use a portion of a grant from the safe schools fund or the secured school fund toward purchase or equipping school buses and special purpose buses with safety equipment. Requires each occupant of a school bus or special purpose bus that has a 3-point lap and shoulder safety belt to have the 3-point lap and shoulder safety belt properly fastened about the occupant's body at all times when the bus is in motion. Provides for an exception to the laws concerning other types of passenger restraint systems. Makes an appropriation.
 
HB1166
Teacher evaluations. Defines the term "qualified school district". Provides that each qualified school district shall develop and maintain a teacher performance plan that must be in writing and approved by the department of education (department). Provides that teacher evaluations must be based on statistically verifiable measures of student instructional improvement goals that are approved by the qualified school district after discussing and receiving input from the teachers. Provides that certain teachers who teach at a school that has not been identified by the department as a school subject to comprehensive support and improvement pursuant to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act may be required to receive an evaluation only once every two years. Requires certain teachers to receive annual evaluations. Provides that the department may issue compliance orders to a qualified school district that fails to comply with the provision regarding teacher performance evaluations or the terms of the qualified school district's teacher performance evaluation plan approved by the department. Provides that if a qualified school district does not comply with a compliance order within the time frame established by the department, the department may withhold the distribution of state money, including grants designated for the qualified school district. Provides that a qualified school district may dismiss a new teacher after the teacher's third year of teaching if the teacher received any combination of ratings of "needs improvement" or "ineffective" during the teacher's initial three years of teaching. Repeals a current provision establishing requirements for a school corporation's staff performance evaluation plan. Repeals certain definitions relating to school staff performance evaluation plans. Makes conforming amendments. Makes technical corrections.
 
HB1169
Textbooks. Requires public schools to provide curricular materials to students at no cost to a student. Establishes the curricular materials fund (fund) to provide state reimbursements for costs incurred by public schools to provide curricular materials to students at no cost. Provides that the department of education shall administer the fund. Provides that money in the fund is continually appropriated. Makes conforming changes consistent with 2017 legislation and other corresponding changes.
 
HB1185
Teacher salaries. Provides that, for a compensation plan adopted after June 30, 2018, one factor on which a school corporation must base an increase or increment in a local salary range for a teacher is the teacher's possession of a master's or doctorate degree or completion, at any time, of credit hours necessary to obtain a master's or doctorate degree. Provides that a school corporation may negotiate an increase or increment for salaries of teachers who make less than the greater of: (1) $50,000; or (2) the state average for teacher yearly salaries; if the teacher worked at least 120 days for the school corporation during the previous school year. Provides that a school corporation must demonstrate that providing an increase or increment will not place the school corporation in a position of deficit financing.
 
HB1205
Resident tuition rate for undocumented aliens. Provides that an agency or political subdivision is not required to verify that an individual is a United States citizen or qualified alien for the individual to be eligible to pay the resident tuition rate. Repeals a provision that provides that an individual who is not lawfully in the United States is not eligible to pay the resident tuition rate.
 
HB1208
School discipline. Provides that an evidence based plan for improving student behavior and discipline in a school corporation: (1) may not contain any zero tolerance requirements; (2) must reduce disproportionality in discipline or inappropriately high rates of in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, and expulsion; and (3) must limit referrals to law enforcement or arrests on school property to those necessary to protect the health and safety of other students or school employees. Adds a definition of "exclusion". Adds a definition of "positive discipline". Provides that a school's discipline policy must include a graduated system of discipline and incorporate positive discipline principles and establish clear limits for referring students to law enforcement officials only in cases necessary to protect the safety of other students or school employees. Makes various changes to provisions relating to school discipline to reduce student exclusion from school. Repeals a provision that provides that a principal may require a student at least 16 years of age who wishes to reenroll in school after an expulsion to attend certain alternative educational programs.
 
HB1279
Mandatory testing of students for lead poisoning. Mandates that the governing body of a school corporation require students to be tested for lead poisoning.
 
HB1282
Employment of students. Repeals provisions that require certain students to obtain an employment certificate from an issuing officer in an accredited school to obtain employment. Makes changes to the times that a student who is at least 14 years of age and less than 17 years of age may work. Repeals provisions relating to the amount of time a student who is at least 14 years of age and less than 17 years of age may work. Eliminates requirements for the bureau of motor vehicles to revoke a driver's license or learner's permit of a school dropout. Makes conforming amendments.
 
HB1294
Education study committee. Urges the legislative council to assign to the education study committee during the 2018 legislative interim the topic of studying a diploma option that would replace the Core 40 diploma and general education diploma requirements. Urges the legislative council to assign to the education study committee during the 2018 legislative interim the topic of studying whether Indiana should replace the "A" through "F" grading scale to designate school performance because of changes in federal school accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
 
HB1326
School discipline. Provides that an evidence based plan for improving student behavior and discipline in a school corporation must seek to: (1) reduce out-of-school suspensions and disproportionality in discipline and expulsions; and (2) limit referrals to law enforcement or arrests on school property to cases in which referral to law enforcement or arrest is necessary to protect the health and safety of other students or school employees. Adds a definition of "exclusion". Adds a definition of "positive discipline". Provides that discipline policies established by a superintendent or member of the superintendent's administrative staff must be consistent with positive discipline practices. Provides that a school's discipline policy must include a graduated system of discipline and incorporate positive discipline principles and establish clear limits for referring students to law enforcement officials. Makes various changes to provisions relating to school discipline to reduce student exclusion from school. Repeals a provision that provides that a principal may require a student at least 16 years of age who wishes to reenroll in school after an expulsion to attend certain alternative educational programs.
 
HB1357
College remedial education. Provides for the Hoosier student success initiative. Requires a state educational institution to develop a plan for students who are determined to need remedial education. Requires state educational institutions to develop a corequisite model under which a student concurrently enrolls in a remedial education course and a freshman level course in the same subject area for each subject area for which the student is referred for remedial course work. Provides that, not later than August 1, 2024, each state educational institution shall ensure that at least 75% of the state educational institution's students enrolled in remedial course work other than adult basic education or basic academic skills education are enrolled in remedial corequisite course work. Requires the commission for higher education (commission), in consultation with state educational institutions, to develop and provide professional development programs to faculty and staff who provide remedial course work. Requires each state educational institution to annually report to the commission on the success of the students and the effectiveness of the student success initiative. Requires, not later than November 1, 2020, and each November 1 thereafter, that the commission submit a report evaluating the success of the initiative on a statewide basis to the general assembly
 
HB1362
Curriculum. Requires each: (1) school corporation; (2) charter school; and (3) accredited nonpublic school; to offer computer coding as a one semester elective course in its high school curriculum at least once every school year. Provides that the course may be offered through a course access program administered by the department of education. Requires that a computer coding course must be counted as fulfilling an elective or required world languages credit for a high school diploma unless the course counts as fulfilling another required credit for a high school diploma.
 
HB1377
Seat belts on school buses. Provides that a school bus or special purpose bus that is placed into operation after June 30, 2019, and that is used to transport elementary school or high school students must be equipped with a 3-point lap and shoulder safety belt (safety belt) at each seating location. Requires the state school bus committee to adopt rules for the design, installation, and use of safety belt systems that must be installed in school buses and special purpose buses. Provides for an exception to the laws concerning other types of passenger restraint systems. Requires each occupant of a school bus or special purpose bus that has a safety belt to have the safety belt properly fastened about the occupant's body at all times when the bus is in motion. Establishes the safety belt revolving loan fund (fund). Requires the department of education to establish a revolving loan program to provide loans from the fund to school corporations to assist school corporations, including charter schools, in paying expenses necessary to comply with requirements concerning safety belts on school buses and special purpose buses. Appropriates $5,000,000 to the fund from the state general fund. Makes conforming amendments. 
 
HB1392
Mandatory school age. Provides that, after June 30, 2019, a student shall enroll in a kindergarten program not later than the fall term of the school year if the student is five years of age on August 1 of that school year. Makes conforming amendments.
 
HB1393
Hazing. Requires a state educational institution to establish and adopt a policy regarding hazing. Requires that the policy include a requirement that a designated office of a state educational institution, not later than January 1, 2020, and not later than January 1 of each year thereafter, submit to the commission of higher education (commission) a report regarding the number of reports of incidents of hazing, suspected hazing, and any other information requested by the commission. Allows for the commission to adopt rules regarding the hazing policy. Requires a state educational institution to, not later than August 1, 2019, develop andimplement a hazing education program for all new students as part of the state educational institution's new student orientation. Amends the elements to the offense of hazing and repeals the current definition. Prohibits a certain defense to a prosecution for the offense of hazing.
 
HB1410
Civics education. Requires a school corporation, charter school, state accredited nonpublic school, or eligible school (school) to administer a final exam that is developed by the state board of education at the completion of a United States government course. Provides that a school must assign to a student a grade for the exam as a component of the student's grade for a United States government course. Allows a school to determine the weight assigned to the grade on the exam for the course.
 
SB7
School calendar. Prohibits public schools and accredited nonpublic schools from beginning student instructional days for the school year before the last Monday in August, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.
 
SB117
Limits on expulsions and long-term suspensions. Requires a determination that a student's school suspension or expulsion will prevent or reduce the risk of interference with an educational function or school purposes, disruption of the learning environment, or physical injury to the student, other students, school employees, or school visitors and, in the case of an expulsion, a determination that all other available and appropriate disciplinary and behavioral interventions have been exhausted. Requires inclusion of the rationale for the use of school suspension or expulsion in the statement to a student's parent.
 
SB118
School City of East Chicago loan. Transfers, not later than July 1, 2018, to the school disaster loan fund from the state general fund an amount sufficient to pay off the loan that was made to the School City of East Chicago school corporation from the school disaster loan fund.
 
SB133
Individual education program students. Requires public schools to provide curricular materials to students with an individualized education program at no cost to the student. Makes conforming changes.
 
SB136
Workforce ready grant. Provides that an applicant is eligible to receive a high value workforce ready noncredit-bearing grant if the applicant has been accepted for enrollment in a noncredit-bearing credential or similar program that offers a certification or credential upon completion that is approved by the department of workforce development. Provides that the credential or similar program may be offered by any public, private, or nonprofit entity, including a postsecondary educational institution. Provides that the noncredit-bearing credential or similar programs determined to be eligible for the high value workforce ready noncredit-bearing grant may not be limited to programs offered by a postsecondary educational institution
 
SB157
Real world career readiness program. Establishes the real world career readiness program (program). Provides that the state board of education (state board) shall establish the program to provide a real world career readiness student with career and technical education credentials necessary to transition from school to the workforce. Provides that the state board, in consultation with the department of workforce development, may create an authorized program, or approve high or moderate value career and technical education programs administered by one or more school corporations or charter schools. Provides that a real world career readiness student may attend an authorized program for a period of not more than one school year after the student's cohort's expected graduation year in order to obtain an industry recognized certification, credential, or postsecondary degree. Provides that a program must include an apprenticeship program, a cooperative program, or a work based learning program. Provides that a student may participate in an authorized program if the student: (1) participates in the Indiana career explorer program or curriculum or an alternative Internet based system and curriculum approved by the department of education, in consultation with the department of workforce development, that includes an aptitude assessment that demonstrates the student's aptitude, in a manner prescribed by the state board, on the aptitude assessment administered for the applicable field of study; or (2) meets alternative qualification requirements for the student's applicable field of study established by the state board in consultation with the department of workforce development. Provides that not later than July 1, 2019, each school corporation or charter high school, either solely, or in a cooperative or consortia with one or more school corporations or charter high schools, must participate in an authorized program beginning with a cohort with an expected graduation year of 2023. Provides that an eligible pupil, for purposes of calculating state tuition support, includes a student enrolled in a program.
 
SB204
Veterans educational matters. Excludes from the determination of financial eligibility for need based financial aid certain benefits received by veteran students. Provides for state educational institution students who are members of the Indiana National Guard or the reserves and are called to active duty during an academic term to receive: (1) a tuition refund or credit; or (2) reenrollment in courses not completed due to active duty status.
 
SB205
School choice scholarships. Provides that, if an eligible choice scholarship student (student) leaves an eligible school during the school year and transfers during the same school year to a different eligible school that has a choice scholarship available for that eligible school, the student may use the amount remaining of the choice scholarship awarded to the student for that school year to pay the tuition at the eligible school to which the student has transferred for the remainder of the school year. Provides that the student may not use the amounts if the student has previously transferred eligible schools during that same school year. Provides that any amounts distributed may not exceed the cost of tuition at the eligible school to which the student transfers. 
 
SB218
Procedures to terminate parental rights. Provides that a court may find that reasonable efforts to reunify a child with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or preserve a child's family are not required if the court finds that the parent, guardian, or custodian of a child who is a child in need of services has failed to maintain consistent and meaningful contact with the child over at least the most recent 12 months. Adds to the list of allegations that satisfy the requirements for a petition for termination of parental rights an allegation that: (1) the parent has failed to maintain consistent and meaningful contact with the child over at least the most recent 12 months; or (2) the parent abandoned the child for at least six months before the filing of the petition to terminate parental rights. Requires a person filing a petition for termination of parental rights to request a hearing at the time the petition is filed.
 
SB220
Reading assessments. Requires, after June 30, 2019, that the state superintendent of public instruction's reading deficiency remediation plan (IREAD) must include a reading evaluation for students by grade 2. Provides that a student who requires remediation after the student is evaluated in grade 2 must receive remedial action and be reevaluated in grade 3. Provides that if the student remains below standard after receiving remedial action and being reevaluated in grade 3, the student, after other methods of remediation have been evaluated or used, or both, may be retained as a last resort.
 
SB227
Eligibility for resident tuition rate. Provides that an individual who meets certain conditions is eligible for the resident tuition rate as determined by the state educational institution. Requires the commission for higher education to prescribe the form of the affidavit an individual must file to be eligible for the resident tuition rate. Provides that an agency or political subdivision is not required to verify that an individual is a United States citizen or qualified alien for the individual to be eligible to pay the resident tuition rate. Repeals a provision that provides that an individual who is not lawfully in the United States is not eligible to pay the resident tuition rate. 
 
SB252
Prevention of sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Requires each approved postsecondary educational institution to do the following: (1) Establish a comprehensive policy concerning sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking (comprehensive policy). (2) Develop a concise notice, written in plain language, regarding the rights and options of students who are victims of sexual violence, domestic violence, or stalking and provide the notice to students from whom the approved postsecondary educational institution receives a report of a violation of the comprehensive policy. (3) Designate one or more individuals to serve as confidential advisors to provide emergency and ongoing support to students who are victims of sexual violence, domestic violence, or stalking. (4) Establish a complaint resolution procedure to resolve reports of student violations of an approved postsecondary educational institution's comprehensive policy. (5) Provide training and information concerning sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking to students and certain employees of the approved postsecondary educational institution. (6) Establish an approved postsecondary educational institution campus wide task force or participate in a regional task force to work toward improving coordination among community leaders and service providers in the prevention of sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking and ensure a coordinated response of law enforcement and victim services. (7) Submit a report to the commission for higher education (commission) concerning an approved postsecondary educational institution's comprehensive policy, notice of student rights and options, and information regarding reports of sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking at the approved postsecondary educational institution. Requires the commission to maintain on the commission's Internet web site a list of all the approved postsecondary educational institutions that fail to comply with the reporting requirements.
 
SB255
Mental health education and screenings. Requires a school corporation's health education curriculum to include mental health wellness education. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may provide mental health screenings to students if the governing body receives written consent from a student's parent or guardian to provide a mental health screening to the student. Requires the department of education to provide a school corporation with resources regarding mental health wellness upon request by the school corporation.
 
SB267
School administrator contracts. Provides that, unless a provision in a contract entered into or renewed between the governing body of a school corporation and a principal or an assistant principal before July 1, 2018, provides otherwise, the governing body of a school corporation may not pay to a principal or an assistant principal to buy out a contract an amount that exceeds an amount equal to the principal's or assistant principal's salary for any one year under the contract. Provides that, unless a provision in a contract entered into or renewed between the governing body of a school corporation and an assistant superintendent before July 1, 2018, provides otherwise, a governing body may not pay to an assistant superintendent to buy out a contract an amount that exceeds an amount equal to the lesser of: (1) the assistant superintendent's salary for any one year under the contract; or (2) $250,000. Requires that an initial employment contract entered into between the governing body of a school corporation and an assistant superintendent, a principal, or an assistant principal be at least one year and not more than 3 years. (Current law requires the initial contract between the governing body of a school corporation and a principal or assistant principal be the equivalent of at least two years.) Provides that a contract with an assistant superintendent, a principal, or an assistant principal may be extended for an additional three years.
 
SB272
Age for compulsory school attendance. Provides that a student is bound by compulsory school attendance requirements from the beginning of the fall school term for the school year in which the student is five years of age on August 1 of that school year. (Current law provides that a student is bound by compulsory school attendance requirements from the beginning of the fall school term for the school year in which the student becomes seven years of age.) Makes conforming amendments.
 
SB282
Workforce development matters. Requires the state board of education, when establishing an apprenticeship as a graduation pathway requirement, to establish as an apprenticeship only an apprenticeship program registered under the federal National Apprenticeship Act or another federal apprenticeship program administered by the United States Department of Labor. Requires the state workforce innovation council, not an advisory committee, to approve all applicable federal and state workforce related programs. Defines apprenticeship program and work based learning course for career and technical education purposes.
 
SB298
Transfer of credits toward graduate degrees. Requires the commission for higher education (commission) to study and prepare a report concerning transferability of courses between state educational institutions. Requires the commission to provide the report not later than August 1, 2018, to the department of education, the state board of education, and the legislative council. Defines "eligible teacher", for purposes of the dual credit teacher stipend matching grant fund, as a teacher who teaches a dual credit class and either holds or is in the process of obtaining, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent, a master's degree that includes at least 18 credit hours in the subject area of the dual credit class the teacher teaches.
 
SB302
Campus speech. Requires each state educational institution to adopt policies protecting free speech.
 
SB319
Resident tuition rate for eligible individuals. Provides that an individual, except for certain nonimmigrant aliens, who: (1) attends a high school in Indiana for at least three years; (2) registers as an entering student at or enrolls in a state educational institution not earlier than the fall semester (or its equivalent, as determined by the state educational institution) of the 2015-2016 academic year; and (3) graduates from a high school located in Indiana or receives the equivalent of a high school diploma in Indiana; is eligible for the resident tuition rate beginning in the fall semester of the 2018-2019 academic year. Requires such an individual to verify that the individual meets the criteria to receive the resident tuition rate.
 
SB343
Veterans education benefits. Provides that a student who is eligible to receive a tuition and fee exemption because the student is a child of a veteran must maintain at least a cumulative grade point average that the eligible institution determines is satisfactory academic progress, which may not be less than a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale or its equivalent as established by the eligible institution. (Current law requires the student to maintain at least a cumulative grade point average that the eligible institution determines is satisfactory academic progress.) Provides that if the Indiana department of veterans' affairs approves a request for a determination of eligibility for a person after the person initially enrolls in a state educational institution (institution) and while the person is attending the institution, the determination of eligibility shall be made retroactive to the date of submission to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs of the application to recognize the person's mother's or father's service related death or disability. Provides that the applicant may receive a refund equal to the amount of the tuition and fees paid to the institution by the applicant. Repeals a provision that limits the tuition exemption amount for a child of a veteran who served in the armed forces after June 30, 2011, based on the percentage of the parent's disability rating. Makes conforming amendments. 
 
SB350
Various education matters. Requires the board of a charter school to consist of at least two members who reside within the geographic boundaries of the school corporation in which the charter school is located. Prohibits an authorizer from accepting a proposal to establish a charter school from an organizer that already operates a charter school in Indiana unless the organizer provides evidence of improvement and achievement of student academic performance at the charter school. Requires the department of education (department) to establish requirements or criteria to prevent charter school and organizer financial and enrollment fraud, waste, and abuse. Requires a charter school and organizer to obtain annually an independent audit. Provides that, not later than July 1, 2019, and each July 1 thereafter, each charter school and organizer shall submit a report to the department. Requires the department and each charter school to post a copy of the report on their respective Internet web sites. Provides that, if the department finds that a charter school or organizer has misrepresented facts or committed fraud, waste, or abuse, the department shall issue findings and may make recommendations to the state board of education to take certain action, including withholding distributions or requiring an authorizer to revoke the charter school's charter. Requires that at least 50% of the public meetings of a charter school be held in the geographic boundaries of the school corporation in which the charter school is located. Provides that increases or increments in a local teacher salary range are not required to be equal for all teachers even if the salary increases or increments are based on the same combination of weighted factors.
 
SB352
Privacy of students and families. Provides that computer programs and assessments used in connection with a personal analysis, an evaluation, or a survey are included in the instructional materials that a school corporation must make available for inspection by students' parents. Provides that a student may not be required to participate in a personal analysis, an evaluation, or a survey that reveals or attempts to affect the student's attitudes, habits, traits, opinions, beliefs, or feelings concerning sexual orientation (in addition to the list of other matters that a student may not be required to participate in regarding a personal analysis, an evaluation, or a survey). Provides that a school corporation or school shall obtain prior written consent from the parent of a student who is less than 18 years of age and not emancipated before the student may participate in any medical health assessment or service, mental health assessment, or mental health service that is conducted in connection with the school corporation or school. Requires that, before obtaining the consent of a parent, a school corporation or school shall provide the parent informed written notice describing in detail the medical health assessment or service, mental health assessment, or mental health service. Provides that a school corporation or school may not require, without prior consent from the student's parent, a student to submit to a psychiatric or psychological examination or test or psychiatric or psychological treatment in which the purpose of the examination, test, or treatment is to reveal certain information. Establishes requirements regarding student education records, personally identifiable information of a student, and certain other information concerning a student.
 
SB358
Annual notice of teachers' rights. Provides that the attorney general is required to send by electronic mail the annual letter to teachers summarizing teachers' rights and protections under state and federal law. (Current law requires the letter to be sent by first class mail to the teachers' homes.) Charges the department of education (department) with developing a method to provide the attorney general with the names and electronic mail addresses of current teachers in Indiana. (The law currently requires the department to provide the attorney general with the teachers' residential addresses.)
 
SB364
Income tax credit for K-12 education donations. Provides a 50% income tax credit to donors who donate to a public school foundation. Sets forth standards that apply to taking the credit and to public school foundations that receive contributions. Limits the total credits that may be claimed during a state fiscal year using a three year phase in period.
 
SB365
Teacher compensation. Provides that a school corporation may increase a teacher's base salary that exceeds the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan if the teacher possesses a master's degree that is: (1) directly related to the content area of a dual credit course or another course taught by the teacher; or (2) approved by the governing body of the school corporation. (Current law provides that a school corporation may provide a supplemental payment to a teacher that exceeds the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan if the teacher has earned a master's degree in a content area directly related to the subject matter of a dual credit course or another course taught by the teacher.) Provides that a school corporation may increase the base salary of an elementary school teacher who possesses a master's degree in math, reading, or literacy. (Current law provides that a supplemental payment may be made to an elementary school teacher who earns a master's degree in math or reading and literacy.)
 
SB366
Collective bargaining. Provides that increases or increments in a local teacher salary range are not required to be equal for all teachers even if the salary increases or increments are based on the same combination of weighted factors. Provides that teacher working hours are subject to collective bargaining. Provides that an employer is required to discuss: (1) working conditions; and (2) student learning; with the exclusive representative of certificated employees. Removes teacher evaluations from the list of items that are required to be considered to determine teacher salary increases or increments. Makes changes to the term "deficit financing" for purposes of determining the amount of money that is available for teacher contracts. Makes conforming changes consistent with 2017 legislation.
 
SB367
Trauma sensitive schools. Requires the department of education to conduct a statewide needs assessment survey concerning student service providers and how schools are addressing the social and emotional needs of students.
 
SB368
School financial condition analysis. Provides for a coordinated effort by the department of education, the department of local government finance, the state board of accounts, the management performance hub (MPH), and the distressed unit appeal board (DUAB) in identifying whether a school corporation needs technical assistance in addressing its financial condition. Requires the MPH to submit a preliminary report of its findings to the interim committee on fiscal policy before submitting a final report to the DUAB. Requires the DUAB to make a determination whether a school corporation identified by another agency needs technical assistance, and requires the DUAB to initiate contact with the school corporation governing body chairperson and superintendent to offer the technical assistance. Provides that if a school corporation accepts the assistance, a technical assistance team is created. Requires the team to perform a thorough review of the school corporation's financial condition and recommend actions the school corporation could take to address its financial condition. Requires the team leader to meet with the school corporation officials to review the report. Requires the team leader to include any written response by the school corporation officials in the final report to the DUAB. Specifies that the governing body, the superintendent, and the DUAB may enter into an agreement setting forth the actions that will be taken to implement the recommendations. 
 
SB406
Charter school requirements. Requires that the board of a charter school must consist of at least two members who reside within the geographic boundaries of the school corporation in which the charter school is located. Prohibits an authorizer from accepting a proposal to establish a charter school from an organizer that already operates a charter school in Indiana unless the organizer provides evidence of improvement and achievement of student academic performance at the charter school. Removes certain provisions that allow charter schools to: (1) limit new admissions; and (2) give preference to children of the charter school's founders, governing body members, and charter school employees. Prohibits a charter school authorizer or organizer from interfering with or discouraging employees who seek to organize and bargain collectively. Requires all full-time teachers in a charter school to hold a teaching license or to be enrolled in a transition to teaching program. Requires the department of education (department) to establish requirements or criteria to prevent charter school and organizer financial and enrollment fraud, waste, and abuse. Requires a charter school and organizer to obtain annually an independent audit. Provides that, not later than July 1, 2019, and each July 1 thereafter, each charter school and organizer shall submit a report to the department. Requires the department and each charter school to post a copy of the report on their Internet web sites. Provides that, if the department finds that a charter school or organizer has misrepresented facts or committed fraud, waste, or abuse, the department shall issue a summary of the department's findings and may make recommendations to the state board of education to take certain actions, including withholding distributions or requiring an authorizer to revoke the charter school's charter. Requires that at least 50% of the public meetings of a charter school must be held in the geographic boundaries of the school corporation in which the charter school is located. Establishes the charter school market assessment board (board). Requires the board to: (1) conduct a market assessment; (2) provide notice of public meetings and conduct public meetings to receive public input on the market assessment topics; and (3) before January 1, 2019, prepare and submit a report to the legislative council of the board's findings and any recommendation by the board concerning the market assessment.