Statehouse Update
The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse, and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This Statehouse Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking that have had activity up to this point in the third week of session.
House Bills
HB 1001: Education and Higher Education Matters
Passed House 80-17
This bill includes language to improve the Career Scholarship Account (CSA). Effective July 1, 2025, allows recipients of the 21st Century Scholarship and Frank O’Bannon Grant to use funding towards the cost of employer or labor organization training. This bill requires public colleges to report information to the Commission for their analysis of information.
HB 1042: Transition to Teaching
Passed House 96-0
This bill would allow the Commission to use any remaining funds of the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship fund to award additional Transition to Teaching Scholarships. The bill removes a provision concerning the reduction of scholarships if certain limits are exceeded.
HB 1179: State Educational Institutions
Passed House Education 13-0
The bill requires the board of trustees of a state educational institution to adopt a policy on (1) prohibiting the transfer, licensing, or sublicensing of intellectual property developed using the state educational institution's resources to a business entity organized under the laws of a foreign adversary; and (2) prohibiting an employee of the state educational institution from making a public statement in the employee's official capacity unless the statement (a) relates to the operation of the state educational institution, or to a state educational institution sponsored event; or (b) has been approved by the board of trustees. The bill prohibits a state educational institution from using state funds or resources to: (1) engage or contract with an individual associated with a foreign terrorist organization or a state sponsor of terror; or (2) support the activities of a foreign terrorist organization or a state sponsor of terror.
HB 1243: Various Education & Workforce Matters
Passed House Education 12-0
This bill establishes an executive committee of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet (GWC). The executive committee approves CSA programs and providers to participate. The bill also states that employers must provide starting wages to employees and provide current standardized occupational classification.
HB 1259: Professions and Occupations
Passed House Public Health 12-0
Allows the Indiana state board of nursing (board) to issue, by examination, a registered nurse license to graduates of a foreign nursing school. Allows the board to issue, by examination, a licensed practical nurse license to graduates of a foreign nursing school. The bill allows the majority of nursing program faculty to be part-time employees of an approved postsecondary educational institution or a hospital that conducts the nursing program.
HB 1304: Education Matters
Passed House Education 9-0 and recommitted to House Ways and Means
The bill establishes the committee on school data reporting to review regulations by state agencies and defines "literacy coach" and sets forth the requirements for a literacy coach. It requires the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, in conjunction with the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE), to partner with the National Council on Teacher Quality to evaluate teacher preparation reading instruction programs. The bill provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, the IDOE may not renew a practitioner license or a comparable license to certain individuals unless the individual receives a literacy endorsement. The bill also requires the IDOE to develop guidelines regarding the use of curriculum or content that prepares elementary school teacher candidates in math instruction and requires the SBOE to establish a micro-credential for kindergarten through grade 8 math for experienced and highly skilled teachers and establish the requirements to receive the micro-credential.
Senate Bills
SB 8: Higher Education Matters
Passed Senate Education and Career Development 12-0 and recommitted to Senate Appropriations. This is the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE)’s agency bill with priorities added from the Governor’s Office
This bill requires Indiana high schools to provide the Indiana College Core or create an implementation plan by the 2025-2026 school year. Colleges are required to offer a 3-year degree program and require 4-year campuses to submit a study on advisability and feasibility of offering an associate degree to students who do not wish to continue their education. The bill requires CHE, in coordination with the Indiana Department of Education and institutions, to maintain and post a list and syllabus of each eligible college core course.
SB 45: Trauma Informed Care
Passed Senate Health and Provider Services 10-0 and recommitted to Senate Appropriations
Requires the Indiana state board of nursing to study whether trauma informed care should be included as part of the required curriculum for nursing education programs. Requires an individual who holds an active license as a nurse and has direct patient contact to complete a trauma informed care training program within a specified time.
SB 150: Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
Approved by Senate Rules Committee without recommendation and engrossed on 2nd Reading
This bill creates an artificial intelligence task force to assess and study the use of artificial intelligence technology by state agencies. The bill also states that state educational institutions may adopt policies to address technology resources and cybersecurity policies.
SB 202: State Educational Institution Matters
Passed Senate Education and Career Development 9-4
Amends the duties of state educational institutions' diversity committees. Provides that certain offices or individuals established or employed by a state educational institution regarding diversity programming must include within the mission of the office or position programming that substantially promotes both cultural and intellectual diversity. Adds two member appointments by the legislative council to each institution’s board of trustees and establishes various reporting requirements by institutions with the submission of their legislative budget request.