All Roll Calls
Yes: 231 • No: 50
IndianaHB 1266Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET
Department of education and education matters.
Sponsored By: Robert Behning (Republican)
Signed by Governor
educationthe senateeducation and career developmentappropriations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
15 provisions identified: 12 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Charter schools get referendum dollars
In Lake, Marion, St. Joseph, and Vanderburgh counties, part of certain local referendum levies goes to eligible brick‑and‑mortar charter schools that opt in. Virtual charter schools and adult high schools are excluded, and students must receive no more than 50% virtual instruction. Charters must submit budgets by October 15 and November 1 to receive funds; late schools have money withheld and redistributed. Starting July 1, 2026, distributions continue through the levy’s full term and must be used only for allowed school purposes.
CSA money for licenses and transport
Beginning July 1, 2026, Career Scholarship Account funds can cover up to $1,000 in driver’s license costs if you show hardship and the license is required for the program. CSA funds can also cover up to $625 for transportation if a participating partner matches that amount and hardship is shown. CSA money cannot be used to buy or lease a car.
Easier paths to become a teacher
Beginning July 1, 2026, more people can qualify to teach through alternative routes. For grades 5–12, you can qualify with a 3.0 GPA in the subject, a related graduate degree, a 2.5 GPA plus 18 credits or five years’ experience, or by passing the state content exam. For K–6 and preK–3, similar GPA, experience, or exam options apply. A career specialist permit is also open with 4,000 hours in 5 years or 5,000 hours in 7 years, plus pedagogy requirements; aviation paths are allowed with FAA certificates. If you’re enrolled in an approved alt‑cert program, your emergency permit can be renewed up to two times with proof you’re in good standing.
More K–5 math time and data science
Beginning July 1, 2026, K–5 schedules must include at least 60 minutes of core math and 20 minutes of math intervention daily. The state also builds a new data science math pathway by December 1, 2026. That pathway requirement ends July 1, 2027.
More school scholarships and appeal rights
The state now takes part in the federal tax credit scholarship program. The Department lists qualified scholarship groups each year, accepts applications year‑round, sends the list to the U.S. Treasury by January 1, and posts it online. Starting January 1, 2027, a listed scholarship group must be a 501(c)(3) and cannot limit awards to just one school. Starting July 1, 2026, parents or eligible schools can ask within 30 days for the Department to reconsider a choice scholarship payment based on enrollment counts; the Department can adjust future payments.
Bigger CTE funding tied to job demand
For fiscal years after June 30, 2026, schools get CTE grants based on students and credits times a set amount for each program type. Example rates include $712 for high‑value level 1, $1,069 for high‑value level 2, $499 for apprenticeships, and $150 for travel to a shared site. Each year by December 1, the state categorizes CTE programs and publishes labor demand and wage data; the State Board approves by January 1. Districts can ask to reclassify programs if local job demand differs, and agencies must adopt rules to run the system.
Workforce Pell process for training programs
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state sets up how programs qualify for workforce Pell. Agencies will take applications, approve programs, and allow appeals. Approved programs must report completion, job placement, and graduate earnings, and the state coordinates with workforce and Perkins systems. Indiana cannot add rules that are stricter than federal workforce Pell rules.
New rules for teacher pay and stipends
Starting July 1, 2026, districts may give extra pay outside bargaining if it is in students’ best interest. Raises must use set factors; experience and extra degrees can count for no more than 50%, and student needs must be at least 10%. A teacher’s pay cannot drop below the pre‑July 1, 2015 amount just to fit a new plan. When state tuition support goes up, a district cannot spend less on full‑time teacher salaries than last year’s amount, and must post notices if it fails. Teacher appreciation grants can pay stipends and also cover the employer share of FICA and state retirement costs tied to the stipend.
Old postsecondary CTE law repealed
On July 1, 2026, the state repeals the chapter that governed postsecondary career and technical education (IC 21‑18‑21). This changes the legal framework for those programs and may affect how institutions and students access or organize postsecondary CTE.
Faster test scores and rescoring rights
For 2025–2026, the state reports test proficiency by September 1, 2026. In other years, it reports by July 1 of the test year. Schools must return student scores with guides, show scored responses and rubrics, and allow rescoring on request. The state posts at least ten items per subject and grade, but it does not publish individual student scores. Posting student answers needs parent permission.
Summer reading help gets priority funding
The state prioritizes summer school money for courses that use the science of reading for grade 2 students at risk and grade 3 students who are not proficient. State‑accredited nonpublic and eligible schools can get this funding for those courses. This helps schools offer targeted summer reading support.
Faster mental health graduate pathways review
Starting July 1, 2026, state universities that offer two‑year mental or behavioral health master’s degrees must study if a full‑time student could finish in one year. If paired with a bachelor’s, they must study if students can finish both in five years. This review does not apply to Ivy Tech or Vincennes University.
Local boards for facilities and buses
Participating districts must set up centralized facilities and student transportation boards with at least five members each. Boards include community partners and use experts in facilities, finance, logistics, contracts, and budgets. Boards are to be in place by October 31, 2025, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.
State-approved curriculum lists and prices
Starting July 1, 2026, the state picks and posts high‑quality materials with exact statewide prices. Math is due by July 1, 2027, English by July 1, 2028, and science/technology/engineering by July 1, 2029, with updates every three years. Publishers must give a firm statewide price and agree to data sharing. The Department also alerts local boards to new lists and updates, including price hikes over 5%, and notes that local boards still choose what to adopt.
New rules for proprietary school board
Starting July 1, 2026, the proprietary education board has seven members: the Education Secretary, the Commission’s executive, and five public members appointed by the governor. Appointees must meet party‑balance rules and experience requirements, including proprietary‑school leadership and industrial training backgrounds. Public representatives cannot be tied to proprietary institutions.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Robert Behning
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Jeff Raatz
Republican • Senate
Julie McGuire
Republican • House
Lonnie Randolph
Democratic • Senate
Sheila Klinker
Democratic • House
Tyler Johnson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 425 on HB1266.06.ENGS.CCH001
Yes: 66 • No: 30
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 334 on HB1266.06.ENGS.CCS001
Yes: 28 • No: 19 • Other: 3
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Roll Call 246 on HB1266.05.COMS
Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 1/28/2026
Roll Call 136 on HB1266.03.COMH
Yes: 90 • No: 1 • Other: 3
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
3/12/2026HousePublic Law 159
3/12/2026HouseSigned by the President Pro Tempore
3/5/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
3/3/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
3/2/2026SenateSenator Goode added as conferee
2/27/2026SenateSenator Hunley removed as conferee
2/27/2026SenateRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 334: yeas 28, nays 19
2/27/2026SenateRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 425: yeas 66, nays 30
2/27/2026HouseCCR # 1 filed in the House
2/27/2026HouseRepresentative Greene added as conferee
2/27/2026HouseRepresentative Smith V removed as conferee
2/27/2026HouseCCR # 1 filed in the Senate
2/27/2026SenateSenate conferees appointed: Raatz, Hunley
2/25/2026SenateHouse advisors appointed: Payne, Cash, DeLaney, Klinker, Pfaff
2/25/2026HouseHouse conferees appointed: Behning, Smith V
2/25/2026HouseSenate advisors appointed: Johnson T, Ford J.D.
2/25/2026SenateThird reading: passed; Roll Call 246: yeas 47, nays 0
2/24/2026SenateMotion to dissent filed
2/24/2026HouseHouse dissented from Senate amendments
2/24/2026HouseReturned to the House with amendments
2/24/2026SenateSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
2/23/2026SenateAmendment #1 (Yoder) prevailed; voice vote
2/23/2026SenateSenator Randolph added as cosponsor
2/19/2026SenateCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/19/2026Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed House Bill (H)
Enrolled House Bill (H)
House Bill (H)
House Bill (S)
Introduced House Bill (H)