IndianaHB 1499First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)HouseWALLET

Education matters.

Sponsored By: Robert Behning (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Provides that certain students have the opportunity to retake the determinant evaluation of reading skills at least twice in the summer before grade 3 retention requirements apply. Requires the department of education to establish a registration process for schools to exempt certain English language learners from compliance with grade 3 retention requirements until the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year. Allows required career fairs to be held off of school property if the school provides transportation. Amends agreement requirements with regard to the employment aid readiness network (EARN) Indiana program. Makes a technical correction.

educationthe senateeducation and career development

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More ways students avoid repeating third grade

Effective July 1, 2025, students who fail the state-approved reading test get at least two summer retake opportunities before third-grade retention. This covers evaluations given during the 2024–2025 school year onward, with existing statutory exceptions still applying. Schools can also exempt English learners who fail the test if at least 50% of their third-graders are English learners, as determined by Indiana's education department. The department must create a registration process, and schools must use it to grant these exemptions. The exemption lasts until the 2027–2028 school year begins; the provision expires July 1, 2028.

Yearly career fairs for high school students

Beginning July 1, 2025, every Indiana high school must hold at least one career fair each school year. The fair must take place during regular school hours. Schools can hold fairs jointly or off site, but must then provide transportation to every student in grades 11 and 12.

Lower minimum hours for student work agreements

Beginning July 1, 2025, covered student work agreements must provide an average of at least 10 work hours per week. This lowers the required minimum from 12 hours. The change applies to agreements under the state's work-based learning program, not all student jobs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robert Behning

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Gary Byrne

    Republican • Senate

  • Jake Teshka

    Republican • House

  • Julie McGuire

    Republican • House

  • Linda Rogers

    Republican • Senate

  • Sheila Klinker

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 231 • No: 1

House vote • 4/22/2025

House concurred with Senate amendments

Yes: 90 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 46 • No: 1

House vote • 2/18/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 177

    5/1/2025House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    5/1/2025House
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/23/2025Senate
  4. Signed by the Speaker

    4/22/2025House
  5. House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 514: yeas 90, nays 0

    4/22/2025House
  6. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    4/22/2025Senate
  7. Motion to concur filed

    4/22/2025House
  8. Returned to the House with amendments

    3/26/2025Senate
  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 290: yeas 46, nays 1

    3/25/2025Senate
  10. Senator Byrne added as second sponsor

    3/25/2025Senate
  11. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    3/24/2025Senate
  12. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    3/20/2025Senate
  13. First reading: referred to Committee on Education and Career Development

    3/3/2025Senate
  14. Referred to the Senate

    2/19/2025House
  15. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 200: yeas 95, nays 0

    2/18/2025House
  16. Senate sponsor: Senator Rogers

    2/18/2025House
  17. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/17/2025House
  18. Representatives McGuire and Teshka added as coauthors

    2/13/2025House
  19. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/13/2025House
  20. Representative Klinker added as coauthor

    2/13/2025House
  21. Authored by Representative Behning

    1/21/2025House
  22. First reading: referred to Committee on Education

    1/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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