IndianaSB 366First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)SenateWALLET

Education matters.

Sponsored By: Linda Rogers (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Requires, not later than October 1, 2025, the secretary of education to compile and prepare a report concerning school bus driver safety education training. Makes certain changes concerning the process of filling a school board vacancy. Provides that a superintendent is preferred (current law says required) to hold a master's degree from certain institutions. Provides that certain covered school buildings are not required to revert to a school corporation if the building is subject to ongoing renovations. Provides that a superintendent must discuss a plan for annual performance evaluations with teachers (instead of teachers or the teachers' representative). Requires, not later than August 1, 2025, the early learning advisory committee, in coordination with the department of education, to assess certain prekindergarten program matters and submit a report to the legislative council. Removes a provision that contracts with certain superintendents must be in a form of a regular teacher's contract.

education and career developmentthe houseeducation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

More flexible hiring rules for superintendents

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana school districts prefer superintendents with at least a master's degree, but do not require one. The degree must come from an accredited college or university. Licensed superintendents no longer need a basic contract in the form used for regular teachers.

School boards follow revised governing rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, consolidated school districts fill board vacancies under the state's designated vacancy procedure. After a member dies, the remaining members choose a replacement once the board secretary receives the required death notice. The law also removes an exception to the rule protecting board authority granted by other laws or rules.

State disability schools gain rental options

Beginning July 1, 2025, school districts may rent school property to either or both of two state schools. They are the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Indiana School for the Deaf. This authority expires June 30, 2030. The law does not require a lease or set the rent.

State pays placed children's education costs

Indiana's Department of Child Services must pay education costs for children placed out of state by or with its consent. When an out-of-state public school provides all education services, payment follows a written agreement among the department, facility, and school. Without an agreement, payment covers the school's tuition charge, capped at the comparable Indiana district charge. The nearest comparable Indiana district supplies the cap if the transferring district lacks that school classification. For onsite education through facility staff, a contracted nonpublic provider, or a nonpublic school, the department and facility set payment by written agreement.

Broader student transfers with tuition duties

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana districts may accept transferring students without the previous district's approval. Acceptance remains optional. For transfers to out-of-state public schools, the Indiana district must pay the receiving school's tuition charge, subject to a cap. That duty is no longer limited to transfers under the former approval provision. The cap is the Indiana district's charge for the same school classification, or the nearest Indiana district's comparable charge if needed.

Teacher membership privacy and committee changes

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board may post membership-affidavit data only as district totals, without identifying employees. Teacher representatives certify membership counts by September 15 each year; employers forward the affidavit by October 1. The law removes committee-appointment limits tied to a representative's share of teachers. It also removes restrictions on committees addressing bargaining subjects. It removes the protection stating that an employer's appointment of a teacher to a committee is not an unfair practice.

Unused school buildings return to districts

The law sets a return deadline when ongoing renovations prevent educational use of a covered school building. It applies to buildings bought by charter schools or state colleges and universities. The building returns to the selling district if still unused for classes or academic work two years after the buyer obtains an occupancy permit. The district may then sell or otherwise dispose of it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Linda Rogers

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Brian Buchanan

    Republican • Senate

  • Hunter Smith

    Republican • House

  • Jeff Raatz

    Republican • Senate

  • Julie McGuire

    Republican • House

  • Robert Behning

    Republican • House

  • Stacey Donato

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 73

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Senate concurred with House amendments

Yes: 29 • No: 17

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

Concurrence failed for lack of constitutional majority

Yes: 24 • No: 13

House vote • 4/8/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 63 • No: 27

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 30 • No: 16

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    5/1/2025Senate
  2. Public Law 135

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

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

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

    4/22/2025Senate
  6. Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 469: yeas 29, nays 17

    4/17/2025Senate
  7. Concurrence failed for lack of constitutional majority; Roll Call 461: yeas 24, nays 13

    4/16/2025Senate
  8. Motion to concur filed

    4/10/2025Senate
  9. Returned to the Senate with amendments

    4/9/2025House
  10. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 401: yeas 63, nays 27

    4/8/2025House
  11. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    4/7/2025House
  12. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    4/3/2025House
  13. First reading: referred to Committee on Education

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

    2/14/2025Senate
  15. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 126: yeas 30, nays 16

    2/13/2025Senate
  16. Cosponsors: Representatives McGuire and Smith H

    2/13/2025Senate
  17. House sponsor: Representative Behning

    2/13/2025Senate
  18. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/10/2025Senate
  19. Amendment #2 (Rogers) prevailed; voice vote

    2/10/2025Senate
  20. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/6/2025Senate
  21. Senator Buchanan added as coauthor

    2/3/2025Senate
  22. Senator Raatz added as third author

    2/3/2025Senate
  23. Senator Donato added as second author

    2/3/2025Senate
  24. First reading: referred to Committee on Education and Career Development

    1/13/2025Senate
  25. Authored by Senator Rogers

    1/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (H)

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (S)

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