Statehouse Update 12
Introduction
This week bills continued to move through the House and Senate Committees and onto the chamber floors. Authors of bills that have been returned to their house of origin with amendments are beginning to file concurrences or dissents, which will indicate whether those bills will go through the conference committee process.
Please see below for a sample of bills being tracked by Ball State Governmental Relations that are being considered in the 2023 legislative session. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our office at gov@bsu.edu.
Bills that Moved
House Bills
HB 1002: EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE MATTERS Establishes the: (1) career scholarship account program (CSA program); (2) career scholarship account program fund (CSA program fund); (3) career scholarship account administration fund; (4) connecting students with careers fund; and (5) intermediary capacity building fund. Provides that the department of education (department), in consultation with the governor's workforce cabinet (cabinet), shall designate and approve a sequence, course, modern youth apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or program of study that culminates in an approved credential and is offered by an employer that has partnered with an approved intermediary to offer the sequence, course, modern youth apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or program of study. Provides for revocation of the approval if the sequence, course, modern youth apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or program of study fails to achieve an adequate outcome, as determined by the department, in consultation with the governor's workforce cabinet. Includes requirements for students receiving state aid to meet with an employer, intermediary, or labor organization during their first and third years of post-secondary education. HB 1002 received a hearing in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and awaits a vote.
HB 1558: SCIENCE OF READING Defines "science of reading". Requires the state board of education (board) in collaboration with the department of education (department) to prepare a report on the current use of science of reading concepts in IREAD. Establishes the science of reading grant fund (fund) for the purpose of assisting school corporations in placing literacy instructional coaches in elementary schools, obtaining science of reading training for teachers, and complying with science of reading curriculum requirements. Provides an application process for the fund, and creates certain application approval objectives. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, requires the board and the department to adopt academic standards for reading that are based on the science of reading and publish an advisory list of science of reading curricula on the department's website. Requires the department to develop guidelines for science of reading integration into teacher preparation programs. Requires an individual to show proficiency in science of reading instruction and to obtain a science of reading certification in order to be licensed as an elementary school teacher. Provides that money in the science of reading grant fund may be used for teachers to obtain a reading specialist certification. Provides that not later than July 1, 2024, the state board of education shall adopt rules to establish early childhood and elementary school teacher content area licenses and required endorsements that must, at a minimum, include a required literacy endorsement. Establishes requirements necessary to be eligible for the required literacy endorsement. HB 1558 was heard in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and awaits a vote.
Senate Bills
Senate Bill 384: PURPLE STAR DESIGNATION Requires the commission for higher education (CHE) and the Indiana department of veterans' affairs to develop and implement the higher education purple star designation for the following purposes: (1) To recognize postsecondary educational institutions that are supportive and inclusive of veterans and military connected families. (2) To provide veterans and military connected families with enhanced support for pursuing and finishing a degree or postsecondary credential. Provides that the application for a designation must be made available to interested postsecondary educational institutions on the website of the CHE before May 1, 2024. SB 384 passed the House on third reading and now goes back to the Senate with amendments.
Looking Ahead
Next week, floor activity in the House and Senate is expected to increase as committees continue to hear and pass bills onto the chamber floors. Next week is the last full week of committee activity before the deadlines which are April 11 and April 13 for the House and Senate respectively.
On Monday, the Commission for Higher Education will hold their annual Weldon Conference where they share information about trends, initiatives, state priorities, and best practices with stakeholders. On Tuesday, Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery will deliver his first State of Higher Education Address at the Indiana Statehouse since being named Commissioner for higher education a year ago.
