Statehouse Update 13
Introduction
This week bills continued to move through the House and Senate committees and onto the chamber floors. Chamber activity has increased with second reading amendments and third reading votes. We are starting to see some committees conclude their meetings for this session as deadlines approach next week.
In addition, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery gave his first State of Higher Education address. During his remarks, he focused on the Commission’s long-term goals and strategic priorities in its HOPE – Hoosier Opportunities and Possibilities through Education- agenda. The Commissioner emphasized the importance of enrollment, completion and graduate retention as the key pillars of HOPE. He believed the culmination of effort in these pillars will allow Indiana to be a “top 10 state” in various categories surrounding higher education.
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 was amended passed out of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and has been reassigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
HB 1449: TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM Provides that the commission for higher education shall do the following: (1) In cooperation with the department of education, identify students who meet the requirements to participate in the twenty-first century scholars program (program). (2) Notify the student and the custodial parent or guardian of the student, if the student is an unemancipated minor, that: (A) the student is eligible to participate in the program; (B) the student must agree to the conditions required to participate in the program; and (C) the student has the right to opt out of the program at any time. HB 1449 passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and will head to the Senate floor for consideration on second readings.
HB 1511: HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND COST EXEMPTIONS Provides that money in the National Guard tuition supplement program fund and the National Guard scholarship extension fund may not be expended, removed, or transferred from the respective fund except to be used for the purposes of the respective fund. Provides that an eligible applicant for: (1) a scholarship under the National Guard tuition supplement program; or (2) an educational cost exemption or award; may apply for a scholarship, exemption, or award to attend a state educational institution or an approved postsecondary educational institution under certain conditions. HB 1558 passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and will head to the Senate floor for consideration on second readings.
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 amended passed out of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and has been reassigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bills
SB 167: FAFSA Requires all students, except for students at certain nonpublic schools, in the student's senior year to complete and submit the FAFSA not later than April 15 unless: (1) a parent of a student or a student, if the student is an emancipated minor, signs a waiver that the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it; or (2) the principal or school counselor of the student's high school waives the requirement for a group of students due to the principal or school counselor being unable to reach the parents or guardians of the students by April 15 after at least two reasonable attempts to contact the parents or guardians. Requires that the: (1) model notice prepared by the commission for higher education; and (2) notice that each school corporation is required to send regarding the FAFSA; include information regarding the requirements and exceptions for completing the FAFSA. Expires certain requirements on June 30, 2033. Makes a conforming change and technical corrections. SB 167 was concurred on House amendments by the Senate.
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 was concurred in House amendments by the Senate.
SB 404: ACCESS TO TRANSCRIPTS Provides that a state educational institution or private postsecondary educational institution operated for profit (institution) in Indiana may not: (1) refuse to provide a transcript for a current or former student of the institution on the grounds that the student owes a debt to the institution; (2) charge a higher fee for obtaining a transcript or provide less favorable treatment of a request for a transcript of a current or former student who owes a debt to the institution; or (3) withhold from a current or former student's transcript any degrees earned on the grounds that the student owes a debt to the institution; if the student has paid certain amounts in the past year on the debt owed. Provides that a current or former student may bring a civil action against an institution for a violation of these provisions. SB 404 was concurred in House amendments by the Senate.
Looking Ahead
Next week is the last week of committee activity before the deadlines which are April 11 and April 13 for the House and Senate respectively. This will mean that by Thursday the Senate majority will release their version of House Bill 1001, the state budget. All bills that do not make it out of committee by each chamber’s deadlines will be considered dead and will no longer be eligible for consideration this legislative session. Additionally, the House second reading deadline is set for Thursday, April 13, so all bills must go through second reading amendments and engrossment before receiving a third reading vote the following week.
