Rep. Vernon Smith

Provides that a school's or school corporation's category or designation of school or school corporation performance assigned by the state board of education for the 2018-2019 school year may not be lower than the school's or school corporation's category or designation of school or school corporation performance for the 2017-2018 school year. Provides that a school's or school corporation's category or designation of school or school corporation performance assigned by the state board of education for the 2019-2020 school year is the higher of the school's or school corporation's: (1) category or designation of school or school corporation performance assigned for the 2018-2019 school year; or (2) category or designation of school or school corporation performance for the 2019-2020 school year. Provides that consequences for school improvement do not apply for the 2018-2019 or 2019-2020 school years. Provides that ILEARN program test scores or a school's category or designation of school improvement for the 2018-2019 or 2019-2020 school year may not be used by a school corporation as part of an annual performance evaluation of a particular certificated employee unless the use of the ILEARN program test scores or a school's category or designation of school improvement would improve the particular certificated employee's annual performance rating.

Provides that a person who: (1) has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence; and (2) knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm; commits possession of a firearm by a domestic batterer, a Class A misdemeanor. Provides certain defenses. Requires a court to issue an order, upon entry of a judgment of conviction for a crime of domestic battery or a crime of domestic violence, that: (1) prohibits ownership or possession of a firearm until the defendant's right to possess a firearm is restored; and (2) requires the defendant to surrender: (A) any firearm owned or possessed by the defendant; and (B) any license or permit to carry a handgun (license); to a law enforcement agency or law enforcement officer with jurisdiction over the area where the defendant's offense occurred, where the defendant resides, or where the defendant plans to reside. Requires a court to order an appropriate law enforcement agency or law enforcement officer to seize, within 72 hours, any firearm or license owned or possessed by a defendant convicted of domestic battery or a crime of domestic violence. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally fails to surrender: (1) all firearms owned or possessed by the person; or (2) any license possessed by the person; after being convicted of domestic battery or a crime of domestic violence commits unlawful retention of a firearm or license by a domestic batterer, a Class A misdemeanor. Enhances the offense to a Level 6 felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction for the offense. Provides certain defenses. Specifies how a confiscated firearm or valid license shall be: (1) returned to the rightful owner; or (2) disposed of; if a defendant's right to possess a firearm is restored. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments.

Provides that a school corporation may provide an increase or increment in a local salary range for a teacher who possesses a master's or doctorate degree.

Provides that a school corporation that meets certain conditions is not required to repay loans or advances made from the common school fund to the school corporation. Provides that the budget agency may approve deposit of funds reverted to the state general fund into the common school fund to offset loans or advances forgiven.

Raises the penalty from a Class C infraction to a Class B infraction if a person sells cigarettes other than in an unopened package. Raises the penalty from a Class C infraction to a Class B infraction if a person sells or distributes tobacco or an electronic cigarette to a person less than 18 years of age. Requires the alcohol and tobacco commission to revoke a tobacco sales certificate if a certificate holder has three violations after 2017 of certain tobacco offenses.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Prom Genie, Incorporated.