Rep. Tony Cook

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Hoosier Direct Support Professionals.

Allows a member of a governing body of a political subdivision to participate in a meeting electronically subject to the following: (1) Requires the governing body to adopt a written policy establishing procedures for electronic participation. (2) Requires the technology to permit simultaneous communication between members and the public to attend and observe the proceedings. (3) Requires at least 50% of the members to be physically present at the meeting site. (4) Allows a member participating electronically to be counted for quorum purposes. (5) Provides that a member participating electronically may participate in a final action taken by the governing body only if the member can be seen and heard. Exempts governing bodies of state agencies that have a majority of members with disabilities from certain attendance requirements. Provides that if a statute requires a manual signature for attesting or authenticating an obligation issued by certain state and local public entities, an electronic signature has the same force and effect as a manual signature. Adds provisions applicable to state and local public agencies when a state or local disaster emergency is declared. Makes stylistic changes.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION memorializing Martin "Marty" J. Meyers.

Requires the state board of education (state board) to adopt administrative rules to allow an organization to provide credit under a Core 40 curriculum model for alternative programs in which students obtain credit counting toward the student's graduation requirements from nonschool educational experience that applies or incorporates content area knowledge in lieu of a required or elective course in the Core 40 curriculum model.

Changes the eligibility requirements for the next generation Hoosier educators scholarship and provides that a student may qualify for the scholarship by achieving a cumulative grade point average upon graduation of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 grading scale during grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Requires the commission for higher education to give priority to an individual who is: (1) a recent high school graduate; (2) pursuing a teacher shortage area; (3) showing significant financial need; or (4) a member of a household with an annual income of not more than the amount required for the individual to qualify for the free or reduced price lunch program as determined for the immediately preceding taxable year. Provides that the National Guard tuition supplement program may be used by a scholarship applicant for graduate credits.

Provides that sudden cardiac arrest information sheets currently required to be provided by each school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school to a parent of an applicable student must include: (1) the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest; and (2) information about electrocardiogram testing. Adds definition of "applicable student". Makes changes to the definition of "athletic activity". Provides that the department of education (department) must maintain guidelines, information sheets, or forms on the department's Internet web site. Provides that, if an applicable student is suspected, as determined by a game official, coach from the student athlete's team, certified athletic trainer, marching band leader, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed physician, or other official designated by the student athlete's school entity, of experiencing a symptom of sudden cardiac arrest in a practice for an athletic activity or in an athletic activity, the applicable student shall be removed from practice or play at the time that the symptom is identified. (Current law provides that, if a student athlete is suspected of experiencing a symptom of sudden cardiac arrest in a practice for an athletic activity or in an athletic activity, the student athlete shall be removed from practice or play at the time that the symptom is identified.) Allows a licensed athletic trainer, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse to evaluate whether an applicable student is experiencing a symptom of sudden cardiac arrest. Requires that an applicable student may not return to practice or play until the coach, marching band leader, or other official designated by the applicable student's school entity has: (1) provided information to the applicable student's parent about sudden cardiac arrest; and (2) received verbal permission from a parent of the applicable student that the applicable student may return to practice and play. Requires a coach, marching band leader, or certain other leaders, in a manner and frequency determined by the state board of education, to complete the sudden cardiac arrest training course offered by a provider approved by the department. Provides that a coach, marching band leader, and certain other extracurricular activity leader who completes the course and provides coaching or other leadership services in good faith is not personally liable for damages in a civil action as a result of a sudden cardiac arrest incurred by an applicable student participating in an athletic activity for which the coach, marching band leader, or other leader provided coaching or leadership services, except for an act or omission by the coach, marching band leader, or other extracurricular activity leader that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. Makes technical corrections (a legal guardian is included in the definition of a parent in IC 20).

Specifies that the bill is severable. Provides that the general assembly may convene in an emergency session if the legislative council adopts a resolution making certain findings concerning a state of emergency declared by the governor. Specifies the maximum length of an emergency session. Provides that in an emergency session the general assembly may enact only bills relating to the agenda stated in the legislative council's resolution. Provides that the general assembly may adopt concurrent resolutions and each house may adopt simple resolutions during an emergency session. Establishes the legislative state of emergency advisory group. Creates the economic stimulus fund (ESF) for the deposit of all discretionary funds received by the state. Defines "discretionary funds" to mean federal economic stimulus funds received under federal legislation granting the state authority to determine the amounts and manner in which the federal economic stimulus funds may be expended. Provides that discretionary funds deposited into the ESF during a period in which the general assembly is convened in a regular session, an emergency session, or a special session may not be allotted or expended unless appropriated by the general assembly or reviewed by the budget committee. Provides that before discretionary funds deposited into the ESF during a period in which the general assembly is not convened in a regular session, an emergency session, or a special session may be allotted to or expended by a state agency or instrumentality, the allotment or expenditure must be reviewed by the budget committee. Provides that discretionary funds deposited into the ESF may not be expended, transferred, assigned, or otherwise removed from the ESF by the state board of finance, the budget agency, or any other state agency except as permitted under the provisions of the statute. Exempts federal economic stimulus funds obligated or expended before April 29, 2021, from the application of the statute. Provides that a violation of the disaster statute (IC 10-14-3) or an order authorized by that statute is a Class B infraction instead of a Class B misdemeanor.

Authorizes certain guardians to make certain arrangements and control the disposition of a decedent's body subsequent to the death of a protected person. Makes conforming amendments.

Requires, not later than July 1, 2022, the state board of education, in coordination with the department of education, to establish standards for civics education. Establishes the: (1) Indiana civic education commission; and (2) duties of the commission. Provides that each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall require each student to successfully complete in grade 6, 7, or 8 one semester of a civics education course. Provides that the civics education standards in effect on July 2, 2022, may only be changed by the express authorization of the general assembly.

Honoring healthcare workers for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.