Rep. J.D. Prescott

Recognizing the importance of the Bible in history.

Establishes a commission to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Allows the secretary of family and social services (secretary) to issue a waiver of human services statutory provisions and administrative rules if the secretary determines that the waiver is necessary to claim certain enhanced federal matching funds available to the Medicaid program. Allows the secretary to issue an emergency declaration for purposes of participating in specified authorized federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments. Requires the secretary to prepare and submit any waivers or emergency declarations to the budget committee. Allows the state health commissioner of the state department of health or the commissioner's designated public health authority to issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least five years old (current law limits the age for the commissioner's issuance of standing orders, prescriptions, and protocols for individuals who are at least 11 years old). Defines "Indiana governmental entity" and specifies that an Indiana governmental entity (current law refers to a state or local unit) may not issue or require an immunization passport. Provides that an individual is not disqualified from unemployment benefits if the individual has complied with the requirements for seeking an exemption from an employer's COVID-19 immunization requirements and was discharged from employment for failing or refusing to receive an immunization against COVID-19. Provides that an employer may not impose a requirement that employees receive an immunization against COVID-19 unless the employer provides individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out of the requirement on the basis of medical reasons, religious reasons, or immunity from COVID-19 acquired from a prior infection with COVID-19.

Provides that, if the governing body of a school corporation has not established a curriculum advisory committee (committee), a parent of a student may request the governing body to determine the level of interest in and discuss establishing a committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the governing body. Provides that, if a committee has been established, a parent of a student may request that the committee review specific learning material and presentation content of guest speakers. Requires, not later than November 30, 2022, the department of education (department) to prepare and submit to the general assembly a report regarding certain committees established by governing bodies. Provides that, if a school corporation or qualified school uses a third party vendor in providing certain personal analyses, evaluations, or surveys, the third party vendor and the school corporation or qualified school may not record, collect, or maintain the responses to or results of the analysis, evaluation, or survey in a manner that would identify the responses or results of an individual student without consent. Amends a provision regarding good citizenship instruction. Provides that the consent requirements for certain student personal analysis, evaluations, or surveys apply even if the analysis, evaluation, or survey is directly related to academic instruction. Requires, not later than July 1, 2023, each qualified school to use a web based learning management system. Requires a teacher or other employee of a qualified school, upon request, to allow a parent to review any learning material. Provides that a school corporation or qualified school shall not promote certain concepts as part of a course of instruction or in a curriculum or instructional program, or allow teachers or other employees to use supplemental learning materials to promote certain concepts regarding sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or national origin. Requires requesting to meet with a teacher for certain complaints. Requires each school corporation or qualified school to establish a grievance procedures for certain complaints. Provides that, if a parent of a student or a student, if the student is an adult or emancipated minor, is not satisfied with a final decision, the parent or student may submit a request to the department to review the complaint and decision. Establishes a notice and consent procedure to be used before a qualified school may provide certain mental, social-emotional, or psychological health services to a student. Requires the department to establish guidance materials regarding certain provisions and post the guidance materials on the department's Internet web site. Urges legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying the following: (1) The provision of services for mental, social-emotional, or psychological health issues in public schools by licensed psychologists. school psychologists, social workers, or other employees of public schools. (2) Parental consent regarding the provision of the services.

Removes schools and certain public libraries from the list of entities eligible for a specified defense to criminal prosecutions alleging: (1) the dissemination of material harmful to minors; or (2) a performance harmful to minors. Adds colleges and universities to the list of entities eligible for a specified defense to criminal prosecutions alleging: (1) the dissemination of material harmful to minors; or (2) a performance harmful to minors.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Wednesday, February 16, 2022, as a day to honor the work and mission of the regions of the American Red Cross serving the state of Indiana.

Provides that a school corporation or charter school may not do the following: (1) Make available to a student who is enrolled in kindergarten through grade 5 any inappropriate sexual material. (2) Make available to a student who is enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 any sexually explicit material. Provides that, if a school corporation or public school uses a third party vendor in providing a personal analysis, evaluation, or survey that reveals or attempts to affect a student's attitudes, habits, traits, opinions, beliefs, or feelings, the third party vendor and the school corporation or public school may not collect or maintain the responses to or results of the analysis, evaluation, or survey in a manner that would identify the responses or results of an individual student. Provides that the consent requirements for certain student personal analysis, evaluations, or surveys apply even if the analysis, evaluation, or survey is directly related to academic instruction. Requires, not later than June 30, 2022, and not later than June 30 each year thereafter, each public school to post on the public school's Internet web site, in a manner that is accessible by the public, certain information regarding learning materials and educational activities. Requires the department of education (department) to develop and post on the department's Internet web site a model plan for presenting the learning material or educational activity information. Requires the governing body of a school corporation to: (1) create a learning materials advisory committee (committee) comprised of parents, teachers, administrators, and community members; and (2) establish and implement educational activities and curricular materials review, discussion, and recommendation procedures for the committee. Requires the department to post on the department's Internet web site certain materials that assist staff in developing cultural competency for use in providing professional development programs. Provides that: (1) a state agency, a school corporation, or a qualified school or an employee of the state agency, school corporation, or qualified school shall not direct or otherwise compel a school employee to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to; (2) a state agency, school corporation, or qualified school shall not include or promote concepts as part of a course of instruction or in a curriculum or instructional program, or allow teachers or other employees to use supplemental instruction materials that include or promote; or (3) teacher preparation programs shall not include or promote as part of a course of instruction or in a curriculum or instruction program, or allow faculty or other employees to use supplemental instructional materials that include or promote; certain tenets or concepts regarding sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, or political affiliation or any anti-American ideologies. Prohibits requiring an employee of a school corporation or qualified school to engage in training that presents certain stereotyping or blame. Provides a duty to ensure that students are free to express their own beliefs and viewpoints if engaged in certain activities. Establishes a complaint process and allows for certain civil actions for violations.

Provides that the rights set forth in the Indiana Constitution and the Indiana Code apply to a pre-born child as soon as the pre-born child's mother is aware she is pregnant. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION terminating the public health emergency first declared on March 6, 2020, in Executive Order 20-02.

Requires candidates for school board offices to be nominated in the same manner as candidates for all other elected offices are nominated, beginning after 2022. Provides that for school board offices elected in 2022, the political affiliation of each candidate, or the candidate's statement that the candidate is an independent candidate, must be stated on the ballot. Provides that the current statute relating to nomination of candidates for school board offices expires on January 1, 2023. Repeals other superseded statutes. Makes conforming changes.