Rep. Bob Behning

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (HR 53), not a policy bill. It formally recognizes "the importance of repentance" without creating new laws, funding, or regulations. The resolution was introduced by Rep. King and 20 co-sponsors, and referred to the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code for review. It does not directly affect any specific group or alter existing legal mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 55 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Dr. Robert Taylor for his retirement from the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents. It directly recognizes Dr. Taylor's service but does not create any new laws or affect policies. The bill was introduced by Representatives Behning, Huston, Davis, McGuire, Teshka, and Thompson and passed its first reading on April 15, 2025. As a symbolic measure, it has no substantive policy impact.

Adds members to the Indiana state board of nursing and changes the required qualifications for certain members. Amends the requirements that an individual applying for a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse must meet. Provides that an applicant for a state accredited program of practical nursing (program) is not required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Requires a student of the program to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before completing the program.

Provides that if a prescriber issues a prescription for an opioid for administration through an intrathecal pump or epidural pain pump: (1) the prescription may not exceed a 180 day supply; and (2) the patient may not be required to have a face-to-face visit with the prescriber more than once every 180 days unless the prescriber determines an earlier follow up visit is medically necessary.

Provides that a local public question or referendum may be placed on the ballot only at a general election. Provides that: (1) a state public question; or (2) an election of delegates to a convention to consider ratifying an amendment to the United States Constitution; may be placed on the ballot only at a general election.

Provides that all school corporations that adopt a resolution for a property tax levy for a controlled project or a school safety referendum tax levy after May 10, 2025, must share revenue received from the levy with certain charter schools. Specifies, for purposes of making distributions to charter schools from a property tax levy for a controlled project, that only charter schools located within the attendance area of the school corporation shall receive a distribution of revenue from that levy and requires such a charter school to establish a separate account to deposit the revenue. Requires all school corporations to share revenue received from a debt service levy with certain charter schools. Requires all school corporations that adopt a resolution for an operating referendum tax levy after May 10, 2025, to share revenue received from the levy with certain charter schools. Requires, beginning with distributions in 2028, that all school corporations begin sharing revenue from the school corporation's operations fund levy with certain charter schools. Provides for the phasing in of the sharing of revenue with certain charter schools from the school corporation's operations fund levy. Excludes school corporations meeting specified criteria from the sharing of property tax revenue received under the bill's provisions. Provides a calculation for determining the amount of an annual grant from the charter and innovation network school grant program based on the amount of property tax revenue received by a charter school from school corporations. Provides for the appointment of additional board members to the governing board of a charter school that receives property tax revenue. Sets forth additional procedures related to the closure of a charter school. Makes conforming changes.

Establishes a new teacher appreciation grant program. Removes and repeals certain requirements concerning staff performance evaluations. Repeals the current teacher appreciation grant provisions. Makes conforming changes.

Requires a public school to do the following: (1) Notify a parent of a student not later than 24 hours after the student makes an allegation that an employee of the public school engaged in misconduct. (2) If the public school determines that an allegation is unsubstantiated or otherwise dismissed, provide written notification to the employee and parent of the student not later than 14 days after the determination. Amends the definition of "bullying". Provides that certain discipline rules adopted by the governing body of a school corporation include timetables for reporting of bullying incidents to the parents of both the targeted student and the alleged perpetrator not later than one business day after the incident is reported. (Current law provides reporting of bullying incidents not later than five business days after the incident is reported.) Requires the governing body of a school corporation to: (1) require a school corporation to determine the severity of an incident of bullying and whether the incident may warrant transfer of the victim or the alleged perpetrator to another school in the school corporation; and (2) require a school corporation to approve the transfer of a victim or the alleged perpetrator of an act of bullying to another school in the school corporation under certain circumstances.

Maddy summaryHCR 26 is a ceremonial resolution designating Tuesday, March 4, 2025, as a day to honor the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is a symbolic recognition without binding effect. The resolution was introduced by Representative Clere and has been referred to committees, but it will not change how the Red Cross operates or impact any residents. This type of resolution is common for acknowledging organizations' community contributions.

Defines "chronically absent". Requires the department of education (department) to do the following: (1) Create a list of best practices to reduce student discipline and chronic absenteeism. (2) Study and prepare a report regarding the basis for the categorization of certain suspensions and expulsions. (3) Establish a categorization framework to distinguish between excused and unexcused absences based on the reason for the absence. (4) Collect certain information regarding absences from school corporations and charter schools. (5) Prepare and post a report regarding the information on the department's website. Provides that the absence policy adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must provide for the categorization of excused and unexcused absences in accordance with the categorization framework established by the department. Allows a prosecuting attorney to conduct a meeting, collaborate, and make reasonable efforts to secure appropriate support services for a child and the child's family before filing an affidavit with regard to a violation of compulsory school attendance requirements. Requires a public school to hold an attendance conference not later than 10 instructional days (instead of five instructional days) after the student's fifth absence. Prohibits a public school from expelling or suspending a student solely because the student is chronically absent or a habitual truant.