Sen. Jeff Raatz

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Jon Ford upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.

Requires each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic elementary school to include cursive writing in its curriculum. Provides that a school corporation may include instruction regarding Internet safety in the school corporation's curriculum. Requires the department of education to develop, or approve previously developed, age appropriate curricula in Internet safety for use at multiple grade levels not later than July 1, 2025. Amends requirements regarding: (1) eligibility for career coaching grants; and (2) instruction on career awareness. Repeals a provision that provides that each school corporation may include cursive writing in the school corporation's curriculum.

Defines "governing authority" of a school. Defines "school" as a school maintained by a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school. Provides that, if a school instructs students on human sexuality, the school's governing authority must first approve and publish certain information concerning the instruction in a conspicuous place on the website of the school, and requires a school to provide a direct link to that information in a school's written request for consent for instruction on human sexuality. Prohibits a school from using learning materials for instruction on human sexuality unless approved by the school's governing authority.

Allows a principal or superintendent of a public school, including a charter school, to employ, or approve as a volunteer, a school chaplain if certain requirements are met. Provides that a school chaplain may only provide secular support to a student or an employee of the school unless permission is given by: (1) the student receiving services if the student is an emancipated minor or adult; (2) the employee of the school receiving services; or (3) a parent of the student and the student receiving services if the student is an unemancipated minor; to provide nonsecular support. Provides that a school chaplain is not required to divulge privileged or confidential communications with a student under certain circumstances. Provides that a school chaplain and a school counselor are subject to duties to report or disclose certain information.

Allows the prosecution of Level 3 felony rape and child molesting offenses to be commenced at any time. Makes conforming changes.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring the members of the South Bend Fire Department for their bravery and heroic actions while responding to a house fire.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring the members of the South Bend Fire Department for their bravery and heroic actions while responding to a house fire.

Authorizes a person to remove debris from a stream under certain conditions without the need to obtain a permit from the department of natural resources.

Provides that a governmental entity may not substantially burden certain parental rights unless the burden is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering the governmental interest. Prohibits a governmental entity from: (1) advising, directing, or coercing a child to withhold certain information from the child's parent; or (2) denying a child's parent access to certain information. Allows a parent to bring an action against a governmental entity for certain violations and provides for certain relief. Specifies that the parent of a child does not have a right to access certain medical care on behalf of the child if the child does not have an affirmative right of access to such medical care.

Prohibits the state from discriminating against adoption agencies, foster parents, or adoptive parents on the basis of religious beliefs. Defines certain terms. Waives sovereign immunity for purposes of the prohibition, except that state courts retain immunity. Allows suit under these provisions without exhausting administrative remedies. Provides for a private right of action and civil remedies.