Sen. Jeff Raatz

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.

Establishes the Indiana passenger rail commission to do the following: (1) Facilitate development and implementation of improvements to intercity passenger rail service in Indiana and the Midwest. (2) Coordinate interaction among federal, state, and local elected officials relating to passenger rail issues. (3) Facilitate development and implementation of long range plans for modern passenger rail service in Indiana and the Midwest. (4) Coordinate public and private sectors at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure cooperation among the various entities having an interest in passenger rail service and promote Indiana interests regarding passenger rail service. (5) Facilitate the efforts of the Indiana department of transportation and other transportation agencies involved in developing and implementing passenger rail service in Indiana and the Midwest.

Allows a prescriber to issue an initial prescription of an opioid for more than a seven day supply if the patient has chronic intractable pain.

Provides that a student who withdraws from school after completing grade 10 may not be included in a school's graduation rate if the student's parent submits to the school the following statements while the student is enrolled in grade 8: (1) A statement from the parent affirming that the parent has a sincerely held religious belief against the taking of a photograph and that the student will be withdrawing from school after completing grade 10 in order to complete a career pathway certification or due to the parent's deeply held religious belief. (2) A statement from a member of the clergy of the religious organization of which the parent is a member regarding the prohibition of photography of members of the religious organization. Requires at least one parent of the student to provide proof that the parent has been issued a photo exempt driver's license or identification card.

Requires a teacher preparation program to include content within the curriculum that: (1) prepares teacher candidates to use evidenced based trauma informed classroom instruction and recognition of social, emotional, and behavioral reactions to trauma that may interfere with a student's academic functioning; and (2) provides information on certain applicable Indiana laws. Requires a teacher preparation program to consider using certain curricula pertaining to student trauma.

Makes changes to the membership of the governor's workforce cabinet. Requires the governor's workforce cabinet to work with stakeholders from early learning through the workforce to establish alignment and coordination between the early learning advisory committee, state board of education (state board), commission for higher education, and department of workforce development.

Provides that a student meets the residency requirements for enrollment at a public school if a parent of the student: (1) is transferred to or is pending transfer to a military installation within Indiana while on active duty pursuant to an official military order; and (2) submits to the public school certain information, including official documentation, as determined by the state board of education, regarding the transfer or pending transfer. Provides that the student is considered to have legal settlement in the attendance area of the school corporation in which the parent: (1) has submitted the required application and documentation; and (2) intends to reside. Requires a parent who is transferred to or is pending transfer to a military installation within Indiana to provide proof of residence to the public school not later than 10 instructional days after the arrival date provided on the required documentation. Provides that if the parent of the student fails to provide the proof of residence, the public school may exclude the student from attendance pending an expulsion proceeding. Makes the following changes to provisions concerning resident tuition rate eligibility for active duty armed forces personnel and dependents of active duty armed forces personnel: (1) Defines "dependent". (2) Amends the definition of "qualified course". (3) Provides that spouses of active duty armed forces personnel are eligible for the resident tuition rate. (4) Provides that spouses and dependents of active duty armed forces personnel are eligible, from the date that the state educational institution accepts the spouse or dependent for enrollment, for the resident tuition rate if the spouse or dependent enrolls in the state educational institution within a certain amount of time. (5) Provides that a dependent or spouse of a person who serves on active duty in the armed forces is eligible for the resident tuition rate for the duration of the spouse's or dependent's continuous enrollment at a state educational institution regardless of whether the person serving on active duty continues, after the spouse or dependent is accepted for enrollment in the state educational institution, to satisfy certain resident rate tuition eligibility criteria.

Prohibits an employer from requiring a candidate for employment or an employee to have a device implanted or otherwise incorporated into the candidate's or employee's body as a condition of employment, as a condition of employment in a particular position, or as a condition of receiving additional compensation or benefits.

Removes the requirement that a school corporation's annual performance evaluation plan must be based, in part, on objective measures of student achievement. Authorizes the state board of education to adopt emergency rules. Makes conforming amendments. Makes technical corrections.

Makes changes to the: (1) definition of "eligible secondary school student"; and (2) requirements regarding agreements between the commission for higher education (commission) and eligible employers; for purposes of the employment aid readiness network (EARN) Indiana program. Makes changes to the name of the "return and complete" project. Makes changes to the definitions regarding the project, including repealing definitions regarding the return and complete project. Requires the commission to: (1) collect and maintain certain information regarding the project; and (2) submit a report to the general assembly and governor regarding the information. Provides that money in the graduate medical education fund does not revert to any other fund. (Current law provides that money in the graduate medical education fund does not revert to the state general fund.) Repeals provisions that do the following: (1) Require state educational institutions to report annually to the commission regarding return and complete students. (2) Expire the return and complete project provisions.