Sen. Jean Leising

Removes the topic of the department of education's responsibility for licensing teachers from the list of statutes that the legislative council is urged to assign to a study committee during the 2021 legislative interim. Removes the topic of high ability students (including high ability curriculum) from the list of statutes that the legislative council is urged to assign to a study committee during the 2021 legislative interim. Adds certain education topics to the list of statutes that the legislative council is urged to assign to a study committee during the 2023 legislative interim. Removes an expired proposed study topic.

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.

Establishes a procedure for the general assembly to call itself into session at times not specifically scheduled in statute. Provides that: (1) the initial state of disaster emergency may not continue longer than 30 days following the initial date of the declaration; and (2) a state of disaster emergency may not be renewed or extended by the governor without the approval of the general assembly. Provides that if the governor calls a special session, the special session shall be limited only to consideration of the purpose for which the initial state of disaster emergency was declared.

Renames the judicial nominating commission as the commission on judicial nominations and qualifications. Provides that one commission member is selected by attorneys licensed in Indiana, one commission member is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one commission member is appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate. Requires that, of the three members appointed by the governor, at least one commission member must be an attorney. Prohibits a person who is a lobbyist from serving on the commission. Provides for the governor to fill a vacancy on the supreme court or the court of appeals from nominees recommended by the commission, subject to confirmation by the senate. Provides that a justice of the supreme court or a judge of the court of appeals serves until July 1 of the tenth year after the justice's or judge's appointment is confirmed by the senate or the justice's or judge's retention in office is confirmed by the house of representatives. Provides that if a justice or judge wants to serve a new term, the justice or judge must apply to the house of representatives for retention. Specifies that a judge or justice will be retained, unless: (1) the judge or justice does not apply to the house of representatives for retention; or (2) at least 60% of the members of the house of representatives vote against retention. Amends the provisions concerning impeachment proceedings for a justice or judge. Provides a transition for justices and judges serving at the time of the adoption of these amendments to the constitution. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

Establishes essential family caregiver status. Requires each health facility and residential care facility (facility) to permit visitation by an essential family caregiver (caregiver) despite restricted visitation during compassionate care situations. Specifies certain eligibility requirements for caregiver status. Allows the administrator of a facility or the administrator's designee, as applicable, to determine whether or not to award caregiver status to a selected individual. Requires consideration of specified conditions when a request for caregiver status is being evaluated. Requires a resident to request or approve of any awarded caregiver designation. Allows a resident to revoke caregiver status from an individual at any time. Requires particularized rules applicable to a caregiver to be communicated to the caregiver by the applicable facility. Requires certain policies concerning caregiver status to be memorialized in writing. Entitles each resident of a facility to at least one caregiver. Directs the state department of health (state department) to adopt rules concerning the enforcement of visitation by caregivers. Specifies that a facility has the burden of proof when justifying a denial of visitation to a caregiver. Provides that a facility is immune from civil liability for any act or omission related to the implementation of a procedure or policy concerning visitation by a caregiver in certain instances. Specifies an exception. Defines certain terms.

Requires each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic elementary school to include cursive writing in its curriculum.

Extends by three years the expiration date of the statute under which the department of education may issue emergency communication disorder permits.

Establishes the rural school ILEARN administration pilot program (program). Provides that the state board of education (state board), in consultation with the department of education (department), may approve not more than 20 rural elementary schools to participate in the program. Requires the department to review the correlation between a student's lack of access to the Internet or computer technology and the online administration of the statewide assessment and, on or before November 1, 2023, submit its findings to the legislative council and publish the findings on its Internet web site. Provides that the program expires July 1, 2031.

Changes the definition of "accredited veterinary technology program" to include a veterinary nursing program. Makes various changes to how a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is established. Provides that a veterinarian and a registered veterinary technician must complete a required number of hours of continuing education each renewal period. Provides that a veterinarian may extend the veterinarian-client-patient relationship to another veterinarian. Provides that a veterinarian shall reasonably assure confidentiality is maintained when a veterinarian initiates communication to a client under a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Provides that the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship does not require a veterinarian to provide treatment to a patient.

Provides a tax credit for taxpayers that own fueling stations that sell higher ethanol blend for motor vehicles. Provides that the amount of the credit is five cents per gallon of higher ethanol blend sold at the taxpayer's fueling station.