Bills continued to move through committees in both houses this week, including HB1007 and SB54, the public health grants program and FAFSA bill respectively. Some bills, like HB1006 and HB1082, await the Governor’s signature. Others, however, have received hearings but not yet advanced; SB205, which has seen drastic changes throughout the session, is among them. On Thursday morning, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard presentations from various state agencies. These presentations aim to shape the Committee’s ongoing deliberations over the proposed biennial budget.
House Bills
HB 1001: State Budget
Heard in Senate Appropriations
The House version of the budget restores the funding in FY 2022 for higher education operating and line item appropriations after the 7% cut made by the state in FY 2021. In FY 2023, the budget includes a total of 7% performance funding with 2% new dollars and 5% reallocated dollars. The House budget, like the Governor’s recommended budget, restores dual credit funding at $50 per credit hour. Additionally, the House budget, again like the Governor’s recommended budget, does not provide any new dollars for higher education capital projects nor for Repair and Rehabilitation (R&R) projects.
HB 1006: Law Enforcement Officers
Signed by the Speaker of the House
The bill requires the Indiana law enforcement training board to establish mandatory training in de-escalation and establishes a procedure to allow the Indiana law enforcement training board to decertify an officer who has committed misconduct. The bill also specifies that a law enforcement officer who turns off a body worn camera with the intent to conceal a criminal act commits a Class A misdemeanor.
HB 1007: State Health Improvement and Grant Program
Passed out of Senate Appropriations 12-0
The bill requires the State Department of Health, in consultation with the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services, to study and prepare a plan to improve the health and behavioral health of Indiana residents. The bill also establishes a grant program and fund for preventing and addressing health issues and challenges.
HB 1082: High Tech Crimes Unit Program
Signed by the Speaker of the House
The bill establishes a fund for the purpose of creating high tech crimes units that collectively represent the north, south, east, west, and central geographic areas of Indiana to enhance the ability of prosecuting attorneys to investigate, collect evidence, and prosecute high tech crimes.
HB 1384: Civics Education
Motion to concur with Senate amendments filed
The bill requires that the state board of education, in coordination with the department of education, establish standards for civics education and provides that each school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall require each student to successfully complete in grade 6, 7, or 8 one semester of a civics education course.
Senate Bills
SB 54: FAFSA Awards
Passed out of House Ways and Means 21-1
The bill provides that a school corporation may receive a FAFSA completion improvement award and establishes a formula for calculating the award amount.
SB 101: Education and Higher Education Matters
Signed by the Speaker of the House
The bill deems a student who is at least 17 years of age to have full legal capacity to enter into a contract for a Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship. The bill also amends requirements regarding the development of a student's graduation plan.
SB 205: Teacher Training
Heard in House Education
The bill requires applicants for an initial teacher's license to provide evidence that the applicant has successfully completed education and training in trauma informed instruction and the recognition of signs that a student may be reacting to trauma. The bill also requires that teacher preparation programs include a curriculum that instructs teachers about social emotional learning practices that are helpful in supporting students who have experienced trauma.