SB 373 Indiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Various education matters.

Summary

Provides that the department of education (department) is the proper authority to accept federal funds appropriated to aid in the education of children with disabilities (current law provides that the state board of education is the proper authority). Removes the member of the Indiana Transportation Association from the list of nonvoting members on the state school bus committee. Provides that an individual seeking an initial practitioners license through an alternative certification path must successfully complete an applicable teacher licensing exam as approved by the state board of education (board) (current law requires the successful completion of a Praxis Subject Assessment). Provides that summer school funding may be differentiated based on the course or length of time of the program. Moves the establishment of the division of special education from the board to the department. Changes certain duties for the secretary of education and the director of special education. Provides that the department may suspend or terminate the certification of a scholarship granting organization if the department establishes that the organization has not granted a scholarship within certain time frames.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Senate Bill (S) → Senate Bill (H) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill shifts authority for accepting federal special education funds from the state board of education to the department of education. It also establishes a new process for evaluating and approving high-quality curricular materials in STEM subjects, modifies teacher licensing requirements for alternative certification paths, and adjusts the composition of the state school bus committee by removing one nonvoting member.

Scope change

The bill expands the department of education's authority over special education funding and curricular material approval, while narrowing the state school bus committee's advisory membership.

FISCAL

Transfers authority to accept federal special education funds from the state board of education to the department of education.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the department of education to evaluate and publish a list of high-quality curricular materials in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Changes teacher licensing exam requirements for alternative certification paths from a specific Praxis Subject Assessment to any applicable exam approved by the state board of education.

SCOPE

Removes the member of the Indiana Transportation Association from the list of nonvoting members on the state school bus committee.

TIMELINE

Updates effective dates and procedural timelines for various provisions, including curricular material evaluation requirements.

Engrossed Senate Bill (S) → Enrolled Senate Bill (S) · 12 edits · May 6, 2025

MAJOR

This bill transitions authority for accepting federal special education funds from the state board of education to the department of education, establishes new pilot programs for centralized school facilities and student transportation, creates local boards to oversee these pilots, and updates teacher licensing requirements for alternative certification paths. The changes matter because they centralize federal fund management, introduce new pilot programs to improve school infrastructure and transportation, and modernize teacher training standards.

Scope change

Authority for accepting federal special education funds shifted from the state board of education to the department of education. New pilot programs for centralized school facilities and student transportation were added, along with a mastery-based education pilot program.

FISCAL

Authority to accept federal funds for children with disabilities moved from the state board of education to the department of education.

REQUIREMENT

Established a three-year centralized school facilities pilot program allowing up to three applications selected by the department.

Established a three-year student transportation pilot program allowing up to three applications selected by the department.

Created local centralized school facilities board and local student transportation board with specific powers and duties.

Added mastery-based education pilot program administered by the department with application eligibility for school corporations and charter schools.

Updated alternative teacher certification requirements to include successful completion of an applicable teacher licensing exam approved by the state board instead of just the Praxis Subject Assessment.

Added requirements for alternative certification programs to include evidence-based trauma-informed instruction and science of reading alignment.

Established the Indianapolis local education alliance to conduct school facilities assessments and create implementation plans.

Removed the Indiana Transportation Association member from the state school bus committee nonvoting members list.

Added requirement that evaluation of curricular materials must include age appropriateness of content.

Moved establishment of the division of special education from the state board to the department of education.

Added provision allowing summer school funding to be differentiated based on course and program length.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 28, 2025 · House Apr 15, 2025

How they voted

49–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 50

Jan 28, 2025

D Democratic10

9 Yea 1

90% Yea

R Republican40

40 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 549: yeas 91, nays 0

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President Pro Tempore

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 508: yeas 31, nays 19

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

Senate dissented from House amendments

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 448: yeas 76, nays 20

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Amended

Amendment #1 (Ireland) motion withdrawn

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amendment #4 (Behning) prevailed; Division of the House: yeas 66, nays 27

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amendment #5 (Behning) prevailed; voice vote

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Amended

Amendment #2 (DeLaney) failed; Roll Call 437: yeas 27, nays 66

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amendment #3 (Behning) prevailed; voice vote

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 31: yeas 49, nays 0

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors