SB 482 Indiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Absenteeism and student discipline.

Summary

Defines "chronically absent". Requires the department of education (department) to do the following: (1) Create a list of best practices to reduce student discipline and absenteeism. (2) Study and prepare a report regarding the basis for the categorization of certain suspensions and expulsions. (3) Establish a categorization framework for excused absences based on the reason for the absence. (4) Collect certain information regarding absences from school corporations and charter schools and prepare and post a report regarding the information on the department's website. Provides that the absence policy adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must provide for the categorization of excused absences in accordance with the categorization framework established by the department. Allows a prosecuting attorney to conduct a meeting, collaborate, and make reasonable efforts to secure appropriate support services for a child and the child's family before filing an affidavit with regard to a violation of compulsory school attendance requirements. Amends the definition of "absent student" for purposes of the truancy prevention policy provisions. Requires a public school to hold an attendance conference not later than 10 instructional days (instead of five instructional days) after the student's fifth absence. Prohibits a public school from expelling or suspending a student solely because the student is chronically absent or a habitual truant.

Issues: ✓ Education

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

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

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope from solely addressing absenteeism to also addressing student discipline issues. The changes include adding requirements to study the basis for certain suspensions and expulsions, creating a list of best practices to reduce both absenteeism and discipline problems, and modifying how reports are shared with the public.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened to include student discipline (suspensions and expulsions) alongside absenteeism, and the reporting requirements were modified to include posting reports on the department's website rather than only submitting to the legislative council.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the department's duties from establishing a framework to distinguish between excused and unexcused absences to creating a list of best practices to reduce student discipline and absenteeism, and studying the basis for certain suspensions and expulsions.

Added a requirement for the department to study the basis for student suspensions and expulsions categorized as 'other' by school corporations and submit a report with recommendations by November 1, 2025.

Changed the reporting requirement for absence data from submitting a report to the legislative council to posting the report on the department's website.

Modified the categorization framework requirement to focus specifically on excused absences rather than distinguishing between excused and unexcused absences.

TIMELINE

Modified the reporting timeline for the suspension/expulsion study report to be submitted by November 1, 2025, with the section expiring July 1, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 4, 2025 · House Apr 15, 2025

How they voted

49–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 50

Feb 4, 2025

D Democratic10

10 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican40

39 Yea 1

97% 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

Upper · Passed

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 511: yeas 48, nays 2

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President Pro Tempore

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 539: yeas 84, nays 8

lower

Apr 21, 2025

Introduced

Senate dissented from House amendments

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Introduced

Senate dissented from House amendments

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 456: yeas 82, nays 15

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 77: yeas 49, nays 0

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

upper

3 primary · 2 co-sponsors