HB 1098 Indiana House · 2026 Regular Session

Work based learning liability.

Summary

Requires an intermediary and an employer to enter into an agreement that sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the intermediary and the employer when participating in a work based learning program. Repeals provisions relating to the federal School to Work Opportunities Act under the worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation laws. Provides that, subject to certain limitations, a student who performs services for an employer as part of a work based learning program is entitled to benefits under the worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation laws. Provides that any underwriting decision made by an insurer or rating factor applied to a participant must be based on objective risk based criteria that are applied uniformly and without regard to the age of the student to be covered under the policy.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 5, 2026 Signed Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Bill (S) → House Bill (H) · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to rename the new chapter from 'Work Based Learning Intermediaries' to 'Agreements with Work Based Learning Employers,' shifting the focus from intermediary organizations to the agreements between employers and students. The definition of 'work based learning program' was expanded to explicitly include apprenticeships, modern youth apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and work-based learning courses, while adding specific exclusions for virtual programs and one-time visits. Crucially, the requirement for written agreements was broadened to include industry talent associations and schools, and the bill now mandates that employers assume responsibility for obtaining workers' compensation insurance for participating students.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include industry talent associations and schools as entities required to enter into written agreements with employers, and it now explicitly covers a wider range of training programs including apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.

DEFINITION

The chapter title was changed to reflect a focus on agreements with employers rather than intermediaries.

A new definition for 'school' was added to clarify that it includes both school corporation schools and charter schools.

ELIGIBILITY

The definition of 'work based learning program' was expanded to include apprenticeships, modern youth apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and work-based learning courses.

REQUIREMENT

New exclusions were added to the definition of 'work based learning program' to exclude virtual programs and activities like field trips that do not involve ongoing work responsibilities.

The entities required to enter into written agreements with employers were expanded to include industry talent associations and schools, in addition to intermediaries.

The bill now explicitly requires employers to assume responsibility for obtaining workers' compensation insurance for students in these programs.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026 · House Jan 28, 2026

How they voted

43–1

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Feb 19, 2026

D Democratic9

8 Yea 1

88% Yea

R Republican40

35 Yea 1 Nay 4

87% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 3, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President Pro Tempore

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 361: yeas 79, nays 0

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 200: yeas 44, nays 1

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 146: yeas 89, nays 0

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

lower

3 primary · 4 co-sponsors