Education

HB 1418 exempts certain individuals seeking their first teaching license (initial practitioner license) from specific licensing requirements. The bill directly affects new educators entering the profession, particularly those who may qualify for the exemption under its provisions. It provides a streamlined pathway for these individuals by removing certain mandatory steps in the initial licensing process. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee after its introduction and referral on January 8, 2026.

Requires a public school, including a charter school, to teach the Bible as literature. Prohibits a governmental entity from denying benefits to any person on the basis of: (1) Article 1, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana; (2) separation of church and state; or (3) the establishment clause; and establishes certain exceptions. Permits a person adversely affected by a violation to file a civil action against the governmental entity. Authorizes a: (1) prevailing plaintiff in a suit brought against a governmental entity; and (2) prevailing party, in a suit brought by a governmental entity; to obtain court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.

Permits a school corporation to establish a youth peer support program (program). Requires a program to: (1) be developed in consultation with one or more local mental health organizations serving the school's geographic area; (2) utilize evidence based training models approved by the department of education; (3) include written referral protocols to school based and community based mental health services; (4) provide ongoing supervision by a school counselor, school social worker, licensed mental health professional, or qualified community partner; and (5) include safeguards to protect student confidentiality and well-being. Provides that a program may not: (1) provide clinical diagnosis or treatment; (2) be established to replace school counselors or mental health professionals; or (3) require participation by a student. Requires a school corporation to provide certain students voluntary, online mental health screenings. Establishes parameters for certain partnerships between school corporations and local mental health organizations participating in the school corporation's program. Creates the youth peer support advisory committee.

Requires the department of education (department) to: (1) compile a list of business and industry partners that provide guaranteed incentives to high school students who earn the honors employment plus seal; and (2) publish the list on the department's website. Provides that, in addition to conditions established in current law to convert an existing public elementary or secondary school, an existing public elementary or secondary school may be converted into a charter school if certain other conditions apply. Allows, if the conditions are met, the governing body of a school corporation to: (1) convert more than one existing public elementary or secondary school within the school corporation; and (2) operate two or more conversion charter schools under a single charter. Allows participating innovation network charter schools to enter into an agreement with more than one school corporation. Establishes the following for or with regard to participating innovation network charter schools that entered into an agreement with more than one school corporation: (1) Requirements regarding the location of a participating innovation network charter school. (2) Terms of a participating innovation network charter school agreement. (3) Duties of the department. Amends certain requirements and procedures that apply to the closure and transfer of covered school buildings. Provides that a lease or sale of a covered school building to a charter school or state educational institution includes certain assets. Requires parental notification if a school determines a student is at risk of not achieving grade level proficiency in mathematics.

Provides that certain teaching examinations are waived for an individual who is a graduate of a teacher preparation program, unless the individual fails to obtain a teaching license within three (3) years of graduation.

Allows the legislative body of a county and certain cities to adopt a resolution to place a referendum on the ballot to impose a local preschool referendum tax levy (levy) to fund administration of a preschool program and provide tuition and other assistance. Allows a unit to impose a levy if approved by a majority of the voters. Provides that voters may not approve a levy that is imposed for more than eight years. Specifies procedures for the referendum. Provides that a unit that imposes a levy must establish a preschool education program and a local preschool education referendum tax levy fund.

Provides that, for each school year beginning after June 30, 2027, a school corporation shall, if the school corporation determines that the school corporation cannot establish a minimum salary of $60,000 (instead of $40,000 under current law) for each full-time teacher, comply with certain requirements.

Requires the department of education to provide technical assistance to a school corporation that is eligible to participate in and elects to participate in the federal community eligibility provision to provide free school breakfast and lunch to all students.

Amends Indiana high school equivalency diploma program eligibility requirements for individuals under 18 years of age. Changes the expiration date of the high school equivalency pilot program from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2028. Makes conforming changes.

Requires the person or entity having authority over a school building to: (1) test the drinking water in the school building by a specified time frame; and (2) follow certain guidelines in conducting the testing and remediation. Requires the Indiana department of health to impose a civil penalty on the superintendent of a school corporation or the equivalent for a charter school for failing to have the school building's drinking water tested within the specified time frame.