Education

Requires each school corporation and charter school to develop a plan to conduct developmentally appropriate evidence based: (1) mental health screening; and (2) substance use disorder screening; for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Establishes notification, consent, and data destruction requirements. Requires the department of education to make available to school corporations and charter schools developmentally appropriate evidence based mental health screening and substance use disorder screening tools and resources.

Establishes the hunger-free campus grant program (grant program) to provide grants to state educational institutions for purposes of addressing food insecurity among students enrolled in state educational institutions. Provides that the commission for higher education (commission) shall provide a grant under the grant program to a state educational institution if at least one campus is designated by the commission as a hunger-free campus. Establishes criteria that a campus of a state educational institution must meet in order to be designated as a hunger-free campus. Makes an appropriation.

Requires, upon request, a public school to consult with and allow certain licensed or board certified behavior analysts and certified registered behavior technicians to provide applied behavioral analysis therapy services in the public school to a student under certain conditions in accordance with the student's special education program or plan. Provides immunity from civil liability for any actions taken in good faith to comply with the requirements. Requires the department of education to prepare and provide information and guidance to assist public schools in implementing the requirements.

Establishes an early childhood scholarship tax credit for contributions made to a scholarship granting organization that conducts a program to provide scholarships for children who attend a qualified early child care provider. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the amount of the contribution. Limits the total amount of tax credits awarded in a state fiscal year to not more than $100,000,000. Requires the department of education (department) to certify early childhood scholarship granting organizations that meet certain criteria. Requires qualified early childhood scholarship granting organizations to enter into an agreement with the department. Specifies conditions that must be included in the agreement. Provides that a school corporation that operates an early childhood education program may not limit consideration for participation in the program solely to those residing within the school district.

Establishes a state bullying ombudsman (ombudsman) position within the department of education (department). Establishes the duties of the ombudsman. Requires the department to: (1) provide staff and administrative support for the ombudsman; and (2) post the ombudsman's contact information on the department's website. Requires each school corporation to provide the ombudsman's contact information in certain rules, policies, and notices. Requires, with an exception, each school corporation to establish a bullying oversight committee (committee). Establishes the membership, authority, and duties of a committee. Provides that a parent of a targeted student may submit a complaint to the committee if the parent believes that: (1) the school administration failed to investigate a bullying or physical assault incident involving the targeted student; or (2) the resolution of an incident was insufficient or ineffective. Requires the department to adopt and post on the department's website guidelines and model training materials for committee members. Provides that a parent may, under certain circumstances, request a hearing before the governing body of the school corporation regarding a complaint. Establishes requirements for a governing body of a school corporation that receives a request for a hearing. Provides that a parent of a targeted student or parent of an alleged perpetrator may view any video evidence related to a bullying incident or physical assault involving the student for which a complaint or request for a hearing has been submitted.

Provides that the commission for higher education shall determine a tuition rate and mandatory fee cost of living adjustment for specified postsecondary educational institutions. Requires that, except for cost of living adjustments, the tuition rate and mandatory fees at specified postsecondary educational institutions may not increase from the time the student initially enrolls until the student graduates for an undergraduate student who is an Indiana resident.