Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1358
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DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 20-33-2-15.5.
Synopsis: Excused absences. Defines "crisis day". Provides that the
governing body of a school corporation shall authorize the absence and
excuse of each student for not more than three crisis days per school
year under certain conditions. Provides that a student excused from
school attendance for a crisis day may not be recorded as being absent
and may not be penalized.
Effective: July 1, 2024.
Fleming, McGuire, DeLaney, Pfaff
January 10, 2024, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
2024 IN 1358—LS 6614/DI 143 Introduced
Second Regular Session of the 123rd General Assembly (2024)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
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Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1358
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 20-33-2-15.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
2 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
3 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 15.5. (a) As used in this section,
4 "crisis day" means a day in which a student is unable to attend
5 school as a result of a family emergency or personal emergency.
6 (b) The governing body of a school corporation shall authorize
7 the absence and excuse of each student for not more than three (3)
8 crisis days per school year. The following entities may notify school
9 authorities of a student's need to use a crisis day:
10 (1) Law enforcement or first responders using the Handle
11 with Care notification system.
12 (2) A juvenile court as a result of a child in need of services
13 proceeding.
14 (3) The department of child services established by
15 IC 31-25-1-1, during the exercise of its duties.
16 (4) A youth shelter (as defined in IC 34-30-25-3).
17 (c) An entity described in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(4) may
2024 IN 1358—LS 6614/DI 143 2
1 retroactively notify school authorities of a student's need to use a
2 crisis day, provided the notification is not more than thirty (30)
3 days after the student's family emergency or personal emergency.
4 (d) A school corporation must accept a request to use a crisis
5 day made by an entity described in subsection (b)(1) through
6 (b)(4), provided the request does not exceed the number of unused
7 crisis days allocated to the student under subsection (b).
8 (e) A student excused from school attendance under this section
9 may not be recorded as being absent on any date for which the
10 excuse is operative and may not be penalized by the school in any
11 manner.
2024 IN 1358—LS 6614/DI 143