LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6915 NOTE PREPARED: Feb 27, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 282 BILL AMENDED: Feb 27, 2024
SUBJECT: Various Education Matters.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Donato BILL STATUS: CR Adopted - 2
nd
House
FIRST SPONSOR: Rep. Carbaugh
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: (Amended) This bill requires a principal of a school maintained by a school
corporation to provide certain written communications if the principal determines an allegation made by a
parent or student alleging a school employee engaged in misconduct with, or pertaining to, a student is
unsubstantiated or is dismissed.
The bill provides that a prosecuting attorney shall notify a parent of a child when an affidavit is filed
regarding the child's compulsory attendance violations or if the child is a habitual truant.
The bill amends the duties of an attendance officer and the state attendance officer. It requires, not later than
November 1 of each year, the State Attendance Officer to submit a report to the Legislative Council
containing recommended legislation based on the State Attendance Officer's discussions with attendance
officers.
The bill requires the governing authority of a school corporation to establish a truancy prevention policy
regarding certain students in kindergarten through grade 6. It also requires the governing authority of a school
corporation to establish written discipline rules that include a policy that a student who is a habitual truant
may not participate in extracurricular or co-curricular activities or programs.
The bill provides that a state educational institution (SEI) must implement a policy to publish information
concerning any act of hazing committed by a member of a group or organization that is adjudicated by the
institution. It requires an SEI to publish a public report concerning certain information about an investigation
that results in a finding that hazing was committed. It also specifies what an SEI is required to publish on a
website in connection with the public report concerning hazing.
SB 282 1 The bill allows an individual who is at least 16 years of age to enroll in and attend a training program for
certification as a Firefighter I, Firefighter II, or emergency medical technician.
The bill provides that a literacy achievement grant is not subject to collective bargaining.
Effective Date: Upon passage; July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: (Revised) Firefighter and Emergency Medical Certifications: This bill
specifies that beginning in FY 2025 individuals at least 16 years of age are eligible to attend Firefighter 1,
Firefighter 2 and emergency medical technician training courses. These courses will count toward career and
technical education (CTE) credit for the purposes of tuition support calculations and may result in additional
CTE Grant expenditures. The actual increase in expenditures will likely be minimal and dependent upon how
many students participate in the courses and the CTE grant funding for the courses.
Department of Education (DOE): This bill requires the Secretary of Education to establish guidance
regarding the truancy policies to be adopted by schools under provisions of this bill. The Secretary of
Education should be able to accomplish these tasks within routine administrative functions.
The bill will increase the workload of the State Attendance Officer to meet at least once each year with all
attendance officers and to prepare a report based on discussions with those officers recommending legislation
to deter absenteeism and promote school attendance. The State Attendance Officer should be able to
accomplish this task within existing resources.
(Revised) State Educational Institutions (SEIs): Provisions of this bill require SEIs to publish certain
information regarding acts of hazing adjudicated by the institution. SEIs may experience a workload increase
as a result of this bill, but any increase should be met within existing resources.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: (Revised) Truancy Prevention Policy: The bill requires public schools,
charter schools, and nonpublic schools to establish and implement a truancy prevention policy to address
truancy before a child becomes a habitual truant and to minimize the need for referrals to juvenile courts.
A truancy prevention policy must specify that schools will notify parents of absentee children of the parent’s
responsibilities regarding student attendance and require that the parent participate in an attendance
conference with school officials regarding measures being taken to prevent further absenteeism. Schools
must establish a truancy prevention plan for each absentee student and hold an attendance conference with
a parent of each absentee student. Additional counseling services are to be provided to a student under certain
circumstances. School corporations must also adopt policies that bar habitual truants from extracurricular
and co-curricular activities and programs.
Depending on existing policies and practices and on the prevalence of absenteeism in a school, these
requirements may constitute a significant workload increase for some schools. Existing staffing and resource
levels, if currently being used to capacity, may be insufficient for full implementation. The additional funds
and resources required could be supplied through existing staff and resources currently being used in another
program or with new appropriations. Ultimately, the source of funds and resources required to satisfy the
requirements of this bill will depend on legislative and administrative actions.
(Revised) School Attendance Officer: The bill adds to the duties of the school attendance officer. It requires
SB 282 2 the attendance officer to meet at least once a year with the State Attendance Officer to discuss the
effectiveness of truancy prevention measures, review data, policies, procedures, and discuss potential
recommendations to the Legislative Council regarding legislation to deter absenteeism and promote school
attendance.
(Revised) Unsubstantiated Allegations Against School Employees: The bill provides that if a school
corporation determines that an allegation against a school employee is found to be unsubstantiated or is
otherwise dismissed, the school corporation must provide specific written notification to the involved parties.
It also specifies that the school may take certain actions in the event of additional unsubstantiated or
dismissed allegations. These provisions constitute an additional workload on schools, but any increase is
expected to be met within existing resources.
(Revised) Prosecuting Attorneys: Prosecuting attorneys must notify parents if an affidavit of habitual truancy
is filed with the prosecuting attorney’s officer. This may increase the workload for prosecuting attorneys,
but any increase is expected to be met within existing resources.
Explanation of Local Revenues: (Revised) Firefighter and Emergency Medical Certifications: Public
schools could receive additional CTE Grant revenue under the bill depending on student participation and
funding available. [See Explanation of State Expenditures for further details.]
State Agencies Affected: Department of Education; Department of Child Services; General Assembly; State
educational institutions.
Local Agencies Affected: Schools; Juvenile courts; Prosecuting attorneys.
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Alexander Raggio, 317-234-9485; Corrin Harvey, 317-234-9438.
SB 282 3