*EH1637.3*
Reprinted
April 2, 2025
ENGROSSED
HOUSE BILL No. 1637
_____
DIGEST OF HB 1637 (Updated April 1, 2025 2:29 pm - DI 116)
Citations Affected: IC 10-19; IC 10-21; IC 13-17; IC 20-19;
IC 22-12; IC 22-14; IC 22-15; IC 35-31.5; IC 36-8; noncode.
Synopsis: School and public safety matters. Provides for the
appointment of a fire chief, or the fire chief's designee, to a county
school safety commission. Establishes the office of school safety within
the department of homeland security (department) for the purpose of
coordinating and administering school security and safety resources.
Requires a school corporation or charter school to comply with certain
safety related requests by the office of school safety. Authorizes the
department to issue enforcement orders in accordance with rules
adopted by the board of firefighting personnel standards and education.
Removes emergency medical services enforcement authority from the
state fire marshal's management authority. Provides that the
(Continued next page)
Effective: Upon passage; July 1, 2025.
Bartels, Davis, Commons, Criswell
(SENATE SPONSORS — BALDWIN, QADDOURA,
RANDOLPH LONNIE M)
January 21, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public
Safety.
February 6, 2025, amended, reported — Do Pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and
Means pursuant to Rule 126.3.
February 13, 2025, reported — Do Pass.
February 17, 2025, read second time, ordered engrossed. Engrossed.
February 18, 2025, read third time, passed. Yeas 94, nays 0.
SENATE ACTION
March 3, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Homeland Security and
Transportation.
March 11, 2025, amended, reported favorably — Do Pass; reassigned to Committee on
Appropriations.
March 20, 2025, amended, reported favorably — Do Pass.
April 1, 2025, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 Digest Continued
department, a fire department, or a volunteer fire department may open
burn for fire training purposes if certain conditions are met. Makes
various changes to provisions relating to the department's enforcement
authority pertaining to the administrative adjudication of building fire
and safety laws. Amends the definition of "law enforcement officer" to
include the state fire marshal and the executive director or fire
investigator of the department. Provides that the fire prevention and
building safety commission, with certain exceptions, may not adopt a
final rule for more than three building codes during any 12 month
period. Repeals the provision establishing the department of
education's division of school building physical security and safety.
Makes conforming amendments.
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 Reprinted
April 2, 2025
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
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,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
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 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
ENGROSSED
HOUSE BILL No. 1637
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
public safety.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 10-19-3.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]:
4 Chapter 3.5. Office of School Safety
5 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "director" refers to the director
6 of the office of school safety appointed under section 5 of this
7 chapter.
8 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "office" refers to the office of
9 school safety established by section 4 of this chapter.
10 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "physical security" refers to
11 security measures that are designed to deny unauthorized access
12 to a building or facility, including equipment and resources, and to
13 protect individuals and property from damage or harm.
14 Sec. 4. The office of school safety is established as an office
15 within the department of homeland security for the purpose of
16 coordinating and administering school safety resources.
17 Sec. 5. The executive director shall appoint a director of the
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 2
1 office. The director shall do the following:
2 (1) Serve as the executive head of the office.
3 (2) Advise executive state agencies and political subdivisions
4 regarding state best practices concerning matters relating to
5 school safety.
6 (3) Oversee the duties of the office and coordinate school
7 safety resources in consultation with other state agencies and
8 provide leadership regarding school safety matters.
9 Sec. 6. (a) The office shall:
10 (1) establish and maintain guidelines for using professional
11 architectural and engineering services to integrate physical
12 security improvements and safety practices in the
13 construction, renovation, repair, or alteration of a school
14 facility;
15 (2) carry out the office's responsibilities with regards to the
16 school safety specialist training and certification program
17 established by IC 10-21-1-13;
18 (3) establish and maintain guidelines for establishing
19 emergency response protocols in cooperation with other state
20 agencies;
21 (4) carry out the office's responsibilities to safe school
22 committees established under IC 10-21-1-14;
23 (5) coordinate the department's response and recovery
24 assistance to a school in the event of a manmade or natural
25 disaster;
26 (6) provide information and guidance to assist school
27 corporations or schools to establish mutual aid disaster
28 assistance agreements with other schools or school
29 corporations;
30 (7) study and collect information to integrate lessons learned
31 from previous school disasters throughout the country into
32 the curriculum of the school safety specialist training and
33 certification program established by IC 10-21-1-13 and
34 guidelines established by the office under this subsection;
35 (8) establish and maintain guidelines, in consultation with the
36 department of education and institute for criminal justice, for
37 developing and maintaining school safety plans as described
38 in IC 10-21-1-10 and IC 10-21-1-11; and
39 (9) assist the secured school safety board established by
40 IC 10-21-1-3 in conducting the review and submitting the
41 report as described in IC 10-21-1-8.
42 (b) The office may:
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 3
1 (1) request a meeting with a school corporation or charter
2 school to review a school safety plan as described in
3 IC 10-21-1-10;
4 (2) request to provide an onsite safety review for a school
5 corporation or charter school;
6 (3) request to provide guidance or assistance relating to school
7 safety matters to a school corporation or charter school;
8 (4) provide assistance or guidance relating to school safety
9 matters upon request by a nonpublic school that has
10 voluntarily become accredited under IC 20-31-4.1 or is
11 accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency that
12 is recognized by the state board of education; and
13 (5) provide assistance or guidance relating to school safety
14 matters upon request by a county school safety commission
15 established under IC 10-21-1-12.
16 The applicable school corporation or charter school must comply
17 with any requests made by the office under this subsection.
18 (c) The office shall maintain a secure website to provide school
19 officials and public safety officials access to information that is
20 considered confidential under IC 5-14-3-4(b)(1), IC 5-14-3-4(b)(18),
21 and IC 5-14-3-4(b)(19) or other sensitive information that may
22 assist school officials and public safety officials in improving school
23 safety or responding to a manmade or natural disaster.
24 (d) The office shall maintain a public website that contains:
25 (1) the guidelines established by the office under subsection
26 (a);
27 (2) best practices pertaining to school safety; and
28 (3) any other information the office determines may be
29 necessary to carry out the office's duties or responsibilities
30 under this section.
31 SECTION 2. IC 10-19-7-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.56-2023,
32 SECTION 78, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
33 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The state fire marshal appointed under
34 IC 22-14-2-2 shall manage the department's administration of the
35 following:
36 (1) IC 16-31.
37 (2) (1) IC 22-11.
38 (3) (2) IC 22-12.
39 (4) (3) IC 22-13.
40 (5) (4) IC 22-14.
41 (6) (5) IC 22-15.
42 (b) In carrying out the duties under subsection (a), the state fire
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 4
1 marshal shall do the following:
2 (1) Provide department staff to support the fire prevention and
3 building safety commission established by IC 22-12-2-1.
4 (2) Partner with state agencies, including the Indiana department
5 of health and state educational institutions, to develop public
6 safety education and outreach programs.
7 (c) The state fire marshal may not exercise any powers or perform
8 any duties specifically assigned to either of the following:
9 (1) The fire prevention and building safety commission.
10 (2) The state building commissioner.
11 (d) The state fire marshal may delegate the state fire marshal's
12 authority to the appropriate department staff.
13 SECTION 3. IC 10-21-1-10, AS AMENDED BY P.L.135-2024,
14 SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
15 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 10. (a) A school corporation shall develop a
16 school safety plan in accordance with subsection (c) for review as
17 described in section 11 of this chapter.
18 (b) Each charter school shall develop a school safety plan in
19 accordance with subsection (c) for review as described in section 11 of
20 this chapter. A charter school in operation on July 1, 2023, shall
21 comply with this subsection on or before July 1, 2024.
22 (c) The school safety plan:
23 (1) must be developed by a school safety specialist and the
24 school's safe school committee, including a school resource
25 officer if one (1) is employed by the school corporation or charter
26 school, in consultation with the:
27 (A) law enforcement agency; and
28 (B) fire department;
29 that have jurisdiction over the particular school building;
30 (2) must:
31 (A) protect against outside and internal threats to the physical
32 safety of students, faculty, staff, and the public, including
33 unsafe conditions, crime prevention, school violence, bullying
34 and cyberbullying, criminal organization activity, child abuse
35 and child sexual abuse, mental health and behavioral health,
36 suicide awareness and prevention, violence prevention and
37 training, situational awareness, and other issues that prevent
38 the maintenance of a safe school;
39 (B) prevent unauthorized access to school property and
40 interior areas or rooms, including the management of
41 authorized visitors on school property, before, during, and
42 after regular school hours;
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 5
1 (C) secure schools against natural and manmade disasters,
2 including all emergency preparedness drill requirements set
3 forth in IC 20-34-3-20;
4 (D) establish an armed intruder drill protocol that:
5 (i) provides accommodations for students who have mobility
6 restrictions, sensory needs, or auditory or visual limitations;
7 (ii) emphasizes the practical nature of the drill;
8 (iii) provides access to mental health services on school
9 grounds following the conclusion of a drill;
10 (iv) provides advance notice of a drill to parents or legal
11 guardians of students who attend the school; and
12 (v) provides alternative exercises for students who are
13 unable to participate in a drill;
14 (E) include a site vulnerability assessment for each school
15 building;
16 (F) not later than July 1, 2025, include the establishment of a
17 multi-disciplinary threat assessment team;
18 (G) include measures to expedite notification of first
19 responders and access to school property for first responders;
20 and
21 (H) include any additional requirements required by the
22 Indiana state board of education;
23 (3) must be provided to a member of the board if a member
24 requests the school safety plan;
25 (4) must be available for inspection by the department of
26 education's division of school building physical security and
27 safety (as established by IC 20-19-3-14); department's office of
28 school safety (as established by IC 10-19-3.5-4);
29 (5) must be provided to the law enforcement agency and the fire
30 department that have jurisdiction over the school corporation or
31 charter school;
32 (6) must include an attestation that:
33 (A) a copy of the floor plans for each building located on the
34 school's property were provided to the law enforcement agency
35 and the fire department that have jurisdiction over the school
36 corporation or charter school that clearly indicates each
37 entrance and exit, the interior rooms and hallways, and the
38 location of any hazardous materials located in the building; or
39 (B) the school corporation or charter school has conducted
40 critical incidence digital mapping for each school building
41 within the school corporation or the buildings that are operated
42 by a charter school, including providing the critical incidence
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 6
1 digital mapping information to:
2 (i) the law enforcement agency and fire department that
3 have jurisdiction over the mapped school buildings; and
4 (ii) the statewide 911 system described in IC 36-8-16.7-22
5 through the public safety answer point, or "PSAP",
6 described in IC 36-8-16.7-20 that has jurisdiction over the
7 mapped school buildings; and
8 (7) must be filed with the county school safety commission under
9 section 12 of this chapter having jurisdiction over the school
10 corporation or charter school.
11 (d) For purposes of IC 5-14-3, the entities specified in subsection (c)
12 that receive information under this section shall keep the information
13 compiled and retained under this section confidential and shall
14 withhold the information from public disclosure.
15 SECTION 4. IC 10-21-1-12, AS AMENDED BY P.L.148-2024,
16 SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
17 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12. (a) Not later than December 31, 2023, a
18 county shall establish a county school safety commission. Unless
19 otherwise specified in subsection (b)(1) through (b)(11), (b)(12), the
20 members described in subsection (b) are appointed by the school
21 corporation having the largest ADM (as defined in IC 20-18-2-2), as
22 determined in the fall count of ADM in the school year ending in the
23 current calendar year.
24 (b) The members of the commission are as follows:
25 (1) A school safety specialist for each school corporation located
26 in whole or in part in the county.
27 (2) The judge of the court having juvenile jurisdiction in the
28 county or the judge's designee.
29 (3) The sheriff of the county or the sheriff's designee.
30 (4) The chief officer of every other law enforcement agency in the
31 county, or the chief officer's designee.
32 (5) A representative of the juvenile probation system, appointed
33 by the judge described in subdivision (2).
34 (6) Representatives of community agencies that work with
35 children within the county.
36 (7) A representative of the Indiana state police district that serves
37 the county, appointed by the Indiana state police.
38 (8) A prosecuting attorney or deputy prosecuting attorney who
39 specializes in the prosecution of juveniles, appointed by the
40 prosecuting attorney.
41 (9) A school safety specialist of a charter school representing the
42 interests and viewpoints of charter schools within the
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 7
1 commission's jurisdiction if at least one (1) charter school within
2 the commission's jurisdiction requests to participate.
3 (10) A school safety specialist of an accredited nonpublic school
4 representing the interests and viewpoints of accredited nonpublic
5 schools within the commission's jurisdiction if at least one (1)
6 accredited nonpublic school requests to participate.
7 (11) The fire chief of a fire department in the county, or the
8 fire chief's designee.
9 (11) (12) Other appropriate individuals selected by the
10 commission.
11 (c) Once a commission is established, the school safety specialist of
12 the school corporation having the largest ADM (as defined in
13 IC 20-18-2-2), as determined in the fall count of ADM in the school
14 year ending in the current calendar year, in the county shall convene
15 the initial meeting of the commission.
16 (d) The members shall annually elect a chairperson.
17 (e) A commission shall perform the following duties:
18 (1) Periodically perform a cumulative analysis of school safety
19 needs within the county.
20 (2) Coordinate and make recommendations for the following:
21 (A) Prevention of juvenile offenses and improving the
22 reporting of juvenile offenses within the schools.
23 (B) Proposals for identifying and assessing children who are
24 at high risk of experiencing a mental health or behavioral
25 health crisis or becoming juvenile offenders.
26 (C) Methods to meet the educational needs of children who
27 have been detained as juvenile offenders.
28 (D) Methods to improve communications among agencies that
29 work with children.
30 (E) Methods to improve school security and emergency
31 preparedness.
32 (F) Additional equipment or personnel that are necessary to
33 carry out school safety plans.
34 (G) Pooling resources, combining purchases, using shared
35 administrative services, or collaborating among participating
36 school corporations, school corporation career and technical
37 education schools described in IC 20-37-1-1, and charter
38 schools to improve the maintenance of safe schools.
39 (H) Implementing best practices and procedures to use critical
40 incidence digital mapping in the event of an emergency within
41 the county.
42 (I) Any other topic the commission considers necessary to
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 8
1 improve school safety within the commission's jurisdiction.
2 (3) Provide assistance to school safety specialists and school
3 resource officers within the commission's jurisdiction in
4 developing and:
5 (A) implementing school safety plans; and
6 (B) requesting grants from the fund.
7 (4) Assist accredited nonpublic schools within the commission's
8 jurisdiction that voluntarily submit a school safety plan or a local
9 school safety and emergency plan (described in IC 20-34-3-23) to
10 the commission seeking assistance in carrying out the school
11 safety plan.
12 (f) The affirmative votes of a majority of the voting members of the
13 commission are required for the commission to take action on a
14 measure.
15 (g) A commission shall receive the school safety plans for the
16 school corporations and charter schools located in the county.
17 (h) A commission may receive from an accredited nonpublic school
18 within the commission's jurisdiction a school safety plan or a local
19 school safety and emergency plan described in IC 20-34-3-23.
20 (i) The commission shall keep the school safety plans compiled and
21 retained under this section confidential and shall withhold the
22 information from public disclosure.
23 (j) The commission may share the school safety plans under
24 subsections (g) and (h) with law enforcement and first responder
25 agencies that have jurisdiction over the school corporation, charter
26 school, or accredited nonpublic school. For the purposes of IC 5-14-3,
27 the entities receiving a school safety plan under this subsection shall
28 keep information compiled and retained under subsections (g) and (h)
29 confidential and shall withhold the information from public disclosure.
30 (k) A commission shall annually submit to the board on a date
31 established by the board:
32 (1) meeting minutes;
33 (2) any meeting agenda materials directly related to taking action
34 on a measure under this section; and
35 (3) a brief annual summary of its activities and accomplishments.
36 SECTION 5. IC 10-21-1-13, AS ADDED BY P.L.150-2023,
37 SECTION 14, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
38 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 13. (a) The school safety specialist training and
39 certification program is established. The program shall be
40 administered by the office of school safety (as established by
41 IC 10-19-3.5-4).
42 (b) The school safety specialist training and certification program
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 9
1 shall provide:
2 (1) annual training sessions, which may be conducted through
3 distance learning or at regional centers; and
4 (2) information concerning best practices and available resources;
5 for school safety specialists and county school safety commissions.
6 (c) The department of education, office of school safety (as
7 established by IC 10-19-3.5-4) in consultation with the board and the
8 department of education, shall do the following:
9 (1) Assemble an advisory group of school safety specialists from
10 around the state to make recommendations concerning the
11 curriculum and standards for school safety specialist training.
12 (2) Develop an appropriate curriculum and the standards for the
13 school safety specialist training and certification program. The
14 department of education office of school safety may consult with
15 national school safety experts in developing the curriculum and
16 standards. The curriculum developed under this subdivision must
17 include training in:
18 (A) identifying, preventing, and intervening in bullying and
19 cyberbullying;
20 (B) identifying, preventing, and intervening in criminal
21 organization activity;
22 (C) identifying, preventing, and intervening in actions by a
23 person who is present on school property with the intent to
24 harm another person;
25 (D) developing and implementing a school safety plan in
26 accordance with this chapter;
27 (E) using a county school safety commission to improve
28 school safety and emergency preparedness; and
29 (F) using safe school committees to improve safety and
30 emergency preparedness for each school building.
31 (3) Administer the school safety specialist training and
32 certification program, including the following duties:
33 (A) Establish a school safety specialist certificate for
34 candidates eligible under section 9 of this chapter who have
35 successfully completed the training program.
36 (B) Review the qualifications of each candidate, determine
37 their eligibility for certification, and present a certificate to
38 each school safety specialist eligible for certification.
39 SECTION 6. IC 10-21-1-14, AS AMENDED BY P.L.135-2024,
40 SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
41 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 14. (a) Each school operated by a school
42 corporation shall establish a safe school committee. The committee
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 10
1 may be a subcommittee of the committee that develops the strategic
2 and continuous school improvement and achievement plan under
3 IC 20-31-5. Each committee may include at least one (1) member who
4 is a member of the support staff of the school or school corporation
5 career and technical education school.
6 (b) Each school operated by a charter school shall establish a safe
7 school committee. A charter school in operation on July 1, 2023, shall
8 comply with this subsection not later than July 1, 2024.
9 (c) The safe school committee shall actively participate in and assist
10 with the development of the school safety plan.
11 (d) The department of education, office of school safety (as
12 established by IC 10-19-3.5-4), the school corporation's or charter
13 school's school safety specialist or specialists, and a school resource
14 officer, if one (1) is employed by the school corporation or charter
15 school, shall provide materials and guidelines to assist a safe school
16 committee in developing a policy for a particular school that addresses
17 the following issues:
18 (1) Implementation of the school safety plan.
19 (2) Addressing outside and internal threats to the physical safety
20 of students, faculty, staff, and the public, including unsafe
21 conditions, crime prevention, school violence, bullying and
22 cyberbullying, criminal organization activity, child abuse and
23 child sexual abuse, mental health and behavioral health, suicide
24 awareness and prevention, violence prevention and training,
25 situational awareness, and other issues that prevent the
26 maintenance of a safe school.
27 (3) Addressing the professional development needs for faculty
28 and staff to implement methods that decrease problems identified
29 under subdivision (2).
30 (4) Identifying and implementing methods to encourage:
31 (A) involvement by the community, families, and students;
32 (B) development of relationships between students and school
33 faculty and staff; and
34 (C) use of problem solving teams.
35 (5) Consideration of the effect of armed intruder drills on the
36 safety and mental health of students, faculty, and staff.
37 (e) The guidelines developed under subsection (d) must include age
38 appropriate, trauma informed, evidence based information (as defined
39 in 34 U.S.C. 10554(4)) that assists school corporations or charter
40 schools and safe school committees in:
41 (1) developing and implementing bullying and cyberbullying
42 prevention programs;
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 11
1 (2) establishing investigation and reporting procedures related to
2 bullying and cyberbullying; and
3 (3) adopting discipline rules that comply with IC 20-33-8-13.5.
4 (f) In addition to developing guidelines under subsection (d), the
5 office of school safety, in consultation with the department of
6 education, shall establish categories of types of bullying incidents to
7 allow school corporations to use the categories in making reports under
8 IC 20-20-8-8 and IC 20-34-6-1.
9 (g) The materials and guidelines provided under subsection (d) must
10 include the model educational materials and model response policies
11 and reporting procedures on child abuse and child sexual abuse
12 developed or identified under IC 20-19-3-11.
13 SECTION 7. IC 10-21-1-15, AS ADDED BY P.L.150-2023,
14 SECTION 16, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
15 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 15. An accredited nonpublic school may do one
16 (1) or more of the following:
17 (1) Designate one (1) or more individuals to obtain school safety
18 specialist certification under section 13 of this chapter to perform
19 school safety specialist duties under this chapter.
20 (2) Establish a school safety plan in accordance with section 10
21 of this chapter.
22 (3) Establish a safe school committee.
23 (4) Submit a school safety plan to the county school safety
24 commission having jurisdiction over the accredited nonpublic
25 school.
26 (5) Request to join the county school safety commission having
27 jurisdiction over the accredited nonpublic school or be
28 represented by another accredited nonpublic school's school
29 safety specialist on the same commission.
30 (6) Request general guidance relating to school safety matters
31 from one (1) or more of the following:
32 (A) The board.
33 (B) The department of education.
34 (C) The department of homeland security. office of school
35 safety (as established by IC 10-19-3.5-4).
36 (D) The county school safety commission having jurisdiction
37 over the accredited nonpublic school.
38 SECTION 8. IC 10-21-1-16, AS ADDED BY P.L.218-2023,
39 SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
40 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 16. (a) A school corporation, charter school, or
41 accredited nonpublic school may apply to the department board for a
42 grant from the fund to:
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 12
1 (1) increase school safety by:
2 (A) helping teachers, school staff, and school employees
3 acquire specialized firearms instruction as described in
4 IC 10-21-3; and
5 (B) defraying tuition related expenses for teachers, school
6 staff, and school employees who wish to enroll in the course
7 of firearms instruction described in IC 10-21-3; or
8 (2) provide funding in the event of a school shooting to cover the
9 costs of counseling for students, teachers, school staff, and school
10 employees.
11 (b) A school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic
12 school:
13 (1) is not subject to the restriction in section 4 of this chapter that
14 a school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic
15 school may receive only one (1) matching grant each year; and
16 (2) may receive an additional matching grant under section 4 of
17 this chapter for the purposes described in subsection (a).
18 SECTION 9. IC 10-21-1.5-4, AS ADDED BY P.L.27-2016,
19 SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
20 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. Not later than July 1, 2017, The department
21 office of school safety (as established by IC 10-19-3.5-4) shall
22 establish and maintain guidelines for emergency response systems. The
23 department office of school safety shall establish emergency response
24 system guidelines with input from the division of school building
25 physical security and safety (established by IC 20-19-3-14).
26 department of education.
27 SECTION 10. IC 13-17-9-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
28 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) Subject to section
29 3 of this chapter, a person may open burn the following for
30 maintenance purposes:
31 (1) Vegetation from:
32 (A) a farm;
33 (B) an orchard;
34 (C) a nursery;
35 (D) a tree farm;
36 (E) a cemetery; or
37 (F) a drainage ditch.
38 (2) Vegetation from agricultural land if the open burn occurs in
39 an unincorporated area.
40 (3) Wood products derived from pruning or clearing a roadside by
41 a county highway department.
42 (4) Wood products derived from the initial clearing of a public
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 13
1 utility right-of-way if the open burn occurs in an unincorporated
2 area.
3 (5) Undesirable:
4 (A) wood structures on real property; or
5 (B) wood remnants of the demolition of a predominantly
6 wooden structure originally located on real property;
7 located in an unincorporated area.
8 (b) Subject to section 3 of this chapter, the department of
9 homeland security, a municipal fire department, or a volunteer fire
10 department may open burn the following for fire training
11 purposes:
12 (1) Propane, straw, clean wood, or clean wood pallets.
13 (2) Wood framing, wood flooring, drywall, and home
14 furnishings in the department of homeland security's mobile
15 burn demonstration unit (BDU).
16 (b) (c) A person who is allowed to open burn under subsection (a)
17 or (b) is not required to obtain:
18 (1) a permit; or
19 (2) any other authorization;
20 from the department, a unit of local government, or a volunteer fire
21 department before conducting the open burning.
22 SECTION 11. IC 13-17-9-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
23 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. All open burning that
24 is allowed under this chapter must comply with the following
25 conditions:
26 (1) A person who open burns any material shall extinguish the fire
27 if the fire creates a nuisance or fire hazard.
28 (2) Burning may not be conducted during unfavorable
29 meteorological conditions such as high winds, temperature
30 inversions, or air stagnation, except open burning conducted in
31 accordance with section 1(b)(2) of this chapter.
32 (3) All fires must be attended at all times during burning until
33 completely extinguished.
34 (4) All asbestos containing materials must be removed before the
35 burning of a structure.
36 (5) Asbestos containing materials may not be burned.
37 (6) Open burning for the purpose of fire training under
38 section 1(b) of this chapter:
39 (A) must be conducted at the department of homeland
40 security's mobile burn demonstration unit (BDU) or at fire
41 training facilities located on property owned or controlled
42 by the department of homeland security, a local unit of
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 14
1 government, a municipal fire department, or a volunteer
2 fire department; and
3 (B) may not be conducted for disposal purposes.
4 (6) (7) Except as provided under section 1 of this chapter, all
5 burning must comply with state and federal laws.
6 SECTION 12. IC 20-19-3-14 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE JULY
7 1, 2025]. Sec. 14. (a) As used in this section, "division" refers to the
8 division of school building physical security and safety established by
9 subsection (c).
10 (b) As used in this section, "physical security" refers to security
11 measures that are designed to deny unauthorized access to a building
12 or facility, including equipment and resources, and to protect
13 individuals and property from damage or harm.
14 (c) The division of school building physical security and safety is
15 established within the department.
16 (d) The division shall:
17 (1) establish and maintain guidelines for using professional
18 architectural and engineering services to integrate physical
19 security improvements and safety practices in the construction,
20 renovation, repair, or alteration of a school facility;
21 (2) carry out the department's responsibilities with regards to the
22 school safety specialist training and certification program
23 established in IC 10-21-1-13;
24 (3) establish and maintain guidelines for establishing emergency
25 response protocols in cooperation with other state agencies;
26 (4) carry out the department's responsibilities to safe school
27 committees under IC 10-21-1-14;
28 (5) coordinate the department's response and recovery assistance
29 to a school in the event of a manmade or natural disaster;
30 (6) provide information and guidance to assist school corporations
31 or schools to establish mutual aid disaster assistance agreements
32 with other schools or school corporations;
33 (7) study and collect information to integrate lessons learned from
34 previous school disasters throughout the country into the
35 curriculum of the school safety specialist training and certification
36 program established in IC 10-21-1-13 and guidelines established
37 by the division under this subsection;
38 (8) establish and maintain guidelines, in consultation with the
39 department of homeland security and institute for criminal justice,
40 for developing and maintaining school safety plans as described
41 in IC 10-21-1-10 and IC 10-21-1-11; and
42 (9) assist the secured school safety board established by
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 15
1 IC 10-21-1-3 in conducting the review and submitting the report
2 as described in IC 10-21-1-8.
3 (e) The division may:
4 (1) request a meeting with a school corporation or charter school
5 to review a school safety plan as described in IC 10-21-1-10;
6 (2) request to provide an onsite safety review for a school
7 corporation or charter school;
8 (3) request to provide guidance or assistance relating to school
9 safety matters to a school corporation or charter school;
10 (4) provide assistance or guidance relating to school safety
11 matters upon request by a nonpublic school that has voluntarily
12 become accredited under IC 20-31-4.1 or is accredited by a
13 national or regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the
14 state board; and
15 (5) provide assistance or guidance relating to school safety
16 matters upon request by a county school safety commission under
17 IC 10-21-1-12.
18 (f) The division shall maintain a secure Internet web site to provide
19 school officials and public safety officials access to information that is
20 considered classified under IC 5-14-3-4(b)(1), IC 5-14-3-4(b)(18), and
21 IC 5-14-3-4(b)(19) or other sensitive information that may assist school
22 officials and public safety officials in improving school safety or
23 responding to a manmade or natural disaster.
24 (g) The division shall maintain a public website that contains:
25 (1) the guidelines established by the division under subsection
26 (d);
27 (2) best practices pertaining to school safety; and
28 (3) any other information the division determines may be
29 necessary to carry out the division's duties or responsibilities
30 under this section.
31 SECTION 13. IC 22-12-2.5-3, AS ADDED BY P.L.155-2023,
32 SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
33 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. The commission shall decide which building
34 codes shall be reviewed each calendar year, focusing on the oldest
35 building codes for review. Except as permitted under section 4(b) of
36 this chapter, the commission may not review adopt a final rule under
37 IC 4-22-2-29 for more than three (3) building codes during any
38 calendar year. twelve (12) month period.
39 SECTION 14. IC 22-12-7-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.249-2019,
40 SECTION 21, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
41 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. This chapter applies to the commission, the
42 education board, and every officer, employee, and agent of an office or
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 16
1 division within the department whenever the person has authority to
2 administer or enforce a law under IC 22-11 through IC 22-15,
3 IC 35-47.5, or IC 36-8-10.5.
4 SECTION 15. IC 22-12-7-8 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
5 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 8. (a) If a licensee is
6 placed on probation under section 7 of this chapter, the person issuing
7 the order may require that licensee to:
8 (1) report regularly to the department or another person upon the
9 matters that are the basis of probation;
10 (2) limit use of property or other conduct to those areas prescribed
11 by the person issuing the order; or
12 (3) if the disciplined licensee is an inspector or an inspection
13 agency, continue or renew professional education under the
14 department or another person approved by the person issuing the
15 order until the person issuing the order finds that a satisfactory
16 degree of skill has been attained in those areas that are the basis
17 of the probation; or
18 (4) perform any acts, including community restitution or
19 service without compensation, or refrain from performing
20 any acts that the department considers appropriate to the
21 public interest or to the rehabilitation or treatment of the
22 practitioner.
23 (b) The person issuing the order may cancel a probation order if it
24 finds that the deficiency that required disciplinary action has been
25 remedied by the licensee.
26 SECTION 16. IC 22-12-7-12 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
27 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12. (a) This section
28 applies to an order issued by an officer, employee, or agent of an office
29 or division within the department.
30 (b) The office or division issuing an order shall give a person who:
31 (1) is aggrieved by the order; and
32 (2) requests review of the order in verbal or written form;
33 an opportunity to informally discuss the order with the office or
34 division. Review under this subsection does not suspend the running of
35 the time period in which a person must petition under IC 4-21.5-3-7 to
36 appeal the order.
37 (c) The office or division issuing the order may, on its own initiative
38 or at the request of any person, modify its order or reverse the order.
39 (d) An order issued by an office or a division may be appealed to the
40 commission under IC 4-21.5-3-7. A decision to deny a request to
41 modify or reverse an order under subsection (c) is not appealable.
42 However, orders issued under IC 22-14-2-7, IC 22-14-2-7.5, or
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 17
1 IC 36-8-10.5 are appealed to the education board.
2 (e) If an order is appealed, the commission agency that is
3 responsible for reviewing the order under subsection (d) or its
4 designee shall conduct all administrative proceedings under IC 4-21.5.
5 In its proceedings, the commission agency conducting the proceeding
6 may modify the order to impose any requirement authorized under this
7 article or reverse the order.
8 SECTION 17. IC 22-14-2-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.187-2021,
9 SECTION 82, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
10 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 4. (a) The department may:
11 (1) enter and inspect any property, at a reasonable hour;
12 (2) issue and enforce administrative orders under IC 22-12-7 and
13 apply for judicial orders under IC 22-12-7-13;
14 (3) direct a fire department to assist the department;
15 (4) cooperate with law enforcement officers; and
16 (5) provide hazardous materials and counterterrorism:
17 (A) training;
18 (B) support; and
19 (C) response assistance.
20 (b) To carry out the state fire marshal's responsibility to conduct an
21 investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding a fire or
22 an explosion, the state fire marshal or a department fire investigator
23 authorized by the state fire marshal may:
24 (1) exercise the powers of a law enforcement officer to prevent
25 fires and conduct arson investigations;
26 (2) direct a fire department to assist the state fire marshal or
27 department fire investigator; and
28 (3) cooperate with law enforcement officers.
29 (b) Notwithstanding any other law, changes made to this section
30 during the 2025 regular session of the general assembly do not
31 affect ongoing investigations initiated by the state fire marshal
32 before July 1, 2025.
33 SECTION 18. IC 22-14-2-7, AS AMENDED BY P.L.93-2024,
34 SECTION 165, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
35 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 7. (a) This section does not limit the
36 powers, rights, duties, and other responsibilities of municipal or county
37 governments or impose requirements affecting pension laws or any
38 other laws.
39 (b) This section does not require a member of a fire department to
40 be certified. However, under the authority provided in subsection
41 (c), the education board may, by rule, establish a program
42 requiring certification of fire service personnel or nonfire service
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 18
1 personnel.
2 (c) The education board may establish a program to be
3 administered by the department to:
4 (1) certify firefighting training and education programs that meet
5 the standards set by the education board;
6 (2) certify fire department instructors who meet the qualifications
7 set by the education board;
8 (3) direct research in the field of firefighting and fire prevention
9 and accept gifts and grants to direct this research;
10 (4) recommend curricula for advanced training courses and
11 seminars in fire science or fire engineering training to public and
12 private postsecondary educational institutions;
13 (5) certify fire service personnel and nonfire service personnel
14 who meet the qualifications set by the education board;
15 (6) require fire service personnel certified at any level to fulfill
16 continuing education requirements in order to maintain
17 certification; or
18 (7) contract or cooperate with any person and adopt rules under
19 IC 4-22-2, and as authorized under IC 36-8-10.5-7, to carry out its
20 responsibilities under this section.
21 (d) The education board may impose a reasonable fee for the
22 issuance of a certification described in subsection (c). The board
23 department shall deposit the fee in the fire and building services fund
24 established by IC 22-12-6-1.
25 (e) The education board is the ultimate authority for orders
26 issued by the department under this section.
27 SECTION 19. IC 22-14-2-8, AS AMENDED BY P.L.187-2021,
28 SECTION 85, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
29 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 8. (a) Regardless of the extent of the investigation
30 conducted by a fire department under IC 36-8-17-7, the state fire
31 marshal or a department fire investigator authorized by the state fire
32 marshal may conduct an investigation into the causes and
33 circumstances surrounding any fire or explosion.
34 (b) To carry out this section, the state fire marshal or a department
35 fire investigator authorized by the state fire marshal may:
36 (1) exercise its powers under section 4 of this chapter and
37 subsection (e);
38 (2) assist a prosecuting attorney with any criminal investigation;
39 (3) subpoena witnesses and order the production of books,
40 documents, and other evidence;
41 (4) give oaths and affirmations;
42 (5) take depositions and conduct hearings;
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 19
1 (6) separate witnesses and otherwise regulate the course of
2 proceedings; and
3 (7) obtain and secure evidence.
4 (c) Subpoenas, discovery orders, and protective orders issued under
5 this section shall be enforced under IC 4-21.5-6-2.
6 (d) A person who is summoned and testifies under this section is
7 entitled to receive a minimum salary per diem and a mileage allowance
8 from the fire and building services fund. The budget agency shall set
9 the amount of the per diem and mileage allowance.
10 (e) The state fire marshal and the department fire investigators
11 authorized by the state fire marshal have are law enforcement officers
12 authority at all times while discharging their duties under this section
13 as employees of the department.
14 (f) The executive director of the department has is a law
15 enforcement authority at all times officer while discharging the duties
16 of the executive director. under this section.
17 SECTION 20. IC 22-15-3.2-7, AS AMENDED BY P.L.187-2021,
18 SECTION 105, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
19 [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 7. (a) A design release shall be
20 issued to an applicant without a plan review if:
21 (1) the applicant submits a complete application; and
22 (2) the department does not select the application for a plan
23 review under this section.
24 (b) The department may select any application for design release to
25 be subject to a plan review. The department has complete discretion in
26 the criteria used by the department to select a design release
27 application for a plan review. A criterion used by the department may
28 be whether the design professional has received disciplinary sanctions
29 under IC 25-1-11-12 within the preceding five (5) years.
30 (c) Not later than July 1, 2025, the department shall identify and
31 publish a list of projects that qualify under subsection (a)(2) for
32 release without a plan review.
33 SECTION 21. IC 22-15-5-16, AS AMENDED BY P.L.142-2020,
34 SECTION 23, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
35 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 16. (a) A practitioner shall comply with the
36 standards established under this licensing program. A practitioner is
37 subject to the exercise of the disciplinary sanctions under subsection
38 (b) IC 22-12-7-7 if the department finds that a practitioner has:
39 (1) engaged in or knowingly cooperated in fraud or material
40 deception in order to obtain a license to practice, including
41 cheating on a licensing examination;
42 (2) engaged in fraud or material deception in the course of
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 20
1 professional services or activities;
2 (3) advertised services or goods in a false or misleading manner;
3 (4) falsified or knowingly allowed another person to falsify
4 attendance records or certificates of completion of continuing
5 education courses provided under this chapter;
6 (5) been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearing on the
7 practitioner's ability to continue to practice competently;
8 (6) knowingly violated a state statute or rule or federal statute or
9 regulation regulating the profession for which the practitioner is
10 licensed;
11 (7) continued to practice although the practitioner has become
12 unfit to practice due to:
13 (A) professional incompetence;
14 (B) failure to keep abreast of current professional theory or
15 practice;
16 (C) physical or mental disability; or
17 (D) addiction to, abuse of, or severe dependency on alcohol or
18 other drugs that endanger the public by impairing a
19 practitioner's ability to practice safely;
20 (8) engaged in a course of lewd or immoral conduct in connection
21 with the delivery of services to the public;
22 (9) allowed the practitioner's name or a license issued under this
23 chapter to be used in connection with an individual or business
24 who renders services beyond the scope of that individual's or
25 business's training, experience, or competence;
26 (10) had disciplinary action taken against the practitioner or the
27 practitioner's license to practice in another state or jurisdiction on
28 grounds similar to those under this chapter;
29 (11) assisted another person in committing an act that would
30 constitute a ground for disciplinary sanction under this chapter;
31 or
32 (12) allowed a license issued by the department to be:
33 (A) used by another person; or
34 (B) displayed to the public when the license has expired, is
35 inactive, is invalid, or has been revoked or suspended.
36 For purposes of subdivision (10), a certified copy of a record of
37 disciplinary action constitutes prima facie evidence of a disciplinary
38 action in another jurisdiction.
39 (b) The department may impose one (1) or more of the following
40 sanctions if the department finds that a practitioner is subject to
41 disciplinary sanctions under subsection (a):
42 (1) Permanent revocation of a practitioner's license.
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 21
1 (2) Suspension of a practitioner's license.
2 (3) Censure of a practitioner.
3 (4) Issuance of a letter of reprimand.
4 (5) Assessment of a civil penalty against the practitioner in
5 accordance with the following:
6 (A) The civil penalty may not be more than one thousand
7 dollars ($1,000) for each violation listed in subsection (a),
8 except for a finding of incompetency due to a physical or
9 mental disability.
10 (B) When imposing a civil penalty, the department shall
11 consider a practitioner's ability to pay the amount assessed. If
12 the practitioner fails to pay the civil penalty within the time
13 specified by the department, the department may suspend the
14 practitioner's license without additional proceedings. However,
15 a suspension may not be imposed if the sole basis for the
16 suspension is the practitioner's inability to pay a civil penalty.
17 (6) Placement of a practitioner on probation status and
18 requirement of the practitioner to:
19 (A) report regularly to the department upon the matters that
20 are the basis of probation;
21 (B) limit practice to those areas prescribed by the department;
22 (C) continue or renew professional education approved by the
23 department until a satisfactory degree of skill has been attained
24 in those areas that are the basis of the probation; or
25 (D) perform or refrain from performing any acts, including
26 community restitution or service without compensation, that
27 the department considers appropriate to the public interest or
28 to the rehabilitation or treatment of the practitioner.
29 The department may withdraw or modify this probation if the
30 department finds after a hearing that the deficiency that required
31 disciplinary action has been remedied or that changed
32 circumstances warrant a modification of the order.
33 (c) (b) If an applicant or a practitioner has engaged in or knowingly
34 cooperated in fraud or material deception to obtain a license to
35 practice, including cheating on the licensing examination, the
36 department may rescind the license if it has been granted, void the
37 examination or other fraudulent or deceptive material, and prohibit the
38 applicant from reapplying for the license for a length of time
39 established by the department.
40 (d) (c) The department may deny licensure to an applicant who has
41 had disciplinary action taken against the applicant or the applicant's
42 license to practice in another state or jurisdiction or who has practiced
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 22
1 without a license in violation of the law. A certified copy of the record
2 of disciplinary action is conclusive evidence of the other jurisdiction's
3 disciplinary action.
4 (e) (d) The department may order a practitioner to submit to a
5 reasonable physical or mental examination if the practitioner's physical
6 or mental capacity to practice safely and competently is at issue in a
7 disciplinary proceeding. Failure to comply with a department order to
8 submit to a physical or mental examination makes a practitioner liable
9 to temporary suspension under subsection (j). (h).
10 (f) (e) Except as provided under subsection (f) or (g), or (h), a
11 license may not be denied, revoked, or suspended because the applicant
12 or holder has been convicted of an offense. The acts from which the
13 applicant's or holder's conviction resulted may, however, be considered
14 as to whether the applicant or holder should be entrusted to serve the
15 public in a specific capacity.
16 (g) (f) The department may deny, suspend, or revoke a license
17 issued under this chapter if the individual who holds the license is
18 convicted of any of the following:
19 (1) Possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug under IC 35-48-4-6.
20 (2) Possession of methamphetamine under IC 35-48-4-6.1.
21 (3) Possession of a controlled substance under IC 35-48-4-7(a).
22 (4) Fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance under
23 IC 35-48-4-7(b) (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or
24 IC 35-48-4-7(c) (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014).
25 (5) Manufacture of paraphernalia as a Class D felony (for a crime
26 committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 6 felony (for a crime
27 committed after June 30, 2014) under IC 35-48-4-8.1(b).
28 (6) Dealing in paraphernalia as a Class D felony (for a crime
29 committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 6 felony (for a crime
30 committed after June 30, 2014) under IC 35-48-4-8.5(b).
31 (7) Possession of paraphernalia as a Class D felony (for a crime
32 committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level 6 felony (for a crime
33 committed after June 30, 2014) under IC 35-48-4-8.3(b) (before
34 its amendment on July 1, 2015).
35 (8) Possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia as a Class
36 D felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a Level
37 6 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014) under
38 IC 35-48-4-11.
39 (9) A felony offense under IC 35-48-4 involving possession of a
40 synthetic drug (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-321), possession of a
41 controlled substance analog (as defined in IC 35-48-1-9.3), or
42 possession of a synthetic drug lookalike substance (as defined in
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 23
1 IC 35-31.5-2-321.5 (before its repeal on July 1, 2019)) as a:
2 (A) Class D felony for a crime committed before July 1, 2014;
3 or
4 (B) Level 6 felony for a crime committed after June 30, 2014;
5 under IC 35-48-4-11.5 (before its repeal on July 1, 2019).
6 (10) Maintaining a common nuisance under IC 35-48-4-13
7 (repealed) or IC 35-45-1-5, if the common nuisance involves a
8 controlled substance.
9 (11) An offense relating to registration, labeling, and prescription
10 forms under IC 35-48-4-14.
11 (h) (g) The department shall deny, revoke, or suspend a license
12 issued under this chapter if the individual who holds the license is
13 convicted of any of the following:
14 (1) Dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death under
15 IC 35-42-1-1.5.
16 (2) Dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug under IC 35-48-4-1.
17 (3) Dealing in methamphetamine under IC 35-48-4-1.1.
18 (4) Manufacturing methamphetamine under IC 35-48-4-1.2.
19 (5) Dealing in a schedule I, II, or III controlled substance under
20 IC 35-48-4-2.
21 (6) Dealing in a schedule IV controlled substance under
22 IC 35-48-4-3.
23 (7) Dealing in a schedule V controlled substance under
24 IC 35-48-4-4.
25 (8) Dealing in a substance represented to be a controlled
26 substance under IC 35-48-4-4.5 (repealed).
27 (9) Knowingly or intentionally manufacturing, advertising,
28 distributing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, advertise,
29 or distribute a substance represented to be a controlled substance
30 under IC 35-48-4-4.6.
31 (10) Dealing in a counterfeit substance under IC 35-48-4-5.
32 (11) Dealing in marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia as a felony
33 under IC 35-48-4-10.
34 (12) An offense under IC 35-48-4 involving the manufacture or
35 sale of a synthetic drug (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-321), a
36 synthetic drug lookalike substance (as defined in
37 IC 35-31.5-2-321.5 (before its repeal on July 1, 2019)) under
38 IC 35-48-4-10.5 (before its repeal on July 1, 2019), a controlled
39 substance analog (as defined in IC 35-48-1-9.3), or a substance
40 represented to be a controlled substance (as described in
41 IC 35-48-4-4.6).
42 (13) A violation of any federal or state drug law or rule related to
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 24
1 wholesale legend drug distributors licensed under IC 25-26-14.
2 (i) A decision of the department under subsections (b) through (h)
3 may be appealed to the commission under IC 4-21.5-3-7.
4 (j) (h) The department may temporarily suspend a practitioner's
5 license under IC 4-21.5-4 before a final adjudication or during the
6 appeals process if the department finds that a practitioner represents a
7 clear and immediate danger to the public's health, safety, or property if
8 the practitioner is allowed to continue to practice.
9 (k) (i) On receipt of a complaint or an information alleging that a
10 person licensed under this chapter has engaged in or is engaging in a
11 practice that jeopardizes the public health, safety, or welfare, the
12 department shall initiate an investigation against the person.
13 (l) (j) Any complaint filed with the office of the attorney general
14 alleging a violation of this licensing program shall be referred to the
15 department for summary review and for its general information and any
16 authorized action at the time of the filing.
17 (m) (k) The department shall conduct a fact finding investigation as
18 the department considers proper in relation to the complaint.
19 (n) The department may reinstate a license that has been suspended
20 under this section if, after a hearing, the department is satisfied that the
21 applicant is able to practice with reasonable skill, safety, and
22 competency to the public. As a condition of reinstatement, the
23 department may impose disciplinary or corrective measures authorized
24 under this chapter.
25 (o) The department may not reinstate a license that has been
26 revoked under this chapter. An individual whose license has been
27 revoked under this chapter may not apply for a new license until seven
28 (7) years after the date of revocation.
29 (p) The department shall seek to achieve consistency in the
30 application of sanctions authorized in this chapter. Significant
31 departures from prior decisions involving similar conduct must be
32 explained in the department's findings or orders.
33 (q) (l) A practitioner may petition the department to accept the
34 surrender of the practitioner's license. instead of having a hearing
35 before the commission. The practitioner may not surrender the
36 practitioner's license without the written approval of the department,
37 and the department may impose any conditions appropriate to the
38 surrender or reinstatement of a surrendered license.
39 (r) (m) A practitioner who has been subjected to disciplinary
40 sanctions may be required by the commission to pay the costs of the
41 proceeding. The practitioner's ability to pay shall be considered when
42 costs are assessed. If the practitioner fails to pay the costs, a suspension
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 25
1 may not be imposed solely upon the practitioner's inability to pay the
2 amount assessed. The costs are limited to costs for the following:
3 (1) Court reporters.
4 (2) Transcripts.
5 (3) Certification of documents.
6 (4) Photo duplication.
7 (5) Witness attendance and mileage fees.
8 (6) Postage.
9 (7) Expert witnesses.
10 (8) Depositions.
11 (9) Notarizations.
12 SECTION 22. IC 35-31.5-2-185, AS AMENDED BY P.L.122-2023,
13 SECTION 17, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
14 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 185. (a) "Law enforcement officer" means:
15 (1) a police officer (including a tribal police officer, a correctional
16 police officer, and a hospital police officer employed by a hospital
17 police department established under IC 16-18-4), sheriff,
18 constable, marshal, prosecuting attorney, special prosecuting
19 attorney, special deputy prosecuting attorney, the securities
20 commissioner, the state fire marshal, the executive director of
21 the department of homeland security, or the inspector general;
22 (2) a deputy of any of those persons;
23 (3) an investigator for a prosecuting attorney or for the inspector
24 general;
25 (4) a conservation officer;
26 (5) an enforcement officer of the alcohol and tobacco
27 commission;
28 (6) an enforcement officer of the securities division of the office
29 of the secretary of state; or
30 (7) a gaming agent employed under IC 4-33-4.5 or a gaming
31 control officer employed by the gaming control division under
32 IC 4-33-20; or
33 (8) a fire investigator of the department of homeland security.
34 (b) "Law enforcement officer", for purposes of IC 35-42-2-1,
35 includes an alcoholic beverage enforcement officer, as set forth in
36 IC 35-42-2-1.
37 (c) "Law enforcement officer", for purposes of IC 35-45-15,
38 includes a federal enforcement officer, as set forth in IC 35-45-15-3.
39 (d) "Law enforcement officer", for purposes of IC 35-44.1-3-1 and
40 IC 35-44.1-3-2, includes a school resource officer (as defined in
41 IC 20-26-18.2-1) and a school corporation police officer appointed
42 under IC 20-26-16.
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 26
1 (e) "Law enforcement officer", for purposes of IC 35-40.5, has the
2 meaning set forth in IC 35-40.5-1-1.
3 SECTION 23. IC 36-8-10.5-1.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
4 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
5 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1.5. As used in this chapter,
6 "department" refers to the department of homeland security
7 established by IC 10-19-2-1.
8 SECTION 24. IC 36-8-10.5-7.5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.187-2021,
9 SECTION 142, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
10 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 7.5. (a) Except as provided in
11 subsection (b), an individual whose employment by a fire department
12 as a full-time firefighter begins after December 31, 2009, must
13 complete the training for Firefighter I and Firefighter II during the
14 firefighter's first year of employment. The fire department that employs
15 a firefighter shall report to the education board department when the
16 firefighter has completed the training requirements established by this
17 subsection.
18 (b) The education board department may grant a firefighter any
19 number of extensions of six (6) months to complete the training
20 required under subsection (a). An extension must be requested by the
21 fire department that employs the firefighter. An extension may be
22 requested for any reason, including the following:
23 (1) The firefighter has been attending training in accordance with
24 section 8 of this chapter in any of the following:
25 (A) Hazardous materials.
26 (B) Paramedic training.
27 (C) Emergency medical technician training.
28 (D) Technical training.
29 (2) The firefighter was unable to complete the training due to
30 economic reasons.
31 (c) The education board department shall determine whether a
32 firefighter receives an extension under this section.
33 SECTION 25. IC 36-8-10.5-8 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
34 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 8. (a) The training may
35 be conducted at:
36 (1) a location within the political subdivision employing a
37 full-time firefighter;
38 (2) the headquarters of the volunteer fire department where a
39 volunteer firefighter is seeking membership; or
40 (3) any other facility where the training is offered.
41 (b) The training must be conducted by personnel certified as
42 instructors by the education board. department.
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 27
1 SECTION 26. IC 36-8-10.5-9 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
2 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 9. The education board
3 department shall certify fire personnel who successfully complete the
4 minimum basic training requirements.
5 SECTION 27. IC 36-8-10.5-12, AS ADDED BY P.L.72-2020,
6 SECTION 3, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
7 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12. (a) The best practices fund is established for
8 the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions and
9 volunteer fire departments to purchase equipment and other gear to
10 implement best practices established under section 11 of this chapter.
11 (b) The fund shall be administered by the education board.
12 department.
13 (c) The fund consists of:
14 (1) appropriations from the general assembly; and
15 (2) amounts deposited from any other public or private source.
16 (d) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
17 money in the fund.
18 (e) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not
19 currently needed to meet obligations of the fund in the same manner as
20 other public money may be invested. Interest that accrues from these
21 investments shall be deposited in the fund.
22 (f) Money in the fund at the end of the state fiscal year does not
23 revert to the state general fund.
24 (g) The education board department shall adopt rules under
25 IC 4-22-2 to implement this section.
26 SECTION 28. [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE] (a) As used in this
27 SECTION, "division" means the department of education's
28 division of school building physical security and safety established
29 by IC 20-19-3-14, before its repeal by this act.
30 (b) As used in this SECTION, "office" means the department of
31 homeland security's office of school safety established by
32 IC 10-19-3.5-4, as added by this act.
33 (c) On July 1, 2025, all agreements and liabilities of the division
34 are transferred to the office, as the successor agency.
35 (d) On July 1, 2025, all records and property of the division,
36 including appropriations and other funds under the control or
37 supervision of the division, are transferred to the office, as the
38 successor agency.
39 (e) After July 1, 2025, any amounts owed to the division before
40 July 1, 2025, are considered to be owed to the office, as the
41 successor agency.
42 (f) After July 1, 2025, a reference to the division in a statute,
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 28
1 rule, or other document is considered a reference to the office, as
2 the successor agency.
3 (g) This SECTION expires July 1, 2026.
4 SECTION 29. An emergency is declared for this act.
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 29
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public
Safety, to which was referred House Bill 1637, has had the same under
consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the House with
the recommendation that said bill be amended as follows:
Page 3, between lines 15 and 16, begin a new line blocked left and
insert:
"The applicable school corporation or charter school must comply
with any requests made by the office under this subsection.".
Page 4, between lines 10 and 11, begin a new paragraph and insert:
"SECTION 3. IC 10-21-1-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.201-2023,
SECTION 128, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) The Indiana secured school
fund is established to provide:
(1) matching grants to school corporations, charter schools, and
accredited nonpublic schools, where the matching grants may be
used to:
(A) employ a school resource officer, employ a law
enforcement officer, or enter into a contract or a memorandum
of understanding with a:
(i) local law enforcement agency;
(ii) private entity; or
(iii) nonprofit corporation;
to employ a school resource officer or a law enforcement
officer;
(B) conduct:
(i) a site vulnerability assessment of the buildings within a
school corporation or the buildings that are operated by a
charter school or accredited nonpublic school; or
(ii) critical incident digital mapping of the buildings within
a school corporation or the buildings that are operated by a
charter school or accredited nonpublic school;
(C) purchase equipment, hardware, materials, and technology
to:
(i) restrict access to school property and classrooms;
(ii) assist with visitor management on school property;
(iii) expedite notification of first responders;
(iv) expedite access to school property for first responders;
(v) provide school staff with information about the open or
closed status of interior and exterior doors;
(vi) detect fire, chemical, visual, or audible threats;
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 30
(vii) enhance emergency communications inside the
building; or
(viii) assist with emergency medical response on school
property;
(D) implement a student and parent support services plan as
described in IC 20-34-9;
(E) purchase or provide training for a canine trained to detect
drugs and illegal substances, explosives, or firearms, or to
otherwise provide protection for students and school
employees and the canine shall:
(i) be primarily assigned to a school corporation, charter
school, or accredited nonpublic school;
(ii) be primarily assigned to a school resource officer or law
enforcement officer described in clause (A) who has
received appropriate training for handling a canine trained
to detect drugs and illegal substances, explosives, or
firearms, or to otherwise provide protection for students and
school employees, including training regarding handling a
canine in a school setting; and
(iii) receive continuous training as appropriate;
(F) provide funding for school employees to receive training,
including expenses for per diem, travel, and lodging, related
to:
(i) site vulnerability assessments;
(ii) mental health or behavioral health threat assessments;
(iii) multi-disciplinary threat assessment teams; or
(iv) emergency preparedness or response activities;
(G) provide funding for school resource officers or law
enforcement officers described in clause (A) to receive
training, including expenses for per diem, travel, and lodging,
related to handling a canine trained to detect drugs and illegal
substances, explosives, or firearms, or to otherwise provide
protection for students and school employees;
(H) purchase student safety management technology;
(I) design and construct additions or renovations on school
property if the primary purpose of the construction project is
to enhance the physical security of the school building; or
(J) implement a bullying prevention program; and
(2) one (1) time grants to enable school corporations, charter
schools, and accredited nonpublic schools with the sheriff for the
county in which the school corporation, charter school, or
accredited nonpublic school is located, to provide the initial set up
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 31
costs for an active event warning system; and
(3) financial assistance for projects of the office of school
safety that are approved by the board.
(b) A school corporation or charter school may use money received
under a matching grant for a purpose listed in subsection (a) to provide
a response to a threat in a manner that the school corporation or charter
school sees fit, including firearms training or other self-defense
training.
(c) The fund shall be administered by the department of homeland
security.
(d) The fund consists of:
(1) appropriations from the general assembly;
(2) federal grants;
(3) amounts deposited from any other public or private source;
and
(4) amounts deposited under IC 33-37-9-4.
(e) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
money in the fund.
(f) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not
currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that accrues
from these investments shall be deposited in the fund.
(g) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert
to the state general fund.".
Page 14, line 36, after "security," insert "a local unit of
government,".
Page 16, between lines 27 and 28, begin a new paragraph and insert:
"SECTION 14. IC 22-12-2.5-3, AS ADDED BY P.L.155-2023,
SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3. The commission shall decide which building
codes shall be reviewed each calendar year, focusing on the oldest
building codes for review. Except as permitted under section 4(b) of
this chapter, the commission may not review adopt a final rule under
IC 4-22-2-29 for more than three (3) building codes during any
calendar year. twelve (12) month period.".
Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
and when so amended that said bill do pass.
(Reference is to HB 1637 as introduced.)
BARTELS
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 32
Committee Vote: yeas 10, nays 0.
_____
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was
referred House Bill 1637, has had the same under consideration and
begs leave to report the same back to the House with the
recommendation that said bill do pass.
(Reference is to HB 1637 as printed February 6, 2025.)
THOMPSON
Committee Vote: Yeas 19, Nays 0
_____
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Transportation, to which was referred House Bill No. 1637, has had the
same under consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the
Senate with the recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as
follows:
Page 1, line 9, delete "in" and insert "by".
Page 1, line 10, after "chapter" insert ",".
Page 3, line 20, delete "classified" and insert "confidential".
Page 16, line 23, delete "furnishing" and insert "furnishings".
Page 20, line 15, delete "who" and insert "that".
Page 21, line 1, delete "does" and insert "do".
Page 21, line 13, after "fire service" insert "personnel".
Page 31, line 18, strike "education board" and insert "department".
and when so amended that said bill do pass and be reassigned to the
Senate Committee on Appropriations.
(Reference is to HB 1637 as printed February 13, 2025.)
CRIDER, Chairperson
Committee Vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0.
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 33
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Appropriations, to which
was referred Engrossed House Bill No. 1637, has had the same under
consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the Senate with
the recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as follows:
Page 4, delete lines 13 through 42.
Delete pages 5 through 6.
Page 7, delete lines 1 through 17.
Page 8, line 25, reset in roman "and".
Page 8, line 27, delete "and".
Page 8, delete lines 28 through 31.
Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
and when so amended that said bill do pass.
(Reference is to EHB 1637 as printed March 12, 2025.)
MISHLER, Chairperson
Committee Vote: Yeas 14, Nays 0.
_____
SENATE MOTION
Mr. President: I move that Engrossed House Bill 1637 be amended
to read as follows:
Page 2, line 34, delete "division" and insert "office".
Page 3, line 12, delete ";" and insert "of education;".
Page 13, line 12, after "straw," insert "clean wood,".
Page 13, line 31, delete "1(b)" and insert "1(b)(2)".
Page 14, line 5, delete "However, open".
Page 14, delete lines 6 through 9.
(Reference is to EHB 1637 as printed March 21, 2025.)
BALDWIN
_____
SENATE MOTION
Mr. President: I move that Engrossed House Bill 1637 be amended
to read as follows:
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116 34
Page 26, delete lines 7 through 30.
Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
(Reference is to EHB 1637 as printed March 21, 2025.)
BALDWIN
EH 1637—LS 7685/DI 116