LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6777 NOTE PREPARED: Dec 19, 2024
BILL NUMBER: SB 257 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Civics Education.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Deery BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill requires certain instruction or discussion to: (1) incorporate the universal
principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the United States;
and (2) foster a national identity, heritage, and culture established by an aspiration to certain shared
principles (shared principles). It also prohibits certain instruction or discussion from fostering a national
identity, heritage, or culture that is contrary to shared principles.
The bill creates a process for a parent or community member to request that a governing body investigate
instruction or discussion that the person believes is not aligned to shared principles.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Department of Education (DOE), State Board of Education (SBOE):
The requirements of this bill impact agency workload, yet should be able to be implemented with existing
staffing and resource levels.
Additional Information - The SBOE, in coordination with the DOE, was required to develop guidelines for
the development of civics curriculum under Public Law 39-2021. This bill adds specific details regarding
civics curriculum instruction, most of which is included in the current DOE academic standards developed
for the sixth grade civics course that was released in advance of the 2023-2024 school year. If standards are
revised to meet the requirements of this bill, workload may be impacted. The bill also adds language for
violations of educators not meeting these requirements that could constitute misconduct under IC 20-28-5-7;
whereas with written recommendation by the Secretary of Education, the DOE may suspend or revoke an
educator license.
Explanation of State Revenues: Licensing Fees: To the extent public school educators are found non-
compliant with the requirements of this bill and experience a license suspension and subsequent renewal,
they may be subject to a licensing fee of $36.72 plus processing fees. Teacher licensing fees are distributed
to the Professional Standards Fund.
SB 257 1 Explanation of Local Expenditures: Investigation Request and Appeal Procedures: Establishing
submission, appeal, and review procedures for a public request for an investigation of instruction, and to
review appealed decisions at the next meeting of the school’s governing body, would increase public schools’
workload and potentially expenditures. The impact is dependent on schools’ decisions and the number of
public requests for investigation they receive.
Civics Education Curriculum: Beginning in FY 2026, public schools may need to adjust time spent on other
areas of instruction in order to incorporate the bill’s requirements into their existing civics education if they
are not currently meeting the bill’s requirements. To the extent any public school educators are found non-
compliant with the requirements of this bill and experience a license suspension, public school staffing and
classrooms may be impacted.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Education, State Board of Education, Secretary of Education.
Local Agencies Affected: Public Schools.
Information Sources: Department of Education Civics Standards and FAQ:
https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Indiana-Academic-Standards-Grade-6-Middle-School-Civics.pdf
https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Grade-6-Civics-Course-FAQ-December-2023.pdf
Fiscal Analyst: Allison Leeuw, 317-234-9465.
SB 257 2