Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 257
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 20-30.
Synopsis: Civics education. 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). Prohibits certain instruction or discussion from fostering a
national identity, heritage, or culture that is contrary to shared
principles. 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: July 1, 2025.
Deery
January 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career
Development.
2025 IN 257—LS 6777/DI 143 Introduced
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.
SENATE BILL No. 257
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 20-30-5-26 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
3 1, 2025]: Sec. 26. (a) This section applies to each school that
4 provides instruction or discussion on the content described in the
5 following:
6 (1) Section 1 of this chapter.
7 (2) Section 2 of this chapter.
8 (3) Section 4 of this chapter.
9 (4) Section 5(a)(5) of this chapter.
10 (5) Section 6(b)(10) of this chapter.
11 (6) Section 7(a)(3) of this chapter.
12 (7) Section 7.3 of this chapter.
13 (b) The instruction or discussion described in subsection (a)
14 shall:
15 (1) incorporate the universal principles of the Declaration of
16 Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the
17 United States, including the principles of:
2025 IN 257—LS 6777/DI 143 2
1 (A) limited government;
2 (B) separation of powers;
3 (C) checks and balances;
4 (D) federalism;
5 (E) republicanism;
6 (F) popular sovereignty;
7 (G) the rule of law;
8 (H) natural rights; and
9 (I) individual liberty; and
10 (2) foster a national identity, heritage, and culture established
11 by a long-standing aspiration to the principles described in
12 subdivision (1).
13 (c) The instruction or discussion described in subsection (a) may
14 not foster a national identity, heritage, or culture established by:
15 (1) racial identity or racial discrimination;
16 (2) gender identity or gender discrimination;
17 (3) victimization;
18 (4) class struggle;
19 (5) a hierarchy of privileges; or
20 (6) systemic exclusion;
21 that is contrary to the concepts described in subsection (b).
22 (d) Failure of any public school teacher or principal to comply
23 with the requirements of this section constitutes misconduct in
24 office under IC 20-28-5-7.
25 SECTION 2. IC 20-30-5-27 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
26 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
27 1, 2025]: Sec. 27. (a) This section applies to a public school.
28 (b) The governing body of a school described in subsection (a)
29 shall establish:
30 (1) a procedure to permit a:
31 (A) parent of a student enrolled in the school; or
32 (B) community member:
33 (i) within the school district; or
34 (ii) within the school district in which the school is
35 located;
36 to submit a request to the governing body to investigate
37 instruction or discussion that the person believes is not
38 aligned to the instruction or discussion standards described in
39 section 26 of this chapter;
40 (2) a process by which to investigate a request submitted
41 under subdivision (1); and
42 (3) a response and appeal procedure for each request
2025 IN 257—LS 6777/DI 143 3
1 submitted under subdivision (1).
2 (c) If an individual described in subsection (b)(1) submits a
3 request to the governing body and appeals the governing body's
4 decision, the governing body must review the appeal at the
5 governing body's next public hearing.
6 SECTION 3. IC 20-30-16-6.5, AS ADDED BY P.L.200-2021,
7 SECTION 3, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
8 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6.5. The department in accordance with
9 requirements established by the state board shall approve a civics
10 course access program course that:
11 (1) meets the requirements under IC 20-30-5-2(a) and
12 IC 20-30-5-26; and
13 (2) is presented with special emphasis on the items listed in
14 IC 20-30-5-5(a) and IC 20-30-5-6(b).
2025 IN 257—LS 6777/DI 143