Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 531
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 20-24-5.5-1; IC 20-33-8.
Synopsis: Ban on corporal punishment in schools. Prohibits the use of
corporal punishment on certain students. Allows the use of reasonable
and necessary force in certain situations.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Ford J.D.
January 16, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career
Development.
2025 IN 531—LS 6607/DI 152 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. 531
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 20-24-5.5-1, AS ADDED BY P.L.179-2016,
2 SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 1. (a) A charter school shall:
4 (1) establish written discipline rules, which must include a
5 graduated system of discipline and may include:
6 (A) appropriate dress codes; and
7 (B) if applicable, an agreement for court assisted resolution of
8 school suspension and expulsion cases;
9 for the charter school; and
10 (2) publicize the discipline rules within the charter school where
11 the discipline rules apply, which may include:
12 (A) making a copy of the discipline rules available to students
13 or parents, guardians, or custodians of students; or
14 (B) delivering a copy of the discipline rules to students or
15 parents, guardians, or custodians of students.
16 The publicity requirement is satisfied if the charter school makes a
17 good faith effort to disseminate the text or substance of the discipline
2025 IN 531—LS 6607/DI 152 2
1 rules to students or parents, guardians, or custodians of students
2 generally.
3 (b) Discipline rules established under this section shall not
4 permit a student to be subject to corporal punishment by charter
5 school personnel.
6 (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), charter school personnel
7 may use reasonable and necessary force:
8 (1) to stop or prevent an act that threatens physical injury to
9 any person;
10 (2) to obtain possession of a weapon or dangerous object that
11 is in a student's control; or
12 (3) in self-defense.
13 SECTION 2. IC 20-33-8-8, AS AMENDED BY P.L.188-2023,
14 SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
15 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 8. (a) Student supervision and the desirable
16 behavior of students in carrying out school purposes is the
17 responsibility of:
18 (1) a school corporation; and
19 (2) the students of a school corporation.
20 (b) Except as provided in subsection (e), in all matters relating to
21 the discipline and conduct of students, school corporation personnel:
22 (1) stand in the relation of parents to the students of the school
23 corporation;
24 (2) have the right to take any disciplinary action necessary to
25 promote student conduct that conforms with an orderly and
26 effective educational system, subject to this chapter; and
27 (3) have qualified immunity with respect to a disciplinary action
28 taken to promote student conduct under subdivision (2) if the
29 action is taken in good faith and is reasonable.
30 (c) Students must:
31 (1) follow responsible directions of school personnel in all
32 educational settings; and
33 (2) refrain from disruptive behavior that interferes with the
34 educational environment.
35 (d) In accordance with subsection (b), a school corporation may
36 adopt a policy concerning student dress code or distractive behavior.
37 (e) School corporation personnel shall not subject a student to
38 corporal punishment.
39 (f) Notwithstanding subsection (e), school personnel may use
40 reasonable and necessary force:
41 (1) to stop or prevent an act that threatens physical injury to
42 any person;
2025 IN 531—LS 6607/DI 152 3
1 (2) to obtain possession of a weapon or dangerous object that
2 is in a student's control; or
3 (3) in self-defense.
4 SECTION 3. IC 20-33-8-8.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
5 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
6 1, 2025]: Sec. 8.5. (a) This section applies to a state accredited
7 nonpublic school.
8 (b) A state accredited nonpublic school shall not subject a
9 student to corporal punishment.
10 (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), state accredited nonpublic
11 school personnel may use reasonable and necessary force:
12 (1) to stop or prevent an act that threatens physical injury to
13 any person;
14 (2) to obtain possession of a weapon or dangerous object that
15 is in a student's control; or
16 (3) in self-defense.
17 (d) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to
18 implement this section.
2025 IN 531—LS 6607/DI 152