HB1515: Education and higher education matters.

Legislative Summary

Education and higher education matters. Provides that accredited nonpublic schools are eligible to participate in the following: (1) The establishment of police departments. (2) The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher recruitment grants. (3) The principal institute. Provides that charter schools are eligible to receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher recruitment grants. Establishes, for three school years: (1) a centralized school facilities pilot program; and (2) a student transportation pilot program. Allows: (1) not more than three applications, as selected by the department of education (department), to participate in the centralized school facilities pilot program; and (2) not more than three applications, as selected by the department, to participate in the student transportation pilot program (pilot programs). Establishes a: (1) local centralized school facilities board; and (2) local student transportation board; for participating school corporations and schools and grants the local boards certain powers and duties. Allows school corporations and schools to opt out of the pilot programs by providing a one year notice. Requires the department of local government finance, in consultation with the department, to prepare and submit reports that include certain recommendations. Establishes a mastery based education pilot program administered by the department. Establishes the Indianapolis local education alliance and requires the alliance to conduct a school facilities assessment and establish a school facilities and transportation implementation plan. Allows a parent of a choice scholarship student or an eligible choice scholarship school on behalf of a parent to petition the department to reconsider the eligibility of a choice scholarship student enrolled in the school if the parent has reason to believe that the student was determined ineligible due to enrollment data inaccuracies reported by a school. Provides that a student must be withdrawn from enrollment in a school corporation's virtual education program if the student accumulates 10 consecutive or 18 cumulative unexcused absences (instead of the number of unexcused absences sufficient to result in the student's classification as a habitual truant). Amends eligibility requirements for the high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant. Establishes the: (1) county deputy prosecuting attorney and public defender scholarship program; and (2) county deputy prosecuting attorney and public defender scholarship fund. Provides that a land use application for any approval that is required by a unit for a public or nonpublic school may not be denied for the sole reason that the requesting entity is seeking to establish a public or nonpublic school. Provides that, if Vigo County transfers or gifts any unencumbered funds to a school corporation, the county executive may establish a local board to have oversight and manage the use of the funds. Provides that the expenses of the local board shall be paid by the county. Requires certain individuals and certain schools to ensure that an AED is operational and present at certain events, and that individuals present at certain events are aware of the location of the AED and emergency plans regarding the use of the AED. Adds a requirement regarding certain school emergency action plans for sudden cardiac arrest. Removes certain sudden cardiac arrest training and certificate of completion requirements. Establishes requirements regarding a standardized admissions test for state educational institutions that offer certain health education programs. Requires a public school provide written notification to an employee and parent of a student not later than 14 days regarding certain unsubstantiated or otherwise dismissed allegations. Requires the department to submit a report to the general assembly on the academic readiness of students who enroll in a virtual school or program. Provides that the state board shall adopt rules regarding financial reporting and oversight required by a school corporation and a vendor who enter into or renew a contract relating to the operation of a dedicated virtual education school. Resolves conflicts.