Bill > HB1246

This bill establishes a comprehensive student support program designed to improve school environments, student services, and academic outcomes across Indiana. The program will create a state board composed of 15 diverse members from educational, mental health, and community backgrounds who will oversee annual grants to school corporations and charter schools. These grants aim to fund multidisciplinary student support teams, improve staffing ratios for student support personnel like counselors and social workers, and provide professional development focusing on equity, social justice, and positive school discipline. The program will annually receive $1 million from cigarette tax revenues and will require grant recipients to match 10% of funding and collect detailed data on school discipline, student outcomes, and program effectiveness. Key goals include reducing out-of-school suspensions, addressing disproportionate disciplinary practices, creating collaborative school teams, and implementing trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices. Grants will range from $60,000 to $100,000 per year depending on school size, with strict guidelines about how funds can be used, specifically prohibiting funding for unlicensed or security staff positions.

Education

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1246/details