Bill > HB1282

This bill modifies Indiana's compulsory school attendance laws by lowering the age at which students are required to attend school from seven to six years old, specifically starting at the beginning of the fall school term in the school year when the student turns six on August 1. The changes impact multiple sections of Indiana Code, including provisions related to compulsory attendance, choice scholarships, and eligible student definitions. Parents will now have less flexibility to delay school enrollment, as children will be required to attend school one year earlier than under the previous law. The bill allows parents to request an exemption if they intend to enroll their child in a nonaccredited, nonpublic school or provide equivalent home instruction, but this exemption now applies to six-year-olds instead of seven-year-olds. Additionally, the bill updates various references to school age requirements across different sections of educational statutes, changing the reference date from October 1 to August 1 for determining a student's age for eligibility in educational programs. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving schools and families time to prepare for the new requirements.

Education

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1282/details