summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
04/07/2025
04/07/2025
Crossed Over
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
Passed
04/15/2025
04/15/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/06/2025
05/06/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Unlawful discrimination. Repeals provisions concerning university diversity committees. Prohibits unlawful discrimination in education, public employment, and licensure. Allows participation in public contracts by a minority business enterprise, women's business enterprise, and veteran business enterprise, as currently authorized by law. Permits scholarships based on a personal characteristic of the recipient if the scholarship is not funded by state funds or resources, and permits the renewal of specified state funded minority teaching scholarships for those recipients who were initially awarded the scholarship before July 1, 2025. Changes the criteria for certain state funded teaching scholarships from minority status to residence in an underserved county and an agreement to teach in an underserved county. Prohibits requiring as a condition of licensure that a person affirm that a person with a certain personal characteristic: (1) is inherently superior or inferior to a person with a different personal characteristic; (2) should be blamed for actions committed in the past; or (3) has a moral character that is determined by a personal characteristic of the person. Prohibits a public employer from requiring training asserting that, or implementing the theory that, a person with a certain personal characteristic: (1) is inherently superior or inferior to a person with a different personal characteristic; (2) should be blamed for actions committed in the past; or (3) has a moral character that is determined by a personal characteristic of the person. Permits a person injured by a violation to bring a civil action for actual damages, court costs, and injunctive relief.
AI Summary
This bill modifies several aspects of Indiana's education and employment policies, primarily focusing on changing diversity-related scholarship programs and establishing new guidelines for preventing discrimination. Specifically, the bill redefines scholarship eligibility for minority teaching programs, shifting the criteria from minority status to residency in specific "underserved counties" (Allen, Marion, Lake, St. Joseph, and Vanderburgh Counties). The bill repeals existing requirements for diversity committees at various educational institutions and introduces a new article on unlawful discrimination that prohibits educational institutions, public employers, and licensing bodies from taking actions based on personal characteristics such as race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or ancestry. It also forbids requiring individuals to attend training or affirm statements that suggest any personal characteristic makes a person inherently superior, inferior, or morally determined. The bill allows individuals who believe they have been discriminated against to bring civil actions for damages and injunctive relief, and requires the budget agency to provide a report on the financial impact of these new provisions by December 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill preserves existing scholarships for recipients initially awarded before July 1, 2025, and permits scholarships based on personal characteristics if they are not funded by state resources.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (10)
Gary Byrne (R)*,
Tyler Johnson (R)*,
Scott Alexander (R),
Blake Doriot (R),
Chris Jeter (R),
Shane Lindauer (R),
Randy Maxwell (R),
Wendy McNamara (R),
Jim Tomes (R),
R. Michael Young (R),
Last Action
Public Law 196 (on 05/06/2025)
Official Document
bill text
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bill summary
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