Bill > HB1338

This bill makes several changes to Indiana law regarding charter schools, primarily by replacing the term "sponsor" with "authorizer" throughout the relevant statutes, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of entities that approve and oversee charter schools. It also expands the types of entities that can serve as an "authorizer," introduces the concept of an "education service provider" to define organizations that contract with charter schools for educational or management services, and establishes new requirements for charter school contracts, including provisions for contract renewal and termination. Additionally, the bill modifies rules for charter school meetings, allowing for electronic participation under certain conditions, and updates provisions related to the state examiner's oversight of charter school finances, ensuring examinations are relevant to public money usage. The bill also introduces a new definition for "authorizer" and repeals the definition of "sponsor," formalizes the process for charter school authorizers to receive and share student and performance data, and outlines procedures for charter school closure and authorizer decommissioning. Finally, it amends existing laws to ensure charter schools comply with accounting system requirements and clarifies the process for converting existing public schools into charter schools.