SB 455

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Provides that the state board of education (state board) and the governing body of a school corporation or nonpublic school may not enter into, renew, or otherwise extend a contract to establish a freeway school after June 30, 2020. Provides that provisions relating to the establishment and administration of freeway schools expire July 1, 2025. Establishes new requirements to accredit a public or private school in Indiana. Provides that the following apply to nonpublic schools accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the state board: (1) Indiana secured school fund provisions. (2) Certain sale of school building provisions. (3) Certain textbook assistance provisions. Changes a provision concerning waivers from postsecondary readiness competency requirements that references "nonaccredited nonpublic school" to "nonaccredited nonpublic school that has less than one employee". Repeals a provision that requires the state board to implement a system of recognizing certain education programs of nonpublic schools. Provides that, if a school corporation has noncontiguous attendance area that is surrounded by one or more adjacent school corporations, the school corporation with the noncontiguous attendance area and school corporation or school corporations that surround the noncontiguous attendance area shall have a joint public meeting every three years to determine whether it is in the best interest of the public for the school corporation to have a noncontiguous attendance area. Provides that a school corporation may enter into an agreement to provide free, annual dental screenings to students enrolled in the school corporation. Provides that if a school corporation enters into an agreement to provide free, annual dental screenings to students enrolled in the school corporation, the agreement: (1) must provide for a free, annual dental screening to be offered to each student enrolled in the school corporation in grade 1; and (2) may, at the election of the governing body, provide for a free, annual dental screening to be offered to each student enrolled in the school corporation in kindergarten through grade 12. Provides that the parent or guardian of a child is responsible to the dentist or dental group for the cost of services other than a dental screening. Provides that an agreement between a school corporation and a dentist or dental group must provide that the dentist or dental group shall indemnify the school corporation for all claims and liability arising from the dentist's or dental group's provision of services other than dental screenings. Requires a school corporation to provide notice of the available dental services to parents of students enrolled in the school corporation. Repeals: (1) a provision relating to performance based school accreditation; (2) a provision pertaining to school improvement plans; and (3) a provision pertaining to the recognition of educational programs of nonpublic schools. Makes conforming amendments and technical corrections.