Senate Bill

SB 448

Higher education and workforce development matters.

In plain English

Requires the commission for higher education to approve or disapprove new degrees, programs, and campuses, and to review each degree or program at least once every 10 years. Requires the secretary of education to develop a plan for a market-driven framework of stackable credentials. Adds duties for the governor's workforce cabinet and the department of workforce development, and makes other changes.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

Establishes additional duties for the governor's workforce cabinet and requires the cabinet to perform certain duties jointly with other state agencies. Requires the Indiana management performance hub, in collaboration with the department of education (department) and commission for higher education (commission), to: (1) collect and compile certain student income data; and (2) compile into a data product on the department's and commission's websites certain data. Requires the secretary of education to establish a plan to develop a market driven stackable credentials and qualifications framework and submit the plan to the general assembly. Provides that the commission shall (instead of may) approve or disapprove certain branches, campuses, centers, new colleges, new schools, degrees, or programs. Provides that before the commission approves or disapproves a degree or program, a state educational institution shall provide, and the commission shall consider, certain information regarding the degree or program. Requires the commission to: (1) review each degree or program for approval or disapproval at least one time every 10 years; (2) outline a process for degree and program monitoring, improvement, suspension, and closure; (3) publish certain information; and (4) take official action regarding the approval or disapproval of certain requests within 90 days. Requires a state educational institution to approve for admission Indiana residents who meet certain requirements. Requires the board of trustees of a state educational institution to do the following: (1) When reviewing tenured faculty members, assess and review the staffing needs of the institution based on the branches, campuses, extension centers, colleges, schools, and degree and programs of the institution. (2) Submit to the commission any review of, renewal of, or amendment to the process or criteria regarding the tenured faculty member review. Requires the commission to promptly review the process and criteria and provide feedback to a board of trustees. Requires the commission to prepare and submit an annual report to the legislative council regarding certain student enrollment data. Adds duties for the department of workforce development.

Latest action: Public Law 138, May 1, 2025Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Greg Goode, Jeff Raatz, Bob Behning

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Lonnie Randolph, Danny Lopez, Alex Burton

Roll-call votes

3 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

Senate · Feb 20, 2025

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 448 - Goode - 3rd Reading

Passed

48 yes1 no1 did not vote

Republicans: 38 yes, 1 noDemocrats: 9 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

House · Apr 15, 2025

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 448 - Behning - 3rd Reading

Passed

75 yes21 no4 did not vote

Republicans: 66 yes, 0 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 8 yes, 20 noIndependents: 1 yes, 0 noNot matched to a current member: 0 yes, 1 no

How each member voted

Yes (75)

No (21)

Did not vote (4)

Senate · Apr 17, 2025

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 448 - Goode

Passed

39 yes3 no8 did not vote

Republicans: 30 yes, 1 no, 8 did not voteDemocrats: 8 yes, 2 noNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.