Senate Bill

SB 204

Various education matters.

In plain English

Allows people licensed to teach in charter schools to qualify for an initial practitioner teaching license under certain conditions, and removes a science, technology, engineering, or math bachelor's degree requirement from some license pathways. Bars students in health profession programs from being required to get immunizations for clinical training if they or a parent object on religious grounds. The bill repeals several reports 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

Provides that an individual who has obtained a license to teach in a charter school may be eligible to obtain an initial practitioner professional educator license under certain conditions. Removes a requirement that an individual must hold a bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics as a component of certain pathways to receive an initial practitioner license. Provides that academic needs based salary increases may not: (1) apply to all eligible teachers in a bargaining unit uniformly; or (2) be based on certain other factors. Repeals the: (1) state educational institution (institution) annual report to the legislative council (council) and commission for higher education (commission) concerning financial aid; (2) commission report to the general assembly concerning certain institution information; (3) student athlete cardiac arrest provisions; and (4) Ivy Tech Community College report to the budget committee concerning campus information. Expires certain physical facilities reporting requirements on June 30, 2029. Provides that a state educational institution that has been denied approval to continue a degree program may: (1) permit students to enroll in the degree program until June 1 of the year following the denial; and (2) provide students enrolled in the degree program with the opportunity to finish their degree prior to the degree program's closure. Requires the commission to submit an annual report concerning degree program closures to the general assembly. Changes the reporting of disclosable gifts to January 31 and July 31 of a given year (current law requires disclosure on January 1 and July 1 of a given year). Changes certain amounts concerning construction, land purchases, and repair and rehabilitation by an institution to $3,000,000. Voids a provision in the Indiana Administrative Code. Requires each institution to submit a report annually to the budget committee and the commission for higher education listing certain capital projects for the immediately preceding full calendar year that did not receive review by the commission. Specifies the contents of the report. Provides that a student enrolled in a health profession education program may not be required to receive an immunization as a condition of: (1) participating in; or (2) obtaining; clinical training or clinical experience required by the program if a parent of the student or student objects on religious grounds. Adds requirements regarding the principles of the core transfer library.

Latest action: Public Law 150, March 12, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Spencer Deery, Greg Goode, Hunter Smith

Roll-call votes

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

Senate · Jan 26, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 204 - Deery - 2nd Reading

Failed

8 yes36 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 1 yes, 36 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 7 yes, 0 no, 3 did not vote

How each member voted

Senate · Jan 27, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 204 - Deery - 3rd Reading

Passed

33 yes12 no4 did not vote

Republicans: 33 yes, 3 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 0 yes, 9 no, 1 did not vote

How each member voted

House · Feb 24, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 204 - Smith H - 3rd Reading

Passed

68 yes28 no4 did not vote

Republicans: 67 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 0 yes, 28 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (68)

No (28)

Did not vote (4)

House · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 204 - Smith H

Passed

66 yes28 no6 did not vote

Republicans: 65 yes, 0 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 0 yes, 28 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (66)

No (28)

Did not vote (6)

Senate · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 204 - Deery

Passed

35 yes15 no

Republicans: 35 yes, 5 noDemocrats: 0 yes, 10 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.