KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Indiana

SB159 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

Children Education Parental Rights Privacy Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Senator Spencer Deery
Last action
2026-01-28
Official status
Engrossed Senate Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific consequences if schools fail to comply with these requirements.

School Technology Plans and Policies

This bill requires schools to create plans about how they will use technology safely and responsibly, including letting parents control their children's devices when not in school.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires schools to have a plan for ensuring the appropriate use of technological devices during school hours.
  • Allows parents to set stronger filters and block websites or content on their child’s device outside of school time starting January 1, 2027.
  • Prohibits students from using school-provided devices for non-educational purposes during instructional time.

Who It Names or Affects

  • School corporations
  • Charter schools

Terms To Know

Technological Devices
Computers, tablets, and other electronic devices used in school.
Internet Use Policy
Rules set by a school about how students can use the internet on their devices.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if schools do not follow these requirements.
  • It is unclear which specific types of technological devices are covered under this legislation.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SB0159.01.INTR.AMS01

Committee Introduced Senate Bill (S) • Senator Spencer Deery

Filed

Plain English: The amendment adds a new section to the Indiana Code that restricts access to certain websites and online content for students in public schools.

  • Adds a new section to the Indiana Code that limits what types of websites and online content can be accessed by students in public schools.
  • The amendment does not specify which websites or types of content are restricted, leaving details about specific restrictions unclear.
  • It is unclear how this restriction will be enforced or monitored in schools.
SB0159.02.COMS.AMS001

Filed Senate Bill (S) • Senator Spencer Deery

Failed

Plain English: This amendment would add a new section to Indiana's education laws, requiring schools to provide certain information about student data privacy and security.

  • Adds a requirement for schools to inform parents and guardians about the collection, use, and protection of their children’s personal information.
  • The amendment text does not specify all details such as what specific information must be provided or how it should be communicated to parents and guardians.
SB0159.02.COMS.AMS002

Filed Senate Bill (S) • Senator Stacey Donato

Failed

Plain English: This amendment would add a new section to Indiana's education laws, requiring schools to provide information about mental health resources.

  • Adds a requirement for schools to give students and parents information on available mental health services.
  • The exact details of the mental health resources required are not specified in this amendment text.
SB0159.02.COMS.AMS003

Filed Senate Bill (S) • Senator Spencer Deery

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to require schools to provide information about mental health resources to students and parents.

  • Schools must give out information on mental health services available for students.
  • The official text does not specify what kind of information or how it should be provided, which leaves some details unclear.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-28 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Education

  2. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Referred to the House

  3. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 73: yeas 41, nays 3

  4. 2026-01-26 Senate

    House sponsor: Representative Teshka

  5. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Senator Donato added as third author

  6. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  7. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Amendment #3 (Deery) prevailed; voice vote

  8. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  9. 2026-01-06 Senate

    Senator Johnson T added as second author

  10. 2026-01-05 Senate

    Authored by Senator Deery

  11. 2026-01-05 Senate

    First reading: referred to Committee on Education and Career Development

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.
School technology plans and policies.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

School technology plans and policies.

Requires school corporations and charter schools (schools) to include in the school's technology plan a description of the school's plan to: (1) ensure the appropriate use of technological devices in schools; and (2) enable parents of students to exercise control over a student's technological devices while the student is not in school or engaged in virtual instruction or remote learning. Not later than January 1, 2027, requires a school to include in the school's Internet use policy a provision that enables the parent of a student to increase the strength of certain filters, block access to websites or content, and limit the use of certain devices. Creates an exemption from the Internet use policy requirement. Requires a school to include in the school's wireless communication device policy a provision that prohibits a student from using school supplied technological devices for a noneducational purpose during instructional time.