INPEA is once again fully engaged in monitoring education-related bills and advocating for the interests of non-public schools across Indiana. Because this is a non-budget year—and the majority of education bills tend to be regulatory in nature—our work this session has been especially guided by one clear priority: keeping non-public schools out of regulatory bills.

Prior to the session, INPEA spent significant time meeting with key lawmakers and legislative leaders to reinforce the importance of protecting non-public schools from unnecessary regulation. That work is paying off early in the 2026 session, as many education proposals have remained appropriately focused on public schools and have not been expanded to include non-public schools. 

In this legislative update, you’ll note two categories of bills currently on our radar:



1. Bills that directly impact non-public schools. These are proposals that explicitly include non-public schools in their scope and would directly affect school operations, requirements, or opportunities.
2. Bills that do not directly include non-public schools, but could have an indirect impact. These bills may apply only to public schools on paper, but if passed into law they can shape the wider educational landscape and become the norm in Indiana schools. We track these closely to ensure their scope does not shift or expand to include non-public schools.

Bills We Are Following

HB 1004 Various Education Matters is a deregulation bill. No direct effect on non-public schools.

HB 1102 Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy Services does not include non-public schools. It is good to be aware that this will be the norm in public schools for students who transition to school from an ABA center.

HB 1137 Foods and Beverages on School Property does not include non-public schools but it is good for our schools to be aware that this will become the new norm for school lunch programs in Indiana.

HB 1149 Pre-K Care SGO Tax Credit will not move forward in this session because it carries a fiscal burden. The author introduced the bill with hopes to gain momentum towards next year's session. It could benefit our stand-alone preschool programs as well as daycare programs for school staff.

HB 1176 Education Matters would remove the income cap from the SGO tax credit scholarship program. We are hoping to insert language that would expand SGO scholarships to include three-year-old preschool.

HB 1266 Department of Education and Education Matters is a very large bill that does many things, including:

• Moves the date when IDOE can process Choice Scholarships without income documentation from July 1, 2026 to May 1, 2026.
• Makes non-public schools eligible for the teacher residency grant.
• Limits emergency permits to three consecutive years.
• Indiana would opt in to the Interstate Teaching Compact, streamlining teacher licensure reciprocity.
• Expands teacher licensing opportunities for grade 5-12 content area teachers.

HB 1325 Behavioral Intervention and Special Education is not specific to a school type. This bill would create a group to study behavior interventions for special education students.

SB 78 Wireless Communication Device Policy only pertains to public schools. A good bill to keep an eye as it would indirectly affect our schools.

SB 159 School Technology Plans and Policies only pertains to public schools, but one we are keeping an eye on.

SB 161 Education Matters would require Indiana to opt into the federal tax credit scholarship program. Gov. Braun has already said he will do this, but this bill would codify it.

SB 199 Various Education Matters changes the literacy cadre threshold for all types of schools and would restrict social media for minors with no responsibility falling on the schools.

Tune into Our Podcast!

The INPEA Express: Statehouse Edition podcast has returned for its seventh season! For a deeper dive on the bills mentioned above, listen to our first episode of the legislative session at the link below.

Legislative Advocacy Resources

Earlier this month, INPEA hosted a legislative advocacy training webinar. A recording of the webinar and copy of the presentation slides are linked below. 

INPEA’s Legislative Action Center is a great resource for you to find information about the current legislative. Legislative updates, podcast recordings, and other relevant information will be shared here throughout the session. 

We’re Here for You

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or suggestions about the legislative process. INPEA is here to advocate on behalf of our members. Whether that means keeping non-public schools out of regulatory bills or expanding opportunities for our schools, we appreciate your trust in us and will continue to honorably serve as your voice throughout the 2026 session.



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