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Bill would allow public school corporations to contract with religious‑affiliated providers for pre‑K seats
Summary
House Bill 1102 would remove an existing prohibition on public school corporations partnering with religiously affiliated institutions to deliver pre‑K services. Supporters said the change would expand provider capacity for state pre‑K programs; witnesses from United Way Central Indiana and the Indiana Chamber urged enactment. No opposition
Representative John Commons presented House Bill 1102 to the Senate Education and Career Development Committee, saying the measure would permit public school corporations to enter contracts with religious‑affiliated institutions to provide pre‑K services.
Commons emphasized the change is permissive, not compulsory: school corporations would be able to contract if they choose, but parents would not be required to send a child to a religious‑affiliated provider. "All this bill does is strike" the statutory prohibition, Commons said, and proponents told the committee the change would expand available seats for pre‑K programs such as On My Way Pre‑K, where waiting lists exist.
Sam Sneidman of United Way Central Indiana testified briefly in support, saying the optionality could help expand slots across communities. "In the interest of time, good bill should pass," Sneidman said. Jeff Brantley of the Indiana Chamber said adding providers is a reasonable way to increase capacity while On My Way Pre‑K waits for funding and urged support.
No witnesses testified in formal opposition during the hearing recorded in the transcript. Representatives and committee members raised no additional amendments during the session; the bill will return to committee for future consideration. No final vote was recorded in the transcript.
