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Large education deregulation bill advances to further amendment; panel restores focus on AED emergency language
Summary
Committee heard lengthy debate on HB 1004, a sprawling Title 20 recodification and deregulation bill, and extensive testimony in support and opposition. Amendment No. 6 to reinsert AED and cardiac emergency-response language drew emotional testimony; the committee will consider amendments and is expected to take further action next Wednesday.
Chairman Behning introduced House Bill 1004 as a large deregulation and recodification effort to "clean up" Title 20 of the Indiana Code, removing redundant or unused statutory language and consolidating provisions across education-related statutes.
Members asked detailed questions about whether the bill moves powers away from the Department of Education or the State Board of Education, possible effects on collective bargaining (with special attention to Gary and Muncie), removal of a 1% cap on remediation tuition support and teacher-contract hours language. The author and staff said the bill mostly moves or resets existing language rather than creating new policy, and that the committee would consider amendments.
Amendment No. 6, which would restore AED and cardiac emergency-response plan language, drew multiple emotional and technical testimonies. Julie West and other parents recounted personal loss and urged clear requirements: AED placement accessible within 1 to 3 minutes, regular maintenance, and annual cardiac-emergency drills. Dr. Adam Keane, a pediatric cardiologist, cited survival statistics and recommended that AED location be determined by school administrators to meet a three-minute response standard.
Stakeholder organizations voiced mixed views: the Indiana School Boards Association and the Indiana Association of School Business Officials supported deregulation but sought clarity on particular sections; ISTA and AFT Indiana warned the bill could affect teacher contractual protections; charter and education-advocacy groups supported code modernization. Committee members requested time to review the 168-page reset document; the Chair said amendments would be considered next Wednesday and adjourned the committee.
