SB 167 requires Indiana school corporations and charter schools to provide seizure-recognition training for certain employees and job applicants. Specifically, anyone seeking employment who will have direct, ongoing contact with children must complete the training before starting work or within 30 days after beginning employment, and current employees with that same level of contact must complete it annually.
The bill defines the training broadly, allowing it to be delivered in person, online, through self-study materials, or by another method approved by the school’s governing body, so long as it aligns with current professional development standards. It also requires that the training be consistent with programs and guidelines developed by the Epilepsy Foundation of America or a successor organization. For employees, the training must occur during the contracted day or at a time chosen by the employee, and it counts toward existing professional development requirements.
Impact
The bill would add a new section to Indiana Code 20-28-3, creating a statewide mandate for seizure-awareness training in public school corporations and charter schools. It affects hiring and ongoing professional development practices for school staff who work directly with children, and it would likely require schools to adopt or verify approved training materials and track compliance for both new hires and current employees. The bill is effective July 1, 2025.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears neutral to favorable toward student safety and staff preparedness. The measure is framed as a practical training requirement rather than a controversial policy change, and its flexible delivery options suggest an effort to reduce administrative burden while improving readiness to respond to seizures in school settings.
Contention
No specific opposition or debate is documented in the provided transcripts or vote history. The most likely points of discussion would be implementation details: the annual training requirement, the need to complete training during a contracted day or at an employee-chosen time, and whether schools can easily align their existing professional development systems with the Epilepsy Foundation-based guidance. Any contention would likely center on workload, scheduling, and compliance costs rather than the underlying goal of seizure preparedness.