A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.
Summary
HB 1158 amends Indiana’s existing “good citizenship instruction” statute for public schools. The bill keeps the current list of character and civic values—such as honesty, respect for authority, responsibility, conflict resolution, and respect for the Constitution—and adds a new item requiring instruction on the positive personal and societal outcomes associated with obtaining a high school diploma or equivalency credential, securing full-time employment, and waiting until marriage to begin having children.
The bill also retains the Department of Education’s duty to identify and make available model conflict-resolution instruction for school corporations. In practical terms, it would require public schools to incorporate these additional themes into existing curriculum rather than create a separate course, and it would take effect July 1, 2026.
Impact
HB 1158 would amend IC 20-30-5-6, which governs good citizenship instruction in public schools, by expanding the statutory definition to include instruction on educational attainment, employment, and family formation timing. The bill affects public school curriculum requirements and the Indiana Department of Education’s role in providing model conflict-resolution materials, but it does not create a new program or funding mechanism.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the available context suggests a straightforward policy proposal with no documented public debate in the record supplied here. The bill’s framing indicates support for character education and life-skills messaging, but there is no evidence in the provided context of formal opposition or amendment activity.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the new requirement to teach the positive outcomes of waiting until marriage to have children, which may be viewed by some as a moral or values-based instruction rather than a neutral educational outcome. Another possible area of debate is whether public schools should be directed to include messaging about family formation and employment as part of citizenship instruction, as opposed to limiting the curriculum to civic behavior and conflict resolution. No specific stakeholders or objections are identified in the provided transcripts or vote history.