A measure that would ban children under 16 from accessing social media without parental permission passed the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. However, some committee members who support the idea behind the bill say they are concerned about how it will be implemented.

Senate Bill 115 authored by Sen. Rodney Pol (D-Chesterton) would require the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to establish a paid family and medical leave program for Indiana workers.

Companies creating long haul water pipelines would have to get a certificate from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. And if a big water transfer happens between two different water basins — they’d also have to get a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.

Indiana schools will once again be assigned A-to-F letter grades, reinstating an accountability measure that has been paused since the 2020-21 school year.

Cosmetology educators and students told lawmakers this week they don’t want the number of hours required to get a cosmetology license reduced.

Advocates gathered at the Indiana Statehouse Wednesday to rally support for a group of harm reduction bills. One of their priorities — this year's testing strips bill — was heard in a House committee.

Indiana lawmakers are considering a wide-reaching bill that aims to free schools from what they consider irrelevant or excessive regulatory burdens. Many people who testified on the proposal at the House Education Committee Wednesday expressed support for the spirit of the bill. However, some lawmakers and state education leaders want to remove parts of the bill they say go too far.

Indiana law requires licensed practical nursing programs to only accept people who have completed their high school diploma — but lawmakers say removing that requirement could address nursing shortages in the state. A Senate committee moved a bill forward to make it easier for high school students to enroll in those programs.

The measure would codify that governmental entities “may not substantially burden a parent’s fundamental right” to direct the upbringing, religious instruction, education or health care of a child unless it has a compelling interest.

House Bill 1201 bars schools from suspending or expelling students for being chronically absent or habitually truant.