A controversial measure that would allow public schools to hire chaplains advanced past the Indiana Senate this week. Democrats raised concerns about the bill’s definition of chaplain and testimony against the bill during committee, but Republicans passed it anyway.

The latest plan will have the greatest impact on school districts in 2028, with an estimated reduction of more than $183 million in property tax revenue.

School administrators could be required to earn new literacy endorsements under a measure that advanced in the House Wednesday. In addition to expanding literacy endorsement requirements, the bill also carves out exceptions in the state’s reading retention law for some English language learners.

House Bill 1041 bans Indiana public and private higher education institutions from allowing transgender women to compete in sports.

Hoosiers have an estimated $2.2 billion of medical debt in collections — with even more on payment plans and credit cards. A Senate committee approved legislation Wednesday that introduces a variety of consumer protections against medical debt, including how hospitals create payment plans.

School board candidates would be forced to have a partisan label on the general election ballot under legislation approved by a House committee Wednesday.

House Bill 1285 still includes a requirement that every Indiana school building has a staff member available to de-escalate behavior in situations where students may be secluded, restrained or put in timeout.

IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said the proposed revenue shift in Senate Bill 518 could force the district to close at least 20 schools.

The Indiana Senate advanced SB 442 Tuesday. It would require school boards or charter authorizers to approve all instruction materials related to human sexuality and post those materials to the school’s website by July 1.

Medicaid recipients in Indiana could have more access to birth control under legislation passed by a House committee. However, advocates said an amendment limits people’s options to just a few birth control methods.