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Citations Affected: IC 20-28.

Synopsis: Sign language interpreters in schools. Requires the advisory board of the division of professional standards of the department of education, before July 1, 2010, to adopt rules setting standards for sign language interpreters working in an educational setting.

Effective: July 1, 2009.

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Lubbers, Sipes

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    January 7, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career Development.
    January 29, 2009, reported favorably _ Do Pass.

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PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

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    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

SOURCE: IC 20-28-2-6; (09)SB0057.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 20-28-2-6, AS AMENDED BY P.L.144-2007, SECTION 18, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009]: Sec. 6. (a) Subject to subsection (c) and in addition to the powers and duties set forth in IC 20-20-22 or this article, the advisory board may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to do the following:
        (1) Set standards for teacher licensing and for the administration of a professional licensing and certification process by the department.
        (2) Approve or disapprove teacher preparation programs.
        (3) Set fees to be charged in connection with teacher licensing.
        (4) Suspend, revoke, or reinstate teacher licenses.
        (5) Enter into agreements with other states to acquire reciprocal approval of teacher preparation programs.
        (6) Set standards for teacher licensing concerning new subjects of study.
        (7) Evaluate work experience and military service concerning postsecondary education and experience equivalency.

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        (8) Perform any other action that:
            (A) relates to the improvement of instruction in the public schools through teacher education and professional development through continuing education; and
            (B) attracts qualified candidates for teacher education from among the high school graduates of Indiana.
        (9) Set standards for endorsement of school psychologists as independent practice school psychologists under IC 20-28-12.
         (10) Before July 1, 2010, set standards for sign language interpreters who provide services to children with disabilities in an educational setting and an enforcement mechanism for the interpreter standards.
    (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), an individual is entitled to one (1) year of occupational experience for purposes of obtaining an occupational specialist certificate under this article for each year the individual holds a license under IC 25-8-6.
    (c) Before publishing notice of the intent to adopt a rule under IC 4-22-2, the advisory board must submit the proposed rule to the state superintendent for approval. If the state superintendent approves the rule, the advisory board may publish notice of the intent to adopt the rule. If the state superintendent does not approve the rule, the advisory board may not publish notice of the intent to adopt the rule.
    (d) The advisory board may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2, including emergency rules under IC 4-22-2-37.1, to establish procedures to expedite the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement under this article of a license or certificate of a person whose spouse serves on active duty (as defined in IC 25-1-12-2) and is assigned to a duty station in Indiana. Before publishing notice of the intent to adopt a permanent rule under IC 4-22-2, the advisory board must comply with subsection (c).