EXECUTIVE ORDER: 20-20

FOR: ADDITIONAL EDUCATION MATTERS AND COVID-19

TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME, GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-02 [20200311-IR-GOV200091EOA], which declared a public health emergency exists throughout the State of Indiana as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") outbreak in the United States and a confirmed report that the disease had spread to Indiana, and, on April 3, 2020, after the disease continued to spread throughout our state, I renewed the public health emergency for an additional thirty (30) days;

WHEREAS, since then, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic and, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency with respect to this dangerous virus;

WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, all Indiana schools were provided a twenty (20) day waiver for school closure allowable for use effective immediately and, on March 19, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-05 [20200401-IR-GOV200191EOA] directing all K-12 schools to close through May 1, 2020;

WHEREAS, on April 2, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-16 [20200422-IR-GOV200235EOA] directing all K-12 schools to provide instruction via remote learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year (School Year); to not conduct in-person instruction for the remainder of the School Year; and to keep their school buildings closed except for the purposes described in Executive Orders 20-04 [20200325-IR-GOV200175EOA], 20-05 [20200401-IR-GOV200191EOA], 20-08 [20200401-IR-GOV200194EOA], and as may be described in any future Executive Orders;

WHEREAS, additionally, in Executive Order 20-16 [20200422-IR-GOV200235EOA], I directed the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the executive director of the State Board of Education (SBOE), and all relevant state agencies to consult, finalize, and submit recommendations for my review on April 7, 2020, regarding all other deadlines and requirements for the current School Year set forth in statute and rule as are necessary and appropriate to address in order to implement Executive Order 20-16 [20200422-IR-GOV200235EOA], which accordingly were submitted for my review on April 7, 2020;

WHEREAS, after reviewing these recommendations, it is necessary and appropriate to take additional steps to implement Executive Order 20-16 [20200422-IR-GOV200235EOA] as strict compliance with a number of education-related provisions in statute and rule would prevent, hinder, and/or delay necessary action in coping with this emergency;

WHEREAS, as Governor, I have broad authority and powers under Indiana law to declare and respond to public health emergencies on behalf of our State, including but not limited to: (a) making, amending, and rescinding the necessary orders, rules, and regulations to carry out Indiana's Emergency Management and Disaster Law, Ind. Code ch. 10-14-3; (b) suspending the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business, including the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency if strict compliance with any of these provisions would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency; and (c) using the services and facilities of existing officers, agencies of the state, and of political subdivisions, who shall cooperate with and extend services and facilities to the governor as I may request; and

WHEREAS, light of the above, it is necessary and proper to take further actions to protect the health, safety and welfare of all Hoosiers in connection with the continuing and evolving threat posed by COVID-19, as more particularly described herein;

This Executive Order 20-20 is a supplement to, and deemed to be part of, Executive Orders 20-02 [20200311-IR-GOV200091EOA], 20-16 [20200422-IR-GOV200235EOA], & 20-17 [20200422-IR-GOV200236EOA].

IT IS SO ORDERED.