Wins From the 2025 Legislative Session!
Last week, Indiana’s 2025 Legislative Session came to an end when the Senate adjourned at 1:40 a.m. Friday morning following a marathon session to wrap up this year’s business. We previously emailed you about two important bills we successfully passed through the Indiana House and Senate that will help protect our key values of faith, family, and freedom. Those bills only scratched the surface of what IFI was able to accomplish during the session. Below are five bills that were at the top of our legislative priority list that passed through both the House and Senate and are now either awaiting Governor Mike Braun’s signature or have already been signed into law.
House Bill 1412 – “Reporting of Child Abuse or Neglect”
This deeply important bill would define abuse and neglect more narrowly so parents cannot be accused of abuse for calling their children by biologically accurate pronouns rather than by the child’s preferred “gender identity.” This bill would prevent the injustice that the Cox family experienced when their son was permanently removed from their custody because they wouldn’t acknowledge his new “identity” as a girl. We hope other families are protected from that grave injustice with the provisions established in HB 1412.
Senate Bill 442 – “Instruction Concerning Human Sexuality”
This measure would require school boards to approve any teaching on human sexuality before it is included in the curriculum and the material must be posted online “in a conspicuous place” so parents can access it. This common-sense bill would help strengthen parental rights and ensure schools are transparent about what is being taught to students.
Senate Bill 289 – “Limitations On Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion”
This bill would prohibit K-12 schools from teaching or promoting to students the idea that “one race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior to another.” It would also restrict state educational institutions and other agencies from running DEI programs, and bar state funding from institutions that require or advocate for DEI training.
The following bills have already been signed into law by the governor:
House Bill 1348 – “Fairness for Homeschool Graduates”
This law prohibits state employers, colleges, and universities from requiring prospective employees or students to take extra skill tests if they were homeschooled. The bill establishes that a high school diploma or credential issued by a nonaccredited nonpublic school is legally sufficient to demonstrate that the recipient has met the requirements to complete high school. This is a win for educational freedom in Indiana!
House Bill 1102 – “Faith-Based Preschool Programs”
This statute removes language restricting school corporations from entering into a contract with a religiously affiliated nonprofit preschool program. This is great news for Christian families in our state who want their children’s early education to reflect the biblical values they learn at home.
Once again, thank you for your prayers, financial support, and activism throughout the session. We are incredibly encouraged by the numerous pro-family bills that passed. Please consider partnering with us financially so we can continue to fight for your values throughout the rest of the year. The session is over, but there is much more work to be done.