IndianaIndiana law groups definitions and sets school audio recording rules
Starting July 1, 2026, Indiana law groups key definitions and requires public school districts and charter schools permitting personal learning recorders to bar disciplinary use of recordings.
What it does
Indiana law uses separate chapters to explain terms used in transportation, human services, and family and juvenile cases. Some definitions apply only to specific laws.
Students may use unobtrusive recorders designed mainly for spoken audio notes or learning help, but schools may restrict possession and use. Exceptions cover disability plans, documented medical conditions managed under licensed health care providers’ orders, authorized emergencies, and needed translation.
Public school districts and charter schools that permit personal learning recorders must prohibit using those recordings to discipline, evaluate, or supervise students or school employees.
Argument forAudio notes could help students review lessons, while school rules can limit when and where recording happens.
Argument againstClassroom audio recordings could capture classmates’ voices, leaving schools to manage consent and rules for keeping or deleting recordings.
More detail
Indiana law groups legal definitions in three separate chapters. The chapters cover transportation, human services, and family and juvenile laws. Definitions that name particular laws apply within those stated limits. These definition chapters take effect July 1, 2026.
Students may use unobtrusive recorders designed mainly to capture spoken audio for their own educational notes or learning help. These rules cover district public schools and charter schools. Devices cannot capture, store, or send images or video. Devices must remain visible to school staff and be available for inspection. Use must follow laws governing consent to audio recording. School restrictions must honor disability plans, use needed to manage a documented medical condition under an order from a licensed health care provider, emergency use authorized by the superintendent or a designee, and necessary translation. This section takes effect July 1, 2026.
Public school districts and charter schools permitting personal learning recorders must prohibit certain uses of the recordings. The requirement applies to public school districts and charter schools whose policies permit these devices. The protection covers recordings made under the rules for a student’s personal notes or learning help. This school-policy requirement takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 12Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Mar 12Public Law 145Major
- Mar 6Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Mar 5Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Mar 3Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 27Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 432: yeas 92, nays 0
- Vote recorded SB 80 - Engleman. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded SB 80 - Freeman. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 27Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 333: yeas 46, nays 1
- Feb 27CCR # 1 filed in the HouseMinor
- Feb 27CCR # 1 filed in the SenateMinor
- Feb 19House conferees appointed: Engleman, Garcia Wilburn
- Feb 19Senate dissented from House amendments
- Feb 19Senate advisors appointed: Randolph Lonnie M, Alexander
- Feb 19Senate conferees appointed: Freeman, Taylor G
- Feb 19House advisors appointed: Meltzer, Burton
- Feb 18Motion to dissent filedMinor
- Feb 10Returned to the Senate with amendmentsMinor
- Feb 9Third reading: passed; Roll Call 208: yeas 94, nays 0Passed House
- Vote recorded SB 80 - Engleman - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 3Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 20First reading: referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 9Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 8Third reading: passed; Roll Call 15: yeas 48, nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded SB 80 - Freeman - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 8House sponsor: Representative Engleman
- Jan 6Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- 2025
- Dec 10Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Dec 8First reading: referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Dec 8Authored by Senators Freeman, Taylor GIntroduced
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