Parents could face charges for withholding warnings before school offenses

A parent, guardian, or custodian would commit a Class A misdemeanor by deliberately failing to alert police when the listed conditions are met. The child must commit an offense or delinquent act that injures someone, or the offense of dangerous firearm possession, on school property or a school bus. The adult must know or reasonably should know that the child plans an offense that may hurt someone or involve a firearm, and must knowingly or intentionally fail to notify police. If the child's offense or delinquent act seriously injures someone, the adult would commit a Level 6 felony instead. This provision would take effect July 1, 2026.

Teachers would count as public safety officials under the battery law's listed felony penalties. This applies to battery against a teacher who is carrying out official duties. Under this rule, battery would be a Level 6 felony, or a Level 5 felony if it injures the teacher. These penalties do not apply through the public safety official rule when the person who committed battery was detained or committed under Indiana Code 12-26. The teacher provision would take effect July 1, 2026.