Indiana schools must reject certain vendor contract terms

Some terms in covered vendor contracts are void and cannot be enforced. The rules cover contracts in which a public school corporation or charter school agrees with a vendor to buy goods or services. A banned indemnity term is one that would make a school cover a vendor's liability for loss or damage caused by the vendor's negligence, intentional acts, or omissions, or those of its directly responsible workers or contractors. Contracts are governed only by Indiana law. The rules apply to vendor contracts entered into, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2026; the section takes effect July 1, 2026.

A public school must let military personnel share information with students in the same manner as a postsecondary school or college. The rule covers public schools, including charter schools, and military personnel sharing information about educational opportunities and financial education benefits for service in the armed forces, National Guard, or their reserve components. This applies when the public school lets a postsecondary educational institution provide students with information about education or training after high school. The section takes effect July 1, 2026.

A public school must provide a day and time for a covered organization to share information with students on school property. The provision covers an organization described in section 3 of the chapter and applies when that organization asks for an opportunity to provide information to students. The school approves the day and time, which may be during the school day or when most students and their families are on school property. If a school refuses the required opportunity, the organization may submit a grievance to the department in the manner the department sets. The school must provide at least one day and time each school year; the section takes effect July 1, 2026.