HB1136

Help Indiana PTA Fight Against HB1136

Read HB1136 Here
Track HB1136 - As it moves through the General Assembly
Stay up to date with the Education Committee's activities
Visit the Indiana General Assembly's Main Website
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HB1136 is not the only bill currently in the Indiana General Assembly that could pose a threat to public schools in the state. A range of proposed legislation, including measures to expand school voucher programs, increase funding for charter schools, privatize public school services, and regulate curriculum content, has raised concerns among advocates for public education. These bills collectively risk diverting critical resources away from public schools, reducing accountability in the education system, and widening inequities in access to quality education. For these reasons, and many more, we need to keep an eye on, and speak out against, House Bills 1002 and 1501.

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ADDITIONAL LINKS

Read House Bill 1136 Here

Track HB1136 - As it moves through the General Assembly

Stay up to date with the Education Committee's activities

Visit the Indiana General Assembly's Main Website

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What is a House Bill?

A House bill is a legislative proposal introduced in the Indiana House of Representatives, which is one of the two chambers of the Indiana General Assembly (the state's legislative body). The process for a House bill in Indiana is similar to the general legislative process, where the bill is introduced, reviewed, debated, and voted on by the members of the House before moving to the Indiana Senate for consideration.

House bills in Indiana can cover a wide range of issues such as education, healthcare, taxes, criminal justice, and more, depending on the needs and priorities of the state.

What is HB1136

Indiana House Bill 1136 (2025) is a proposed piece of legislation that addresses the minimum student enrollment requirements for public school districts in Indiana. Specifically, it deals with the circumstances under which a public school district could be required to close or merge with another district based on student enrollment numbers.

How can you help Indiana PTA fight HB1136?

1. Contact Your State Legislators and Education Committee Members

Reach Out to Your Representative: Contact your Indiana House Representative and express your opposition to HB 1136. Explain how the bill might negatively impact your community, school, or district. Personalizing your message to reflect local concerns can be more persuasive, though we do have sample letters linked on this page.
Contact Your State Senator: Although the bill starts in the House, it will also need to pass through the Indiana State Senate. You can contact your State Senator to let them know you oppose the bill and to ask them to vote against it if it reaches the Senate.
Contact the Education Committee Members: Stay up to date with their schedule, get their contact information, and learn more about proposed bills here.
Find Your Legislators Here.
*Please note: k12.in.us email addresses may be blocked in their system. We recommend using personal email addresses

2. Attend Public Hearings and Committee Meetings

Public Testimony: Bills like HB 1136 often go through committee hearings before being debated in the full House. Attend these hearings (either in person or virtually) to voice your concerns. Many times, the public can give testimony during these meetings.
Submit Written Testimony: If you cannot attend in person, check with the committee on how to submit written testimony or comments. This allows you to make your position known to lawmakers.

3. Organize, Collaborate With, or Join Advocacy Campaigns

Petitions: Start or join a petition to oppose HB 1136. A petition can show lawmakers that there is significant public opposition to the bill. You can use platforms like Change.org or iPetitions to gather signatures.
Organize Rallies and Events: Work with local organizations or community groups to organize rallies or events that show opposition to the bill. Make sure to publicize these events through social media, local news outlets, and flyers.
Engage Local School Districts: If you are part of a local school district or community that will be directly impacted by the bill, encourage your school board or parent-teacher associations (PTAs) to take a stand and speak out against the bill.
Collaborate with Education Organizations: Partner with local, state, or national education advocacy organizations that oppose the bill. These groups often have established networks, lobbying experience, and resources to amplify your efforts.
Teacher Associations and Unions: Organizations like the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) or local teachers' unions may be concerned about the impacts of HB 1136 and could support efforts to stop the bill. Contact them to see how they might help.

4. Engage on Social Media AND In Person

Raise Awareness on Social Media: Use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to spread the word about HB 1136 and your opposition to it. Use relevant hashtags (e.g., #StopHB1136, #IndianaSchools) and tag lawmakers in your posts.
Create and Share Content: Share stories, infographics, and videos that explain why you oppose the bill. The more people are informed, the more likely they are to get involved.
Organize Online Campaigns: You can organize online letter-writing campaigns or email-bombing efforts, where a group of people sends emails to lawmakers urging them to vote against the bill.
Engage Your Community: Talk to neighbors, friends, and local organizations to raise awareness about HB 1136 and build a grassroots movement. The more people who are aware of the bill and its potential consequences, the greater the chances of stopping it.

5. Monitor the Legislative Process

Track the Bill’s Progress: Regularly check the Indiana General Assembly website for updates on HB 1136. Watch for key dates such as when it is scheduled for committee hearings, debates, and votes.
Contact Legislators Before Key Votes: If the bill is approaching a critical vote, contact your representative and senator again to remind them of your opposition. Last-minute calls and emails can sometimes sway undecided lawmakers.

  Track HB1136 - As it moves through the General Assembly
  Stay up to date with the Education Committee's activities
  Visit the Indiana General Assembly's Main Website

What process does a House Bill follow?

Here is a simplified overview of the legislative process for a House bill in Indiana:

Introduction: A member of the Indiana House of Representatives introduces the bill. It can be a new proposal or an amendment to existing law.
First Reading: The bill is read for the first time and assigned to a relevant committee for further review.
Committee Consideration: The committee examines the bill, holds hearings if necessary, and can amend it before voting on whether to send it to the full House.
Second and Third Readings: If the committee approves the bill, it is brought back to the House for further debate and voting. The second reading involves general discussion, and the third reading is typically a final debate before a vote.
Passage in the House: If the bill passes the House, it is sent to the Indiana Senate for consideration.
Senate Process: The bill goes through a similar process in the Senate—committee review, debate, and vote.
Governor's Approval: If the Senate approves the bill, it is sent to the Governor of Indiana for signing. The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

If the governor vetoes the bill, the legislature may attempt to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate.

Track HB1136 - As it moves through the General Assembly
Stay up to date with the Education Committee's activities
Visit the Indiana General Assembly's Main Website