Mandate: Indiana's health education requirements found in Code 20-30-5-7 (2005) directs school corporations (local school districts) to provide health education without specifying grades, levels, or amounts of instruction. Code 20-30-5-8 (2005) requires that A course in safety education for no less than one full semester shall be taught in the eighth grade of each public and nonpublic school."

Code 20-30-5-9 (2005) mandates that the principles of hygiene and sanitary science shall be taught in the fifth grade of each public school and may be taught in other grades; this instruction must explain the ways of dangerous communicable diseases are spread and the sanitary methods for disease prevention and restriction." Code 20-30-5-10 (2005) says that each school board shall provide in each of their public schools for the illustrative teaching of the spread of disease by rats, flies, and mosquitoes, and its effects, and of disease prevention by the proper selection and consumption of food," again without specifying grade levels or amounts of instruction. It goes on to say, A school official who fails to comply with this section commits a Class C infraction."

Code 20-30-5-15 (2005) requires school corporations to include in the high school health education curriculum instruction regarding breast cancer and testicular cancer as adopted by the state board, including the significance of early detection of these diseases through monthly self-examinations and, in the case of breast cancer, regularly-scheduled mammographies." Code 20-30-5-16 (2005) requires the high school health education curriculum to include instruction regarding the human organ donor program and blood donor program." Finally, 511 IAC 6-7-6.1 (2000) (also found in graduation requirement table) requires students who enter high school in 2000-2001 to complete at least one credit (out of 24) of coursework in health in order to graduate.

Curriculum Content: In December 2002 the Indiana State Board of Education formally adopted the Indiana Academic Standards for Health Education (2007), which is aligned with the National Health Education Standards. Schools are not required to follow a specific curriculum, but the document includes suggested examples.

State Assessment Requirement: None.

Mandate: Code 20-30-5-7 (2005) requires school corporations (local school districts) to provide physical fitness as part of the curriculum. Code 20-30-5-7.5 (2006) requires school corporations to provide daily physical activity in elementary school, which may include recess.  511 IAC  6.1-5-0.6 (2010) requires each school corporation to develop and implement a curriculum for K-12 that includes a pa planned sequence of learning experiences of breadth and depth that each child can apply information about health, nutrition and physical activity. 511 IAC 6.1-5-2.6 (2010) includes physical education in the required curriculum for elementary school.  511 IAC 6.1-5-3.6 includes physical education in the required curriculum for middle school.

State Board of Education 511 IAC 6-7-6.1 (2000) (also found in graduation requirement table) requires two credits of physical education for graduation for all diploma types.

Exemptions: None.

Curriculum Content: The Indiana Academic Standards of Physical Education (2000) provides standards for grades K-12 in physical education.  State Board of Education policy 511 IAC 6.1-5-2.5 includes physical education as a content area for elementary, middle school and high school.

Physical Fitness Assessment: None.

Not specifically required.

 The Indiana Academic Standards for Health Education (2007) recommends minimum health curricula standards and benchmarks for mental, social, and emotional education. Standard 1 recommends students in grades K-10 be taught how to identify aspects of emotional, social, and mental health. Standard 1 also recommends teaching students about the effects of, the interrelation between, and how environments affect physical, social, mental, and emotional health in grades K-10. Standard 3 recommends students be taught coping strategies for handling strong emotions like anger, grief, and anxiety and stress management in grades K-10. Standard 5 recommends students in grades K-9 be taught healthy expression of feelings.

Character Education: Code 20-30-5-5 (2005) requires morals instruction for public and non-public students in grades 1-12. Emphasis shall be placed on subjects such as morality, obedience to the law, courtesy, respect, and honesty.

Mandate: Code 20-30-5-12 (2005) requires that each school "include in its curriculum instruction concerning the disease known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and shall integrate this effort to the extent possible with instruction on other dangerous communicable diseases."

Code 20-30-5-13 (2005) states that "throughout instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, an accredited school shall: teach abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school age children; include that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems; and include that the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and other associated health problems is to establish a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage."

In addition, Code 20-34-3-17 (2005) states that "the state board of education shall provide information stressing the moral aspects of abstinence from sexual activity in any literature that it distributes to schoolchildren and young adults concerning available methods for the prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Such literature must state that the best way to avoid AIDS is for young people to refrain from sexual activity until they are ready as adults to establish, in the context of marriage, a mutually faithful monogamous relationship."

Code 20-34-4-3 (2007) requires schools that enroll grade 6 female students to provide each parent of a female student who is entering grade 6 with information prescribed by the state department of health concerning the link between cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and that an immunization against the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is available. The information must include the following: (1) The latest scientific information on the immunization against the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the immunization's effectiveness against causes of cervical cancer, (2) Importance of a pap smear for the detection of precancerous changes in the cervix to allow for treatment before cervical cancer develops, (3) Information concerning the means in which the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is contracted, and (4) A statement that any questions or concerns concerning immunizing the child against human papillomavirus (HPV) could be answered by contacting a health care provider.

Curriculum Content: A school corporation shall consider the recommendations of the AIDS advisory council concerning community standards on the content of the instruction, the manner in which the information is presented, and the grades in which it is taught. The department, in consultation with the state department of health, shall develop AIDS educational materials." Code 20-34-1-3 (2005) requires each school corporation to establish a 13-member AIDS Advisory Council for the purpose of reviewing materials.

Parental Approval: No state policy.

Not specifically required.

Alcohol: Indiana's health education requirements found in Code 20-30-5-7 (2005) directs school corporations (local school districts) to provide instruction on the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other substances on the human body," without specifying grades, levels, or amounts of instruction. Code 20-30-5-11 (2005) says each school corporation shall for each grade from kindergarten through grade 12 provide instruction concerning the effects that alcoholic beverages have on the human body and society at large." Instruction on alcohol use is suggested in the Indiana Academic Standards for Health Education (2007) at every grade level in elementary, middle, and high school grades.

Tobacco: Code 20-30-5-11 requires each school corporation to provide instruction on the effects of tobacco use on the human body and society at large for grades kindergarten through 12th. Instruction on tobacco use is suggested in the Indiana Academic Standards for Health Education (2007) at every grade level in elementary, middle, and high school grades.

Drugs: Indiana's health education requirements found in Code 20-30-5-7 directs school corporations (local school districts) to provide instruction on the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other substances on the human body," without specifying grades, levels, or amounts of instruction. Code 20-30-5-11 says each school corporation shall for each grade from kindergarten through grade 12 provide instruction concerning the effects that prescription drugs and controlled substances have on the human body and society at large." Instruction on tobacco use is suggested in the Indiana Academic Standards for Health Education (2007) at every grade level in elementary, middle, and high school grades.

Bullying/Harassment: Standard 3 of the Indiana Academic Standards for Health Education (2007) recommends students in grade 1 be taught how to avoid fights with bullies and recommends students in grades 5 and 9 be taught how to handle unwanted sexual attention and sexual assault.

Dating Violence:  Code 20-19-3-10 (2010) requires the Department of Education to develop a model dating violence education curriculum. The Department is required to assist schools with the implementation of dating violence education programs in grades 6-12.

Fighting/Gangs: Standard 5 of the Indiana Academic Standards for Health Education (2007) recommends students in grades K-10 be taught conflict resolution skills. Standard 3 recommends students in grades 1 and 8-10 be taught how to avoid fights and similar threatening situations, how to avoid and report weapons in grade 4, and how to report and handle physical, emotional, and mental abuse in grade 7.

Suicide and Other Self-Abuse Prevention: Not specifically required.

Pre-Service Requirement: HB1019 (2011) requires teachers to be trained in child suicide prevention and how to recognize the warning signs of students considering suicide.   voted to require teachers be trained in child suicide prevention and how to recognize the warning signs of students New teachers must complete the training to receive a license.

Development: The Department of Education, via Code 5-2-10.1-11 (2005), is required to develop an appropriate curriculum and the standards for the school safety specialist training and certification program. The department of education may consult with national school safety experts in developing the curriculum and standards. The curriculum developed must include training in identifying, preventing, and intervening in bullying".

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary or middle grades or high school prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree with a content area in health from an approved program. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a major in health as well as a minor in education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in 515 IAC 8-1-29 (2010).

Professional Development: Every five years, per 515 IAC 1-7-14 (1992), the Indiana Professional Standards Board requires the completion of six approved college semester credit hours, completing approved experiences that earn 90 credential renewal units, or the completion of an approved Professional Growth Plan for license renwal, or completion of the process for certification by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

Pre-service Requirement: Prospective physical education teachers in elementary or middle grades are required to have a bachelor's degree with a content area in physical education from an approved program. Prospective high school teachers are required to have a major in physical education from an approved program. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in 515-8-1-29.1 (2010)

Professional Development: Every five years, per 515 IAC 1-7-14, the Indiana Professional Standards Board requires the completion of six approved college semester credit hours, or the completion of an approved Professional Growth Plan for license renwal, or completion of the process for certification by the national Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

Pre-service Requirement: State Board of Education 511 IAC 4-1.5-1(i)(3) (2000) stipulates that Student services personnel" who provide heath services must hold credentials as a registered nurse. For licensure as a registered nurse, a candidate must have completed an accredited program of registered nursing and passed the NCLEX-RN to meet the licensure requirements outlined in the Indiana Nurse Practice Act, Code 25-23-1.1 (1999). State Board of Education 511 IAC 4-1.5-6 (2000) requires a school corporation to employ at least 1 registered nurse who possesses a bachelor of science in nursing to coordinate health services.

Professional Development: No state policy.

Student-to-Nurse Ratio: State Board of Education 511 IAC 4-1.5-2 (2000) recommends that there be one registered school nurse per 750 students in the corporation.

Pre-service Requirement: Code 34-30-14-4 (1998) requires a school employee to receive training "appropriate for providing the service"  from a licensed practitioner or registered nurse. Before the employee can provide the service, the school must keep on file a written statement from the practitioner or nurse indicating that the employee has received the training.

Professional Development: No state policy.

Pre-service Requirement: For a school counselor's school services license, 515 IAC 8-1-45 (2010) requires a master's degree from an approved school counselor progra or, if already degreed, has completed additional course work from an approved school counselor program. 
To be eligible for a proficient practitioner license, a holder of an initial practitioner license that includes the school counselor content area established under 515 IAC 8-1-45 shall participate in a two (2) year beginning school services residency program per 515 IAC 1-5-3.2. The beginning school services residency program shall:
(1) assist beginning school services personnel in the performance of their duties;
(2) identify skills and practices necessary for excellence in school services; and
(3) require the supervisor to complete an assessment of the performance of the beginning school services personnel. Before May 1 of the second year, the supervisor shall make a determination of whether or not the school counselor successfully completed the residency program.

The Standards for School Counseling Professionals (2002) also provide a detailed list of qualities, attributes, and skills needed as a licensed school counselor.

Professional Development: Every five years (for proficient practitioner license holders) or ten years (for holders of the professional or accomplished practitioner license), per 515 IAC 1-7-14, the Indiana Professional Standards Board requires the completion of six approved college semester credit hours, completing approved experiences that earn 90 credential renewal units, or the completion of an approved Professional Growth Plan for license renewal.

Student-to-Counselor Ratio: State Board of Education 511 IAC 4-1.5-2 (2000) recommends that there be one school counselor per 600 students for grades 1-6 in the corporation and one school counselor per 300 students for grades 7-12 in the corporation for educational and career services. For student assistance services, one school counselor per 700 students in the corporation is recommended.

Pre-service Requirement: In order to practice as a school psychologist in Indiana it is important to know the requirements which are as follows:

• MS Degree in School Psychology, from an accredited university.
• The Student Services License obtained from the Indiana Department of Education Office of Educator Licensing and Development (OLED)

The Standards for School Services Professionals (2002) also provide a detailed list of qualities, attributes, and skills needed as a licensed school services provider. 

Professional Development: The Department of Education 5 year Proficient School Services License must be renewed every 5 years. There are two options for renewing the five year Proficient Practitioner License for school psychologists:
    (1) Completing a Professional Growth Plan (PGP)
    (2) Submission of official transcripts listing completion of six graduate semester hours of college
          or university coursework.

Student-to-Psychologist Ratio: State Board of Education 511 IAC 4-1.5-2 (2000) recommends that there be one master's level school student services professional per 700 students in the corporation for student assistance services.

Pre-service Requirement: In order to practice as a school social worker in Indiana, it is important to know that school social work is a dual-loicensed profession. Requirements are as follows: (1) MSW degree, with a school social work concentration, from an accredited university (IAC 511 4), (2) The Student Services License obtained from the Indiana Department of Education Office of Educator Licensing and Development (OELD) 515 IAC 8-1-48, (3) The LSW or LCSW social work license obtained from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) IC 25-23.6-4.2.

The Standards for School Social Work Professionals (1998) also provide a detailed list of qualities, attributes, and skills required as a licensed school counselor.

Professional Development: The Indiana Department of Education 5 year Proficient School Services License must be renewed every 5 years. There are three options for renewing the five year Proficient Practitioner License for school social workers:

• Completing a Professional Growth Plan (PGP)
• Submission of official transcripts listing completion of six semester hours of college or university coursework.
• Valid copy of the OPLA license.

Student-to-Social Workers Ratio: State Board of Education 511 IAC 4-1.5-2 (2000) recommends that there be one master's level student services professional per 700 students in the corporation.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: A coaching endorsement, in addition to a bachelor's degree, requires 15 semester hours of coursework in the various aspects of athletics and coaching, as specified in 515 IAC 1-1-14 (1992). This endorsement is not required in order to be a coach, but is strongly recommended.

Professional Development: Every five years, per 515 IAC 1-7-14, the Indiana Professional Standards Board requires the completion of six approved college semester credit hours, completing approved experiences that earn 90 credential renewal units, or the completion of an approved Professional Growth Plan for license renewal.

Additional Accountability Requirements: Code 20-26-9 (also known as Act 111, 2006) requires each school board to establish a coordinated school health advisory council and adopt a local wellness policy that takes the advisory council's recommendations into consideration. The advisory council may review the corporation's [district's] wellness policies on an annual basis and suggest changes that comply with the requirements of Section 204. The advisory council must hold at least one hearing at which public testimony about the local wellness policy being developed is allowed.

Additional Content Requirements: Code 20-26-9 instituted nutritional standards for a la carte items and forbids vending machine access for elementary students.

Guidance Materials: The Department of Education's Division of School and Community Nutrition Programs has provided resources, including presentations, on creating, revising, and implementing local wellness policies. Actual district example policies from within and outside the state are also included within the presentations.

Other: None

Food Services: IAC 20-26-9-19 (2006) restricts foods and beverages that are served on the a la carte line of the cafeteria and are not part of federal school breakfast or lunch program. At least 50% of food and beverages choices for sale on school grounds must be better food choices."  Better food and beverage choices" are defined as follows:  (1) Fruit or vegetable drinks that are at least 50 percent juice and do not contain additional caloric sweeteners; (2) water and seltzer that does not contain added caloric sweetners; (3) low and fat-free milk, including non-dairy fortified milk (4) isotomic beverages; (5) foods that contain not more than 30 percent of total calories from fat, not more than 10 percent of total calories from saturated and trans fat, and not more than 35 percent of their weight from sugars not naturally occurring in fruits, vegetables or dairy products.  

In addition, food items that contain more than 210 calories (note: a la carte items not part of the federal school lunch and breakfast program) may not exceed the following portion sizes:  (1) 1.75 ounces for chips, crackers, popcorn, cereal, trail mixes, nuts, seeds, dried fruits and jerkey, (2) 2 ounces for cookies and cereal bars; (3) 3 ounces for bakery items; (4) 3 fluid ounces for frozen desserts; and (5) 8 ounces for non-frozen yogurt.  In addition, any beverage item for sale at school or on the school grounds (through the cafeteria, vending machines or other) may not exceed 20 ounces.  In the case of entrée and side dish items (including onion rings and French fries, the food item available for sale may not exceed the portion of the same item that is served as part of the school breakfast and lunch program.

Adequate Time to Eat: No state policy.

School Breakfast: Code 20-5-13.5 (1993) requires school breakfast in public schools with 25% or more free and reduced lunch eligible students. Code 20-26-9-13 (2005) requires schools that serve lunch and have at least 15 percent free and reduced lunch eligible students, must implement a school breakfast program.

Food Allergies: No state policy.

Farm-to-School: No state policy.

Vending Machines/School Stores: IAC 20-26-9-19 (2006) stipulates that vending machines that dispense food and beverages at elementary schools must not be available to students.  At least 50% of the food items and beverages available for sale at school or on school grounds, including vending machines, must qualify as better choice foods and beverages" (see details under Food Services).

Other Food Sales: No state policy.

School Gardening: No state policy.

General Physical Activity Requirement: No state policy.

Recess Before Lunch: No state policy.

Walking/Biking to School: No state policy.

Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: IAC 20-30-5-7.5 (2006) requires school corporations to provide daily physical activity for students in elementary school consisting of curriculum and programs and may include the use of recess beginning in the 2006-07 school year.

Interscholastic Athletics: No state policy.

Concussion and Sports Related Head Injury: IC 20-34-7 requires the department to disseminate guidelines, information and forms to each school corporation to inform and educate coaches, student athletes, and parents of students athletes of the nature and nature and risk of concussion and head injury to student athletes, including the risks of continuing to play after concussion or head injury. The materials may be disseminated in an electronic format. The statute requires that each year, before beginning a practice for an interscholastic or intramural sport, each high school student athlete and their parent sign an information sheet about the risk of concussion or head injury. The statute requires a high school student athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or a game must be removed from play and may not return until they have been evaluated by a licensed health care provider and given written clearance. The statute provides immunity from liability of civil damages resulting from an act or omission in the rendering of an evaluation for a licensed health care provider acting as a volunteer who in good faith authorizes a student athlete to return to play.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED): No state policy.

IC 5-2-10.1-12 (2006) requires each school to establish a safe school committee.  The committee, with assistance from the department of education and a school corporation's school safety specialist, is required to develop a plan for the school addressing unsafe conditions, crime prevention, school violence, bullying and other issues that prevent the maintenance of a safe school. The plan must also address professional development needs for staff in this area and methods to encourage involvement of the community and students, problem solving and development of relationships.

IC 20-34-2 requires each school to establish a drug-free schools committee.

The Indiana Unsafe School Choice Option (2003) allows public school students who are the victim of a violent criminal offense in or on school grounds immediately before, after, or during school hours, at a school-sponsored function, or on school-funded transportation to transfer to another safe school in the corporation, including a public charter school.

Act 1419 (2009) requires the Department of Education, in consultation with other agencies and parent organizations, to develop a model evidence based plan for improving discipline and behavior within schools. It also requires the governing body of each school corporation to work with parents to develop and review periodically an evidence based plan for improving student behavior and discipline after receiving a model plan developed by the Department.

Fighting/Gangs: Code 20-20-30-8 (2005) requires the department to establish the anti-gang counseling pilot program to provide financial assistance to participating school corporations to establish pilot projects designed to educate students and parents of the extent to which criminal gang activity exists in the school corporation's community, on the negative societal impact that criminal gangs have on the community; and on methods to discourage participation in criminal gangs.

Weapons: Code 20-33-8-16 (2005) allows a student who is identified as bringing a deadly weapon to school or on school property or in possession of a deadly weapon on school property to be expelled for a period of not more than one calendar year. A student brings a firearm or destructive device to school or on school property or possesses a firearm or destructive device on school property must be expelled for a period of at least one calendar year, with the return of the student to be at the beginning of the first school semester after the end of the one-year period.

Drugs and Alcohol: No specific state policy.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Code 20-33-9-13 (2005) requires any individual who has reason to believe that a school employee has received a threat or is the victim of intimidation to make an oral report of this information to local law enforcement.

Bullying/Harassment: Code 20-33-8-0.2 (2005) defines bullying as overt, repeated acts or gestures, including: verbal or written communications, physical acts committed and any other behaviors committed by a student or group of students with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate or harm the other student.  Code 20-33-8-13.5 (2005) requires schools to adopt policies prohibiting bullying on school grounds immediately before or during school hours, immediately after school hours, or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group, off school grounds at a school activity, function, or event, traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event, or using property or equipment provided by the school. Policies must also include provisions concerning education, parental involvement, reporting, investigation, and intervention.

Dating Violence: Code 20-19-3-10 (2010) requires the Department of Education to develop a model policy for dating violence response and reporting.

Hazing: No state policy addressing hazing in the school environment.

Response and Management Plans: State Board of Education 511 IAC 4-1.5-7 (2000) requires every school corporation to develop a crisis intervention plan for the school corporation and each school in the corporation. This plan must include crisis management and intervention provisions and act in concert with the school's and corporation's emergency preparedness plans. 511 IAC 6.1-2-2.5 requires each school corporation to develop a written emergency preparedness plan for the school corporation and each school in the corporation. The requirements of the plan are outlined in the statute.

Reporting Incidents of Violence: Code 20-33-9-10 (2005) requires any individual who has reason to believe that a school employee has received a threat or is the victim of intimidation to report this information. IC 20-34-6-1 (2010) requires each school corporation to submit a report to the department  for the current school year for each school in the school corporation and for the entire school corporation. The report must include information regarding the number of arrests on school corporation property, offenses for which students were arrested on school property, number of contacts with law enforcement personnel from a school employee that have resulted in arrests on school property, arrest statistics, information regarding police officers and security guards employed by the school.

Indiana’s Clean Indoor Air Law, Code 16-41-37 (2003) allows smoking to be restricted to designated areas in schools but prohibits smoking on school buses during the school week.

Code 16-41-37.5-2 (2009) requires the State Department of Health to adopt rules establishing indoor air quality  inspection, evaluation and employee notification program to assist state agencies and schools.  It also require the Department of Health to inspect a school after receiving a complaint about the school's indoor air quality, report the results of the inspection, and identify conditions that could contribute to poor air quality in the school including carbon dioxide, humidity, evidence of mold or water damage and excess dust.  The Department of Health must then provide guidance on the steps the school or state agency should take to address any issues and request a response from the school within 60 days. Code 16-41-37.5-2.5 (2009) requires the Department of Health to distribute a manual of best practices of managing indoor air quality at schools as described in this section. Code 16-41-37.5-3 (2005) establishes the School Air Quality Panel, and requires the panel to assist in developing air quality improvement plans.  It requires the panel to identify and make available to schools best operating practices for indoor air quality.

No state policy specifically addressing schools. However, the Indiana Pesticide Review Board provides recommendations for schools, including a Model Pest Control in Indiana Schools Policy (2001).

Codes 20-26-8-1-20-26-8-2; 20-26-8-13 (2005; 2012) authorize local boards of education of a second or third class city, a town, or a school township, on their own initiative and upon petition per this chapter, to establish and maintain services including community centers, gymnasiums, public playgrounds, and similar activities and accommodations without charge to residents of cities, towns, or townships. Local boards of education may cooperate, by agreement, with other commissioners or boards or school trustees of school townships to provide equipment, supervision, instruction, and oversight required to conduct public educational and recreational activities in and upon other buildings and grounds of public parks and other public buildings and grounds and may use general funds to pay for all expenses associated with the activities. For use of such facilities, a petition must be filed and signed by at least ten percent of the number of those who voted at last general election or by at least 100 freeholders residing in a town or township.

Vision and Hearing: State Board of Education 511 IAC 4-2-1 (1984) requires all school corporations to conduct annual visual acuity screening tests of all students enrolled in grades 3 and 8.  511 IAC 4-2-1.1 requires schoosl to conduct a visual acuity test of children when they enroll in either kindergarten or grade 1 unless an eye care professional requests, in writing, that the child not be tested. 511 IAC 6.1-2-4 requires schools to conduct annual audiometer tests.

Chronic Health Conditions: No state policy.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening: No state policy.

Staff Administration: Code 20-34-3-6 (2005) allows the governing body of each school corporation to appoint one or more nurses who are registered to practice nursing in Indiana who is responsible for emergency nursing care of children when an illness or accident occurs during school hours or on or near school property. Code 34-30-14-1 (1998) disallows school boards from requiring school personnel to administer medication to pupils unless they are employed as a school nurse or physician. Code 34-30-14-2 (1998) does, however, allow a school employee designated by the school administrator after consultation with the school nurse to administer non-prescription medication with written permission of the parent or guardian. The code further protects school employees who act in good faith from liability for civil damages as a result of the administration.

511 IAC 4-1.5-6 requires school corporations to employ at least one registered nurse with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing to coordinate health services. The code also requires schools to provide health services at the elementary and secondary levels.

Staff Administration of Diabetes Medication: Code 20-34-5 (2007) allows school nurses to administer glucagon, insulin, or other emergency treatments prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner to diabetic students with an individual health plan and diabetes management plan.  It also allows for staff members to serve as voluntary health aides after receiving diabetes training, including testing and the administration of medication. A volunteer health aide may perform the tasks necessary to assist a student in carrying out his or her individualized health plan, in compliance with the training guidelines provided in Code 20-34-5 (2007). This includes the administration of glucagon, insulin or other emergency treatments. A volunteer health aide may act to assist a student only if the parent or guardian signs an agreement that authorizes the volunteer aide to assist the student, and states an understanding that the aide is not liable for civil damages for assisting in the student's care. 

Self-Administration of Asthma Medication: Code 20-33-8-13 (2005) permits students with a chronic disease or medical condition to possess and self-administer medication for the chronic disease or medical condition upon the written request of a parent or guardian. The physician must also state in writing that the student has a chronic disease or medical condition for which the physician has prescribed the medication, the student has been instructed on how to administer the medication, and the nature of the disease or medication condition requires emergency administration of medication. Code 34-30-14-6 (2001) declares a school or school board not liable for civil damages as a result of a student's self-administration of medication.

Self-Administration of Anaphylaxis Medication:  Code 20-33-8-13 (2005) permits students with a chronic disease or medical condition to possess and self-administer medication for the chronic disease or medical condition upon the written request of a parent or guardian. The physician must also state in writing that the student has a chronic disease or medical condition for which the physician has prescribed the medication, the student has been instructed on how to administer the medication, and the nature of the disease or medication condition requires emergency administration of medication. Code 34-30-14-6 (2001) declares a school or school board not liable for civil damages as a result of a student's self-administration of medication.

Self-Administration of Diabetes Medication: Code 20-34-5 (2007) allows a student to attend to the management and care of their diabetes, permitting the student has been evaluated and determined to be capable of doing so, as reflected in their individual health plan and diabetes management and treatment plan. This includes the administration of insulin and possession of relevant supplies in any area of the school or school grounds, or at any school related activity.  

Psychotropic Medications: No state policy. 

Storage and Record-keeping: No state policy.

Requirement to Provide Services: 511 IAC 4-1.5-5 (2000) requires school corporations to provide student assistant services at the elementary and secondary levels, including prevention, assessment, intervention, and referral services coordinated by a certified school counselor, psychologist, or social worker.

Identification of Students with Mental or Emotional Disorders: 511 IAC 7-25-2 (2000) requires public and private schools, institutions, and agencies to establish, maintain, and implement written procedures for the location, identification, and evaluation of students for whom a pattern of behavioral or performance concerns within the school setting indicates a need for special education or related services.

Substance Abuse: No state policy.

Suicide Prevention: No state policy.

HIV, STD, and Pregnancy Testing and Counseling: No state policy.

Immunity of Liability: No state policy.

Detailed, current information about immunization requirements by state is maintained by the National Network for Immunization Information. Select your state from the drop down box under "Search for State Vaccine Requirements for School Entry."

Not included in the NNII database are the are the following statutes relating to HPV. Code 20-34-4-3 (2007) requires schools that enroll grade 6 female students to provide each parent of a female student who is entering grade 6 with information prescribed by the state department of health concerning the link between cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and that an immunization against the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is available. Code 20-34-4-5.5 (2007) requires each school that enrolls grade 6 female students to require the parent of a female student entering grade 6 to furnish not later than the 20 school days after the first day of school a written statement prescribed by the state department of health stating that the parent has received the information required under 20-34-4-3 (2007) and that: (1) the student has received or is receiving the immunization; (2) the parent has decided not to have the student immunized; or (3) the parent chooses not to provide the information to the school concerning whether the student was immunized; against the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Also not included in the NNII database are the following requirements. Code 20-34-4-2 gives authority to the State Department of Health to adopt rules requiring immunizations or modify existing schedules. Under this, the rules for 2011-12 school year include immunization of all 6-12 graders against menengitis and pertussis, in addition to a second varicella vaccine.

Exemptions: Codes 20-34-3-2 (2005) and 20-34-3-3 (2005) allow exemption from immunization requirements under the following circumstances: (1) A parent who objects to immunization on religious grounds must deliver a signed statement to the child’s teacher or to the individual who might order immunizations, or (2) A physician certifies that a particular required immunization(s) is or may be detrimental to the child’s health.

No state policy.

Code 16-41-9-3 (1993) allows the local health officer to exclude a student “who has a dangerous communicable disease that (1) is transmissible through normal school contacts; and (2) poses a substantial threat to the health and safety of the school community.

No state policy. However, Indiana offers grants for alternative programs that may serve pregnant or parenting students.

511 IAC 7-27-6 (2000) requires an individualized education program to contain statements of any special education or related services provided to a student. The definition of related services" includes school health services and can be found in 511 IAC 7-28-1 (2000).

20-34-5 (2007) requires a diabetes management and treatment plan for each student with diabetes.  The plan must be developed and signed by the student's licensed healthcare professional and parent and submitted to the school nurse.  It must identify services and procedures the student needs to receive at school and evaluate their understanding of diabetes and evaluate their ability to manage. 

20-34-5 (2007) requires the development of an individualized health plan for each student with diabetes while the student is at school or participating in a school activity.  The individualized health plan must incorporate the components of the student's diabetes management and treatment plan.

State-level: IC 20-26-9-18 (2006) requires each school board to establish a coordinated school health advisory council to review the district's wellness policies on a yearly basis and provide suggestions to the school board.

Local-level: IC 20-34-1-3 (2005) requires each governing body of a school corporation to establish an AIDS Advisory Council.

IC 20-34-2-2 (2005) requires the governing body of each school corporation shall establish a drug-free schools committee for each school in the school corporation.

511 IAC 4-1.5-8 (2000) states that districts may have a program management activity at the school or corporation level to ensure Student Services.

IC 20-26-9-19 (2006) requires each local school board to establish a coordinated school health advisory council.  The council must annually review the corporation's wellness policies.

State-level: No state policy.

Local-level: 511 IAC 4-1.5-5 (2000) requires school corporations to provide student assistant services at the elementary and secondary levels, to be coordinated by a certified school counselor, psychologist, or master's level social worker.

511 IAC 4-1.5-8 (2000) does give responsibility of managing a student services program to an individual who holds a credential in student services or an administrator.

Student Health-Related Records: All personally identifiable information, including health information, regarding a student with a disability is confidential under 511 IAC 7-23 (2000). Further, 511 IAC 4-1.5-3 (2000) states all records shall be maintained, released, and destroyed following FERPA and Code 5-14-3, the Indiana Public Records Act.

Student Health-Related Services: Code 20-28-10-17 (2005) states that a school counselor is immune from disclosing privileged or confidential communication made to the counselor as a counselor by a student. the matters communicated are privileged and protected against disclosure". Code 25-23.6-6-1 states that matters communicated to a counselor in the counselor's official capacity by a client are privileged information and may not be disclosed by the counselor to any person, except under specific circumstances outlined in the statute.