Senate Bill
SB 159
School technology plans and policies.
In plain English
Requires schools to add to their technology plans how they will ensure appropriate use of devices and let parents control a student's devices outside of school or virtual instruction. By January 1, 2027, requires school internet use policies to let parents strengthen filters, block websites or content, and limit device use. Bars students from using school devices for noneducational purposes during instructional time.
Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.
Official digest
Requires school corporations and charter schools (schools) to include in the school's technology plan a description of the school's plan to: (1) ensure the appropriate use of technological devices in schools; and (2) enable parents of students to exercise control over a student's technological devices while the student is not in school or engaged in virtual instruction or remote learning. Not later than January 1, 2027, requires a school to include in the school's Internet use policy a provision that enables the parent of a student to increase the strength of certain filters, block access to websites or content, and limit the use of certain devices. Creates an exemption from the Internet use policy requirement. Requires a school to include in the school's wireless communication device policy a provision that prohibits a student from using school supplied technological devices for a noneducational purpose during instructional time.
Latest action: First reading: referred to Committee on Education, January 28, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov
Authors and sponsors
Spencer Deery, Tyler Johnson, Stacey Donato, Jake Teshka
Roll-call votes
1 recorded vote, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.
Senate · Jan 26, 2026
Third reading: vote to pass
Roll call text: SB 159 - Deery - 3rd Reading
Passed
41 yes3 no5 did not vote
Republicans: 36 yes, 1 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 5 yes, 2 no, 3 did not vote
How each member voted
Yes (41)
- Aaron Freeman (R)
- Blake Doriot (R)
- Brett Clark (R)
- Brian Buchanan (R)
- Chris Garten (R)
- Cyndi Carrasco (R)
- Dan Dernulc (R)
- Daryl Schmitt (R)
- David Niezgodski (D)
- Ed Charbonneau (R)
- Eric Koch (R)
- Fady Qaddoura (D)
- Gary Byrne (R)
- Greg Goode (R)
- Greg Taylor (D)
- Greg Walker (R)
- Jeff Raatz (R)
- Jim Buck (R)
- Jim Tomes (R)
- Justin Busch (R)
- Kyle Walker (R)
- Linda Rogers (R)
- Liz Brown (R)
- Mark Spencer (D)
- Michael Crider (R)
- Mike Bohacek (R)
- Mike Gaskill (R)
- Mike Young (R)
- Randy Maxwell (R)
- Rick Niemeyer (R)
- Rod Bray (R)
- Rodney Pol (D)
- Ron Alting (R)
- Ryan Mishler (R)
- Scott Alexander (R)
- Scott Baldwin (R)
- Spencer Deery (R)
- Stacey Donato (R)
- Sue Glick (R)
- Travis Holdman (R)
- Tyler Johnson (R)
No (3)
- Andrea Hunley (D)
- Jean Leising (R)
- Shelli Yoder (D)
Did not vote (5)
- Eric Bassler (R)
- J.D. Ford (D)
- La Keisha Jackson (D)
- Lonnie Randolph (D)
- Vaneta Becker (R)
Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.