Gov. Eric Holcomb on April 8 signed House Enrolled Act 1384 into law. Under the legislation, civics education will become a required class in Indiana middle schools and a 15-member Indiana Civic Education Commission will be established to determine and oversee curriculum.
The legislation, authored by Rep. Anthony Cook, R-Cicero, sailed through both the House and the Senate, garnering only one vote in opposition.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch chaired the Indiana Civic Education Task Force whose recommendations in 2020 led to the legislation. The formation of the task force, which was convened by the Indiana Bar Foundation, was a recommendation from the 2019 Civic Health Index which found that Indiana ranks low among states on several key measures of civic health including voter turnout.
Crouch noted the milestone in a Twitter post: “HEA 1384 was signed into law by Gov. Holcomb. This law helps renew Indiana’s dedication to improving our civic health , and that starts with civic education. I want to thank the Indiana Civic Education Task Force, @INBarFoundation and @INHouseGOP Rep. Tony Cook for all their work.”
