INDIANAPOLIS — Several state laws will go into effect this month, including a law requiring schools in the state to start reading proficiency testing in second grade, and offer tutoring and resources to students at risk of failing the IREAD test. Another law requires the Indiana Dept. of Education to identify students in fourth through eighth grade who are not reading at grade level. The law provides exemptions for new English learners, those with individualized learning plans, or students who score high on the math portion of the test.
The state is also bringing back “happy hour” sales in bars, reversing a ban passed in 1985 to reduce drunk driving. Establishments will be able to sell reduced price alcoholic drinks for up to four hours a day, up to 9 p.m.
Other laws that have gone into effect require Medicaid to cover the cost of long-acting reversible contraceptives stocked in hospitals, except for IUDs. Another law prohibits K-12 students from using cell phones, tablets, computers and gaming devices during class time. Students will only be able to use their phones for educational purposes or in an emergency.
Employees at grocery stores between the ages of 18 and 21 will be able to ring up the sale of alcoholic beverages, and young servers between 18-21 will be able to serve drinks when employed at restaurants.
Another law that will be in effect reduces protection for the state’s wetlands by reclassification.