Indiana § 20-26-5-40.5 - Internet use policy; blocked content; content filter

§ 20-26-5-40.5. Internet use policy; blocked content; content filter

Sec. 40.5. (a) Each school corporation and charter school shall adopt and implement an Internet use policy that:

(1) prohibits the sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading of materials that are harmful to minors (as described in IC 35-49-2-2) on computers and other technology related devices owned by the school corporation or charter school;

(2) provides for the use of hardware or installation of software on computers and other technology related devices described in subdivision (1) to filter or block Internet access to materials that are harmful to minors; and

(3) establishes appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken against persons violating the policy established under this section.

(b) Each school corporation and charter school shall use hardware or install software on computers and other technology related devices described in subsection (a)(1) to filter or block Internet access to materials that are harmful to minors.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (e), not later than January 1, 2027, each school corporation and charter school shall adopt and implement a policy that enables the parent of a student to:

(1) increase the strength of the filter described in subsection (b);

(2) block access to websites or content accessible on a device described in subsection (a)(1); and

(3) limit the amount of time a device described in subsection (a)(1) may be used by the student;

while the student is not in school or engaged in virtual instruction or remote learning. A school to which this subsection applies must inform each parent of a student enrolled in the school of the policy described in this subsection.

(d) Each school corporation and charter school shall post on the school corporation's or charter school's website the Internet use policy established under subsection (a).

(e) A school to which this section applies that, as of June 30, 2026, has a contract with a vendor that:

(1) provides for the implementation of the requirements of subsection (b); and

(2) cannot provide for the implementation of the requirements of subsection (c);

is exempt from the requirements of subsection (c) until the expiration or renewal of the contract. This subsection expires July 1, 2030.

As added by P.L.164-2021, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.23-2026, SEC.180; P.L.74-2026, SEC.61.