HB 1246

                                                            Introduced Version
           HOUSE BILL No. 1246
                 _____
              DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 20-20-55.
Synopsis: Financial literacy education. Requires a person who is at
least 18 years of age and is a member of a family that receives TANF
or SNAP benefits to complete a course of instruction on financial
literacy that is established by the department of education
(department). Requires the department to establish and administer a
course of instruction on financial literacy. Requires the department to
submit an annual report to the executive director of the legislative
services agency for distribution to the members of the general assembly
that contains certain information regarding the course of instruction on
financial literacy.
Effective: July 1, 2026.
                         Shackleford
   January 5, 2026, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
2026  IN 1246—LS 6861/DI 154
                                                                                       Introduced
            Second Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2026)
 PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
 Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
 additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
   Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
 provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
 word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
 a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
  Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
 between statutes enacted by the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
                   HOUSE BILL No. 1246
    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
 education.
     Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1    SECTION 1. IC 20-20-55 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2026]:
4    Chapter 55. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families;
5 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Financial Literacy
6 Education
7    Sec. 1. This chapter applies to a person who is:
8      (1) at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
9      (2) a:
10(A) member of a family that receives TANF (as defined in
11IC 12-7-2-189.7) benefits; or
12(B) recipient of SNAP (as defined in IC 12-7-2-178.9)
13benefits.
14    Sec. 2. (a) The department shall establish and administer a
15 course of instruction on financial literacy that a person described
16 in section 1 of this chapter shall complete.
17    (b) To carry out subsection (a), the department may cooperate
 2026  IN 1246—LS 6861/DI 154
                                   2
1 with a reputable association or organization having as an objective
2 the promotion of financial literacy.
3    (c) The course of instruction described in subsection (a) shall:
4      (1) be offered to a person described in section 1 of this chapter
5      at no cost;
6      (2) be offered in person, online, and in a hybrid in person and
7      online format;
8      (3) comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C.
9      12101 et seq.); and
10      (4) be trauma informed and culturally responsive.
11    Sec. 3. Upon completing the course of instruction described in
12 section 2(a) of this chapter, the department shall:
13      (1) give a person described in section 1 of this chapter a
14      certificate of completion; and
15      (2) provide information about relevant community programs
16      to a person described in section 1 of this chapter.
17    Sec. 4. The department may provide incentives for completing
18 the course of instruction described in section 2(a) of this chapter.
19    Sec. 5. Not later than December 31 of each year, the department
20 shall submit to the executive director of the legislative services
21 agency for distribution to the members of the general assembly a
22 report listing the number of persons described in section 1 of this
23 chapter who have completed the course of instruction described in
24 section 2(a) of this chapter in the preceding calendar year.
25    Sec. 6. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to
26 implement this chapter.
 2026  IN 1246—LS 6861/DI 154