INDIANAPOLIS— Today, the Senate Education Committee amended and voted on HB 1134. The legislation passed the committee by a vote of 8-5 with Senator Jean Leising joining the Senate Democratic members in opposition. State Senator Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) offered the following statement:

“I have opposed HB 1134 from day one because it harms our students and puts a target on teachers’ backs. My colleagues and I introduced several amendments to move the bill to a summer study committee to study the core issues. Unfortunately, all amendments were defeated despite the common-sense solutions that we offered. HB 1134 was conceived in a national and local political context that promotes silencing voices of underrepresented communities in Indiana.

“I will continue to champion supporting our public schools, educators, students and parents. To educators: we are grateful for your service and we appreciate you. To the thousands of Hoosiers who made their voices heard in opposition to this bill: we heard your voices loud and clear and we will continue standing up to support your rights.”