Ind. Code ch. 20-20.5-17

Ind. Code ch. 20-20.5-17
in effect

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-1 "Allowable expenses"

Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "allowable expenses" means: (1) payment of a stipend for a robotics team mentor; (2) fees, kits, and supplies required to: (A) establish or maintain a robotics team; or (B) participate in a robotics competition; and (3) event registrations, materials, transportation costs, travel costs, and other expenses associated with a robotics competition. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-1.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-2 "Eligible school"

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "eligible school" means a: (1) public school, including a charter school (as defined in IC 20-24-1-4); (2) state accredited nonpublic school; or (3) nonpublic school accredited by a national or regional accreditation agency that is recognized by the state board. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-2.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-3 "Eligible team"

Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "eligible team" means a robotics competition team consisting of: (1) students in kindergarten through grade 12 who are: (A) enrolled in an eligible school; or (B) on a community based robotics competition team; and (2) at least one (1) adult who is a team mentor and team coach. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-3.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-4 "Fund"

Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the robotics competition program fund established by section 8 of this chapter. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-4.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-5 "Program"

Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the robotics competition program established by section 7 of this chapter. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-5.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-6 "Robotics competition"

Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "robotics competition" means a competition that: (1) requires participating teams to design, construct, program, and operate robots; and (2) is sponsored by a nonstock, nonprofit corporation, described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, that has as one (1) of its organizational purposes the goal of encouraging young people to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-6.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-7 Robotics competition program established; purpose

Sec. 7. The robotics competition program is established to provide grants to eligible teams to expand opportunities to increase interest and improve skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through participation in competitive robotics programs that: (1) provide hands on learning experiences; (2) establish community partnerships to increase awareness of local workforce and postsecondary opportunities; (3) highlight career opportunities through adult mentors; and (4) prioritize a connection to manufacturing, machining, and fabrication skills for students in grades 9 through 12. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-7.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-8 Robotics competition program fund established; purpose

Sec. 8. The robotics competition program fund is established. The department shall use money in the fund to provide grants to eligible teams to develop and implement competitive robotics programs. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-8.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-9 Fund; nonreverting

Sec. 9. (a) The fund consists of the following: (1) Appropriations from the general assembly. (2) Gifts to the fund. (3) Grants, including grants from private entities. (4) Other state funds that are transferred to the fund. (b) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. (c) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public money may be invested. Interest that accrues from these investments shall be deposited into the fund. (d) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-9.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-10 Department administers program

Sec. 10. Subject to appropriation by the general assembly, the department shall administer the program and fund. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-10.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-11 Application for grant; requirements

Sec. 11. (a) An eligible team may apply to the department to receive a grant from the fund on a form provided by the department. (b) To receive a grant, an eligible team must show proof of the following in its application: (1) A partnership for the purposes of a robotics competition with at least one (1) sponsor, business entity, higher education institution, or technical school. (2) An adult robotics team mentor. (3) A spending plan. (4) A commitment to compete in a robotics competition. (5) For grades 9 through 12, a commitment to creating an original, iteratively designed robot. (6) A local in kind or cash match from other private or local funds in an amount equal to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of the awarded grant. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-11.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-12 Guidelines to award grants; requirements

Sec. 12. (a) The department shall develop guidelines to award grants to eligible teams for allowable expenses. The guidelines developed by the department must include a maximum grant award allotment for each eligible team based on the: (1) level of programming; (2) level of competition; and (3) number of participants; of various robotics competitions as determined by the department. (b) The department shall award grants in a manner that maximizes the number of eligible teams that will be able to receive funds, with an emphasis on increasing the number of high school teams, and that expands the geographical distribution of eligible teams. (c) The department shall award grants under this chapter for each school year not later than August 1 of the applicable school year. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-12.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-13 Guidelines to accommodate the participation of students with disabilities

Sec. 13. The department shall establish guidelines to accommodate the participation of students with disabilities on an eligible team or in a robotics competition. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-13.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-14 Rules

Sec. 14. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-14.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 20-20.5-17-15 Collective bargaining

Sec. 15. The program and any participation by a team mentor and team coach in the program is not subject to collective bargaining. [Pre-2026 Revision Citation: 20-20-45.5-14.3.] As added by P.L.74-2026, SEC.37.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/20Fetched: 10/17/2026

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