Indiana lawmakers on Tuesday read through a new bill that would require the state Department of Education to provide adequate employer liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage for students enrolled in a work-based learning course.

House Bill 1094, by Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, would require the Education Department to provide coverage by Dec. 31. The department would be given the option of issuing a request for proposals to contract with a company to provide coverage or enter into a memorandum of understanding with a “statewide entity that represents business interests in multiple industries” that would allow the entity to procure adequate coverage.

The bill would also designate certain career and technical education programs as youth apprenticeship programs, providing $500 grants to school corporations for each pupil enrolled.

The House Education Committee is expected to discuss the bill.

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