Want to be able to attend meetings with your children’s teachers but must work full time as well?

A new Indiana law mandating that companies allow unpaid time off for parents to attend school meetings for their child has gone into effect as of July 1, 2025. (IC 22-2-20-6). Specifically, companies may give time off if a meeting falls into one of two categories: an attendance conference or a case conference committee meeting for the purpose of developing an individualized education plan for a student with a disability. (Id.)

The Indiana legislature has defined a “child” as a biological child, foster child, or stepchild. (IC 22-2-20-2). An “attendance conference” is defined as a meeting between the child’s parent, a representative of the school, a teacher of the child, and the meeting is about the child’s absences and establishes a plan for the student to prevent future absences. (IC 20-33-2.5)

Companies can require the employee to provide at least five days’ notice to their supervisor prior to the date on which the employee is taking unpaid time off to attend the school meeting. In addition, the statute requires an employee to make a reasonable effort to attend the school meeting virtually. (IC 22-2-20-8). Companies can require that any unpaid time off taken is limited to only the time needed for travel and attendance of the school meeting. (IC 22-2-20-6). Further, companies are only required to allow for one unpaid time off for one of the two meetings annually. (IC 22-2-20-6).If employers allow their employee to take this unpaid time, the statute requires the employee provide documentation to their employer as proof that they attended a school meeting during their unpaid time off. (IC 22-2-20-7). Should the employee need documentation from the school to provide to their employer, the school is obligated to provide it under the statute upon request of the employee or employer. (Id.)

It is important to note that employers are not mandated to provide this leave for their employees. The statute specifically provides that the employers “may” provide their employees this time. Although the statute is not a mandatory requirement, it is still a step in the right direction to help working parents stay involved in their children’s schooling.

If you have any questions on making sure your company is complying with this new law, please contact McNeelyLaw LLP by calling (317)825-5110.

Disclaimer: This McNeelyLaw LLP publication should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion of any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own lawyer on any specific legal questions you may have concerning your situation.