State Rep. Jeter’s bill supporting Hoosier Jewish students advances unanimously

Jeter

The Indiana House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously advanced State Rep. Chris Jeter’s (R-Fishers) bill to clearly define antisemitism for Indiana’s public education institutions, which he said ensures the concept doesn’t wind up in Hoosier classrooms or campuses.

Jeter said he authored the legislation after having conversations with several Jewish organizations over concerns about antisemitic concepts being taught in Indiana classrooms. According to the Anti-Defamation League, reports of antisemitic events have increased by nearly 360 percent since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023.

“This bill is a reflection of our Hoosier standards and what we value when it comes to teaching our students,” Jeter said. “Our Jewish students need to feel safe and welcome in our schools, and this builds on Indiana’s long history of supporting Jewish communities both at home and abroad by targeting antisemitism in K-12 classrooms and on college campuses. I look forward to having further discussions and conversation to get this legislation through the Senate this year.”

Jeter’s legislation would define antisemitism as religious discrimination in state law to ensure that K-12 schools and universities do not include the concept in teaching materials or resources. More specifically, antisemitism would be defined as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Jeter said this definition is already adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.

Jeter said his proposal is the same legislation from the 2023 legislative session, which passed unanimously out of the House, but did not receive a hearing in the Indiana Senate.

House Bill 1002 now heads to the Senate for further consideration. For more information, or to watch session and committees live, visit iga.in.gov.

State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88, which includes portions of Hamilton, Hancock, Madison and Marion counties.