State Mandates & Guidelines

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On this page, you can explore the following topics (click on the topic of interest):

Indiana Special Education Rules, Article 7 (Article 7)
Indiana Health Insurance Mandate for Autism Spectrum Disorder
What Rights do I have as a Parent or Caregiver in the State of Indiana?
Additional Resources

It is important to understand the state regulations that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, including ASD, across settings. Below is information about Indiana-specific laws pertaining to individuals’ access to education, employment, and other essential aspects of their lives.

What State Laws are in Place to Ensure the Rights of Individuals with ASD in Indiana?

Indiana Special Education Rules, Article 7 (Article 7)

Section 11, Article 7 of the Indiana Administrative Code (which contains the State’s Special Education rules), commonly referred to simply as “Article 7,” is a state-level regulation protecting students in federally funded schools from discrimination on the basis of a disability. Article 7 outlines the implementation of federal IDEIA requirements at the state level and describes how special education and related services should be provided by Indiana’s local public educational agencies. Article 7 covers all Indiana students with disabilities. The most recent version, updated in 2014, is available at http://www.doe.in.gov/specialed/laws-rules-and-interpretation.

Indiana Health Insurance Mandate for Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Indiana Health Insurance Mandate for ASD (sometimes referred to as the “Autism Mandate”) is a state regulation passed in 2001 that requires insurance providers to provide coverage–or at least offer coverage as an option–for individuals with ASD. The law does not apply to self-insured companies, nor does it apply to companies headquartered in a state other than Indiana. Indiana was the first state to adopt such a mandate, and as of 2017, almost every state in the United States has enacted a similar mandate. For specific information on mandate coverage requirements, review the Indiana Resource Center for Autism’s (IRCA) mandate synopsis or contact the Arc of Indiana Insurance Advocacy Resource Center.

What Rights do I have as a Parent or Caregiver in the State of Indiana?

As a parent or caregiver of an individual with a disability, including ASD, in the state of Indiana. you are granted a number of rights by federal and state-level legislation. The Indiana Department of Education has published a list of its protections, referred to as procedural safeguards, as they relate to the educational setting.

Generally, parents and caregivers have the right to determine what educational and medical services an individual with ASD should receive based on the individual’s unique strengths, behaviors, needs, and challenges. Several organizations in Indiana, including Indiana Disability Rights and the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities