Indiana currently has no laws specifically requiring the use of Integrated Pest Management in schools or childcare facilities, although voluntary implementation is strongly encouraged.

History

In January 2001, Senator Gard introduced senate bill #143 that would "require the governing body of a public school or nonpublic school to adopt and implement policies and procedures designed to effectively control pests and minimize the potential exposure of children to pesticides in school buildings."

The bill was read in the session on Jan 8, 2001, and referred to the committee of environmental affairs. A sister bill authored by Representative Avery was introduced to the House of Representatives on Jan 9 and referred to the Education Committee. In a hearing on February 6, it was decided that legislation would be put on hold pending adequate voluntary adoption of IPM by schools in Indiana. In December 2001, the Office of the Indiana State Chemist was required to report back to the legislature on the extent of voluntary policy adoption in Indiana schools. At that time, a survey conducted by the Indiana School Board Association ISBA indicated that 191 Indiana public school corporations (65%) had adopted the new policy. By February, 2002, the number had climbed to 92%, according to ISBA.

Text of proposed legislation

Indiana Senate Bill 143
House Bill 1250

Pest Management Policy Guidelines for Schools

Although IPM is not currently mandated by state law, guidelines for improved pest management practices have been created by the Indiana Pesticide Review Board (IPBR) and approved by the Indiana School Board Association (ISBA) in 2001. This document outlines practices intended to protect the health of children, faculty and staff in public schools. These guidelines address adoption of a pest control policy, notification of staff and parents prior to pesticide applications, and qualifications of pesticide applicators, among other issues.

This advisory policy and recommended practices are consistent with the principles of Integrated Pest Management. In fact, adoption of a pest control policy is one of the most basic components of any IPM program.

This model policy can be used as a template to craft a pest control policy that is tailored to the needs of individual school corporations throughout the state.

Advisory policy from the Indiana School Board Association

Database of Indiana Schools with information about policy adoption and pest management training. Maintained by Improving Kids’ Environment.

Pest Management Guidelines for Schools

Indiana currently has no laws specifically requiring the use of Integrated Pest Management in childcare facilities, although voluntary implementation is strongly encouraged.

Discussions are underway currently among the Indiana Pesticide Review Board and state IPM experts on a draft policy for notification and improved pest management practices in Indiana daycares.

The Purdue Pesticide Programs website provides current information on Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training programs.

For current IPM training opportunities for school personnel, pest managers, and childcare professionals, visit the Purdue IPM Technical Resource Center training page.

For information and resources related to IPM Tim Gibb Coordinator, IPM Technical Resource Center Purdue University Department of Entomology 901 West State Street, Smith Hall West Lafayette, IN 47907-1158 Phone: 765-496-7520 Fax: 765-494-0535 Email: al_Fournier@purdue.edu	For information about Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training and issues on health and the environment: Fred Witford Coordinator, Purdue University Pesticide Programs Purdue University Botany Department 1155 Lilly Hall of Life Sciences West Lafayette, IN 47907-1155 Phone: 765-494-1284 Email: fred_whitford@purdue.edu Web: http://www.btny.purdue.edu/PPP
For information about pesticide regulations and investigations: Dave Scott Pesticide Administrator, Office of the Indiana State Chemist Department of Botany Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907 Phone: 765-494-1583 Fax: 765-494-4331 Email: scottd@purdue.edu	For information about IPM Programs in other states or Indiana Pilot IPM programs: Marc Lame Director, Community Assistance Fellowship Program Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs Room 240 Bloomington, IN 47405 Phone: 812-855-7874 Fax: 812-855-7802 Email: mlame@indiana.edu
For IPM advice from school personnel with IPM experience: John Carter, Director of Planning Jerry Jochim, IPM Coordinator Monroe County Community School Corporation 560 E. Miller Drive Bloomington, IN 47401 Phone: 812-330-7720 Fax: 812-330-7791	For information on state children's health initiatives including IPM and air quality issues: Tami Johnson Children's Environmental Health Manager Indiana Department of Environmental Management 150 West Market Street, Suit 703 P.O. Box 6015 Indianapolis, IN 46206-6015 Phone: 317-233-5628 Fax: 317-233-5627
For information on IPM and the 5 Star Program for child care in Indiana: Gayla McCarty Program Director Indiana Department of Environmental Management 150 West Market Street, Suite 703 phone: 317-233-1046 (800) 988-7901 (instate only) GKMCCART@dem.state.in.us	For information on school IPM issues in Indiana from the pest management professional perspective: Leon Williams POW Pest, Inc. Box 535 Farmersburg, IN 47859-0535 Phone: 812-696-2100 Fax: 812-696-5150

• Indiana's Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), in addition to sponsoring the IPM in Schools Program in Indiana, has a variety of initiatives that affect children's health. Learn more about them at the Office of Pollution Prevention & Technical Assistance’s Children’s Health Initiatives page.
  
  
• IDEM’s notepad is a quarterly online environmental newsletter for school administrators and teachers.
  
  
• IDEM’s environmental links for Students, Teacher’s and Kids includes projects and resources for teaching, learning, and fun.
  
  
• IDEM sponsors the 5 Star Program , a recognition program for child care facilities working to reduce environmental threats to children.
  
  
• The IDEM site also features Environmental Health Links for Child Care Providers with links to information on a broad range of environmental topics.
  
  
• Monroe County Community School Corporation was the first in Indiana to implement IPM in their schools. Learn more about MCCSC’s award-winning IPM Program and how they got started.
  
  
• Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs pest management pages document the Pilot Program that got IPM started in Indiana schools.
  
  
• Improving Kids' Environment is a non-profit, advocacy coalition in Indiana that facilitates tangible and significant improvements to children’s health through reductions in environmental threats to children.
  
  
• Indiana Department of Education maintains a checklist for a safe and secure school environment. The site includes a list of links to other useful school safety web sites.