Limitations on obligation to bargain collectively; agreement provision; attestation regarding public hearing

Sec. 6. (a) The obligation to bargain collectively does not include the final approval of a contract concerning any items. Agreements reached through collective bargaining are binding as a contract only if ratified by the governing body of the school corporation and the exclusive representative. The obligation to bargain collectively does not require the school employer or the exclusive representative to agree to a proposal of the other or to make a concession to the other. (b) This subsection applies to a collective bargaining agreement ratified after June 30, 2021. A ratified collective bargaining agreement shall include a provision specifying the date on which the public hearing described in section 1(b) of this chapter and the public meeting described in section 19 of this chapter occurred as well as an attestation signed by both parties attesting that the public hearing described in section 1(b) of this chapter and the public meeting described in section 19 of this chapter occurred on the dates specified in the ratified collective bargaining agreement. The governing body shall indicate as part of the attestation whether governing body members or members of the public were allowed to participate in the public hearing or public meeting by means of electronic communication.