Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a Parents’ Bill of Rights into law on Jan. 8, encoding a parent’s right to direct the upbringing and education of their child into state law. Ohio is the 23rd state to adopt a Parents’ Bill of Rights.
House Bill 8 includes the following rights for parents:
- Reviewing and opting their student out of instruction that includes sexual concepts or gender ideology.
- Being notified of any changes to their student’s mental, emotional, or physical health, including any requests by students to identify as a gender that does not align with the student’s biological sex.
- Ability to file concerns with the school district regarding any topic addressed in the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
The bill also prohibits instruction that includes sexual concepts or gender ideology in kindergarten through third grade. The bill also makes school board policies allowing students to leave school for portions of the day to receive religious instruction (called religious release time) mandatory instead of optional. The bill requires local school district boards to adopt policies in accordance with the Parents’ Bill of Rights, including policies that promote parental involvement in their school district.
Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R) said, “What we’re trying to do with the ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ is to preserve that critical relationship between a parent and their child in the school system.” Rep. Sara Carruthers (R), who co-sponsored the bill, said it requires schools to proactively include parents in their students’ education.
The Toledo Public School Board adopted a resolution opposing the bill before it was passed. Board Member Chris Varwig said the Parents’ Bill of Rights, among other bills, usurped local control from school boards and would harm students.
State Senator Bill DeMora (D), said of HB 8, “It’s another example of a solution looking for a problem. It puts students who seek help from teachers and school counselors at risk. We need to trust that school professionals will involve parents when necessary.”
House Bill 8 passed the Ohio Senate 24-7, with 24 Republicans supporting it and one Republican joining all Democrats to oppose it. The bill passed the Ohio House of Representatives 57-31, with 57 Republicans supporting it and three Republicans joining the House Democrats to oppose it. Ohio is a Republican trifecta.
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