Ohio ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights' heads to governor with religious instruction bill

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A pair of education bills combined into one piece of legislation cleared their final hurdle in the Ohio Legislature shortly before midnight on the final day of the lame-duck session for lawmakers, sending it to the governor’s desk for his signature.

House Bill 8, was called by supporters “The Parents’ Bill of Rights.” Opponents compared it to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The bill would require schools to:

Ensure any sexuality content is age-appropriate
Give parents a chance to review any material that includes sexuality content and allow them to remove their student from those lessons
Prohibit school personnel from encouraging a student to withhold from a parent information concerning the student’s health or well-being
Notify parents about substantial changes to their mental, emotional, or physical health

Supporters said the bill provides more transparency for parents and gives them a larger say in decisions concerning the education of their children.

Opponents took issue with provisions requiring teachers or counselors to report changes to their mental, emotional or physical health or well-being. They argued that it would force teachers or counselors to ‘out’ gay students who haven’t come out to their parents yet.

A member of the Ohio School Counselor Association testified against the bill after it was introduced in 2023, saying counselors are concerned that students might be more hesitant to talk to them.

“If students know that school counselors will be forced to disclose what was shared in a private meeting, more and more of our students may hesitate before reaching out to us about sensitive issues, which often require the most emotional support,” said Doug Cook on behalf of the OSCA in his written testimony. “It is reasonable to expect that this hesitation would ultimately extend to all issues if students simply don’t feel their school counselor can be trusted.”

Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) was one of the lead sponsors of the bill. He called the legislation a priority after it initially passed the House last year.

“This important legislation acknowledges the fundamental role that parents play in the lives of their children,” said Swearingen. “We have a responsibility to support and protect the irreplaceable position that only parents can have in their kids’ lives.”

Lawmakers combined the bill with a separate piece of legislation requiring school districts to develop policies allowing students to be excused from school to receive religious instruction.

Ohio law currently allows school districts to create a those policies. If signed by Gov. DeWine, districts would be required to have policies on the books.

State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) introduced the original bill in the House before it was added into HB 8.

“Parents, not politicians, should be making these decisions for their children,” Click said. “While many schools have been responsive to the requests of parents, some have not. Regardless of their intentions, their failure to implement these policies results in a denial of Ohioans’ parental rights and constitutional right to the free exercise of religion.”

The bill received support from LifeWise Academy, which is based in Ohio and offers bible education to students during school hours. It enrolls students in hundreds of school districts across the state, including dozens in Northwest Ohio.

Lifewise Academy’s CEO testified in support of the bill, pointing to districts in central Ohio that have or are considering shutting down released time programs.

“Activists have begun systematically targeting school districts where LifeWise serves families. They don’t believe parents should be able to make decisions for their own children,” said Joel Penton, the founder and CEO of LifeWise Academy.

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