Did you know...

• Ohio House Bill 99

  • The Ohio House Bill 99 went into effect on September 12, 2022. This bill allows teachers and other school workers to legally carry a firearm in schools with up to 24 hours of training. Previously, 700 hours of training was needed.

  • Any persons wanting to go through training must apply and pay a fine that is determined by the county or municipal corporation. A $15 fine must be paid by anyone who has been issued a certification for satisfactory completion.

  • Training can be through an eligible Chief Mobile Training Officer or regional mobile training officer.

  • There are currently 16 mobile training regions each including between 1-13 counties.

  • The purpose of this HB is to protect students and promote school safety.

  • Currently, there are 18 states that allow teachers to carry a firearm in the classroom.

  • This legislation does not include how a teacher must store a firearm, but it does say that the school is required to tell the public that they have employees who are armed. They do not need to be specifically named.

• Ohio Board of Education and Title IX

  • Brendan Shea, a member of the Ohio Board of Education, proposed a resolution in mid-October that opposes the changes the Biden administration did to Title IX and added more protections for transgender students.

  • Under the Biden administration, Title IX overcame a change that required schools to permit transgender students access to bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams.

  • A 12-7 vote decided that the change needs to be reviewed further. Since the State Board of Education's executive committee does not meet every month, and elections are coming, this resolution could be pushed back until 2023.

  • This resolution also forces schools in Ohio to disclose if a student changes their pronouns or gender identity.

• Proposed Ohio House Bill 616

  • The proposed Ohio House Bill 616 was referred to the Ohio House of Representatives committee on May 17. 2022. This is a mimic of Florida's House Bill 1557, also referred to as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill.

  • Florida HB 1557 reduces and/or eliminates the inclusion of topics that include sexual orientation and/or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

  • In the proposed Ohio HB 616, restricts the promoting and teaching of divisive or inherently racist concepts, including but not limited to, critical race theory, intersectional theory, the 1619 project, and inherited racial guilt.

  • Like Florida's HB, the proposed Ohio HB restricts the use of instructional material on sexual orientation or gender identity to grades kindergarten through third grade.

  • For grades 4th-12th, teachers are allowed to use instructional material on sexual orientation and/or gender identity as long as it is age and developmentally appropriate in accordance to state standards.

  • If a school is found guilty of doing any of the above, they can be sued and have funds withheld and/or having the licensure of a staff member be revoked.