Ohio lawmakers passed House Bill 8 in a December 57-31 vote, otherwise known as the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” – dubbed Ohio’s version of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill from Florida. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law on January 8, 2025. The law takes effect 90 days after being signed.
“Parents’ Bill of Rights” requires school administrators and teachers to let parents of students know about school materials and content that reference or talk about sexual orientations ahead of being taught. This makes it so parents are able to request alternative instruction or request their student not be taught the material.
However, the bill specifies that kindergarten through third grade may not be taught or shown anything that has references to sexuality content. The bill defines ‘sexuality content’ to be, “oral or written instruction, presentation, image, or description of sexual concepts or gender ideology provided in a classroom setting.” Groups opposing H.B. 8 worry that this definition makes it unable for students of same-sex or transgender couples to talk about or freely express their home life.
The Bill also mandates that teachers and staff notify parents if a student identifies as transgender, non gender-conforming, or under the queer umbrella. The bill says this is to protect parents’ rights, “The policy shall specify that notice to parents shall reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children, and that the school district shall not inhibit parental access to the student’s education and health records maintained by the school.”
The House Bill also requires schools in Ohio to have religious release time for students, allowing them to leave during school hours for religious practices. Previously, schools in Ohio had to have a policy regarding religious release time, H.B. 8 makes this mandated.
Schools are required to provide public transportation for students involved in religious release time. However, the bill specifies that students are still assumed responsibility for schoolwork or instruction missed.
“The bill sets a dangerous precedent for censorship in our classrooms. Education should foster an environment of critical thinking, inclusivity, and acceptance, where students are encouraged to learn about the diverse world they live in. By limiting the topics that can be discussed, this bill essentially stifles open dialogue and the opportunity for students to develop a well-rounded, respectful understanding of different perspectives,” American Government teacher Tony Schoonover commented.
House Bill 8 is a lot more than limiting topics in the classroom, it’s outright censoring an environment that teaches inclusivity and diversity. Education and schools are about fostering and nurturing not only children—but adults into well-rounded people; people who are able to understand and be empathetic towards others with differences or different values, lifestyles, and viewpoints. Ultimately, by limiting what both students and teachers are able to discuss in the classroom can make it difficult for students to have a proper understanding of the world around them, censoring what should be talked or not talked about – leading more unnecessary things to be considered ‘taboo’.
LGBTQ+ activists opposing the bill have pointed out that the bill makes schools unsafe for children who identify under the LGBTQ+. Teachers and staff publicly outing students who identify as such to their parents, who may or may not be aware that their children are LGBTQ+; risking students feeling unsafe at home.
“Moreover, it places an undue burden on teachers, forcing them into self-censorship, and limiting teachers’ ability to effectively address sensitive but important issues that are relevant to students’ lives and society as a whole,” Schoonover continued.
One of the concerns of the bill is the unnecessary censorship in the school space. The bill limits topics that teachers should rightfully be allowed to discuss, especially when these topics relate directly to the student body.
The bill is expected to take into effect immediately for the 2025-2026 school year. Schools, cities, local and exempted villages have until July 2025 to comply and make a policy upheld by the bill. H.B. 8’s purpose is to protect children from sexual abuse content and to keep parent’s in control of their children’s education and upbringing. The bill also ensures that students are learning content that is developmentally appropriate.