Key Ohio Laws That Went Into Effect Wednesday
Multiple new Ohio laws go into effect this Wednesday, including a statute requiring public schools to allow religious release time and another that toughens penalties for drunk driving. On January 8, Gov. Mike DeWine signed 29 bills into law, all set to become effective the same day. Here are the most notable new laws now in force across the state that affect children.
‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’
House Bill 8 mandates that Ohio school districts adopt a policy allowing students to attend off-campus religious instruction during the school day. While schools were previously allowed to offer this option, they are now required to have a policy in place.
The law also introduces new parental rights over school content, requiring schools to make materials involving “sexual concepts or gender ideology” available for review, allowing parents to opt out their children. Starting July 1, staff must also notify parents if a student requests to use different names or pronouns than those matching their biological sex.
Indefinite School Expulsions
House Bill 206 allows for indefinite expulsions of students who pose a serious and immediate danger. It expands on current rules that limit expulsions to 180 days for weapons or violent acts.
Now, students can face extended or indefinite removal for additional threats, such as creating hitlists, manifestos, or threatening social media posts. After 180 days, expulsions may be extended every 90 days. Reinstatement depends on a psychiatric evaluation and a multidisciplinary team’s assessment of rehabilitation.
‘Sextortion’ Criminalized
Braden’s Law, or House Bill 531, makes sextortion, blackmail involving intimate images, a felony. It’s classified as a third-degree felony but can be upgraded to first- or second-degree depending on the case.
Affected persons who initially shared explicit images are granted immunity. The law also imposes penalties on telecom providers that fail to give parents access to a deceased child’s device within 30 days.
Driver’s License Suspensions Lifted for Certain Offenses
House Bill 29 eliminates driver’s license suspensions for failure to pay fines, school truancy, and similar minor offenses. Those already suspended for such reasons can now seek reinstatement.
It also allows those with child support-related suspensions to argue for limited driving privileges if lack of transportation affects their ability to pay.
