Ohio Lawmakers Tighten Oversight on Universities: New Bill Links Funding to Compliance and Student Safeguards
A new bill moving through the Ohio House aims to tighten oversight of public colleges and universities, with supporters arguing it strengthens accountability and protects students within higher education institutions.
Introduced by Tom Young, House Bill 698 seeks to enforce compliance with Senate Bill 1, a 2025 law that banned diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the state’s public campuses.
From a safeguarding perspective, the legislation centers on institutional transparency and regulatory compliance. The bill would require colleges to formally certify adherence to state law or risk losing state instruction funds.
It also proposes civil penalties for knowingly false certifications. Lawmakers backing the measure say clear enforcement mechanisms are necessary to ensure universities operate within legal frameworks and maintain public trust.
HB 698 goes further by restricting institutions from reassigning or reclassifying staff in ways that continue previously prohibited DEI-related functions. Schools would be required to submit detailed inventories and justification reports for employees whose roles were changed following the DEI ban. The state’s chancellor of higher education would review whether new duties are substantially different from prohibited activities.
Supporters argue the bill promotes integrity, transparency, and consistent standards across campuses. Critics, however, have previously raised concerns that sweeping restrictions could affect campus climate and student support services.
From a child safeguarding lens, the debate reflects broader questions about how higher education institutions balance compliance, student welfare, inclusion, and access to supportive resources.
As enforcement timelines approach fiscal year 2028, the outcome could shape the regulatory and protective environment for Ohio’s college students.
