Proposed Ohio Bill Would Mandate Daily Moment of Silence in Schools
Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill that would require all public schools in the state to observe a daily moment of silence. House Bill 187, introduced by Representatives Gary Click (R-Vickery) and Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood), received sponsor testimony this week in the House Education Committee.
Current state law allows teachers to lead a moment of silence, but the proposed bill would change the word “may” to “shall,” effectively making the practice mandatory. While the bill requires schools to observe the moment, it leaves the timing, duration, and method of implementation up to each teacher.
“This bill does not ask for much and is extremely non-prescriptive,” Click said during testimony. “It does not say where, when, or how long. It just says simply a moment. … Mindfulness is becoming a lost art in the hustle and bustle of modern society and is a discipline worth teaching.”
Synenberg added that students are constantly bombarded with technology and that creating a moment of peace and quiet could help with their mental well-being. “While we as lawmakers can’t solve every mental health challenge students face, we do have the ability to create a space for a brief opportunity of peace and quiet,” he said.
Under the bill, students would have the right to leave the classroom if they choose not to participate. However, Synenberg acknowledged that the law cannot prevent instances of bullying or peer pressure. “Hopefully, students are not going to do that. I’m sure it could happen, but we unfortunately can’t prevent that,” he said.
Some lawmakers on the committee raised concerns about whether the bill adds another unnecessary mandate to schools. Committee Chair Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) questioned how the proposal aligns with efforts to reduce burdens on educators. Click responded that the bill would come at no cost to schools and requires very little effort from teachers.
“This could be defined as a mandate,” Synenberg admitted. “It is sort of an anti-mandate mandate. … You don’t have to teach, you don’t have to instruct, you don’t have to be disciplining students. You’ll just be present with your students for that time.”
Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna) questioned the need for the bill, noting that schools already have the ability to include a daily moment of silence. Click responded, “There’s nothing that prevents them, and yet, for some reason, not everyone does.”
Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma), a former teacher, expressed support for the idea, citing its potential mental health benefits. He also asked how the practice might help students develop mindfulness, empathy, and gratitude. Click replied, “I don’t know if our young people are consistently taught the value of just being still. I think that is a discipline that is worth teaching.”
