Senate Activity
The Senate unanimously voted to concur with the House changes to Senate Bill (SB) 17, sponsored by Sen. Steve Wilson (R-Mainesville), which would require the State Board to update the standards and model curriculum for financial literacy and entrepreneurship in grades nine-12 to include free market capitalism content. The bill now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine.
The Senate unanimously passed and amended SB 104, sponsored by Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) and Sen. Andrew O. Brenner (R-Delaware), which would revise the operations of the College Credit Plus (CCP) Program, including requirements for students, public and chartered nonpublic schools, public and private colleges, the Chancellor of Higher Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The amendments do the following:
- Add Nov. 1 as a second date for enrolling in CCP classes.
- Remove language that would have required school districts and institutions of higher education to split CCP students' textbook costs 50-50.
- Eliminate the bill's provisions regarding open-source materials.
The Senate also passed and amended House Bill (HB) 27, sponsored by Reps. Adam Matthews (R-Lebanon) and Jim Thomas (R-Jackson Township), by a 30-2 vote. The bill would require state institutions of higher education to provide financial cost and aid disclosure forms. One of the amendments establishes $600 million for the Ohio School Building Assistance Fund. The bill now goes back to the House for a concurrence vote.
The Senate unanimously passed SB 154, sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), which would make changes to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) to include Space Force in the definition of the armed forces, armed services and uniformed services of the United States. The following sections of the ORC related to education will be amended to include the Space Force:
- State Teachers Retirement System’s military service credit;
- Public School Employees Retirement System’s military service credit;
- Board of Education – presentation of career info to students;
- Reemployment of school employee under the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act.
Senate Education Committee
The committee held a second hearing on HB 214, sponsored by Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), which would require each public school to adopt a policy regarding certain expectations related to the performance of staff member professional duties. The bill clarifies that schools cannot require employees or job applicants to offer an opinion about specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals or principles. Testifying in support of the bill was Mark K. Neal, superintendent, Tri-Valley Local (Muskingum).
The committee held a second hearing on SB 205, sponsored by Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), which would require the Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop a list of evidence-based curricula, materials and instruction on the harmful effects of and legal restrictions against drug abuse, alcoholic beverages, marijuana and tobacco in schools.
The committee amended HB 250, sponsored by Reps. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) and Tracy M. Richardson (R-Marysville), which would revise the military enlistment diploma seal and would rename the “military enlistment seal” to the “military seal.” An amendment was adopted by the committee to make technical fixes to the bill aligned with language passed in the state operating budget (HB 33).
The committee heard sponsor testimony on SB 208, sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), which would require a city, exempted village or local school district to include in its open enrollment policy an exception for military children.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony on HB 147, sponsored by Reps. Sara Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) and Adam C. Miller (D-Columbus), which would make changes to teacher licensure revocation, teacher hiring practices and conduct unbecoming to the teaching profession.
Senate Ways and Means Committee
The committee held a third hearing on SB 186, sponsored by Sens. Louis W. Blessing, III (R-Colerain Township) and Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati), which would require payment of property taxes and assessments when a lot is split or transferred and generally prohibit tax-delinquent property owners from purchasing tax-foreclosed property.
Senate Government Oversight Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 257, sponsored by Reps. James M. Hoops (R-Napoleon) and Thaddeus J. Claggett (R-Newark), which would authorize certain public bodies to meet virtually, including the School Employees Retirement Board. School boards, among other boards, are not included in the authorization.
Senate Transportation Committee
The committee held a second hearing on SB 163, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), which would create the "Dublin City Schools" license plate.
Joint Committee on Property Tax Review
The joint committee heard invitation-only testimony from the following groups:
- National Conference of State Legislators
- Council on State Taxation
- Zaino, Hall & Farrin LLC
They addressed the Ohio property tax system in Ohio and how it compares to other states.
Department of Education and Workforce
The Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) has the following proposed rules open for public comment:
Draft rules open for comment:
OAC 3301-13-11 Identification, instruction, assessment, and reclassification of English learners
- Rule-3301-13-11
OAC 3301-16-08 State seal of biliteracy
- Rule -3301-16-08
OAC 3301-51-09: Delivery of services
- Rule-3301-51-09
OAC Chapter 3301-2 Personal Information Systems
- OAC 3301-2-14 Confidential personal information definitions.
- OAC 3301-2-15 Procedures for accessing confidential personal information.
- OAC 3301-2-16 Valid reasons for accessing confidential personal information.
- OAC 3301-2-18 Restricting and logging access to confidential personal information in computerized personal information systems.
OAC Chapter 3301-3 Data Acquisition Sites
- OAC 3301-3-01 Scope and definitions.
- OAC 3301-3-03 Information technology center permit eligibility and application.
- OAC 3301-3-04 Information technology center permit validity and revocation.
- OAC 3301-3-05 Responsibilities of the department.
- OAC 3301-3-06 Responsibilities of an information technology center and a user entity.
- OAC 3301-3-07 Performance requirements.
OAC Rule 3301-10-0
- OAC 3301-10-01 School enrollment for victims of domestic violence.
Click here to view the rules open for public comment.
New Bills Introduced
- HB 432, sponsored by Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport), would make changes to teaching and licensure of career-technical education.
Federal Update
Please click here to read the weekly Federal Advocacy Education Report which includes education related information.