Ohio Governor Signs Bill Protecting Parent’s Rights in Education

by Zachary Mettler | January 9, 2025 | Government Updates

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a crucial bill into law protecting parent’s rights in education.

The newly-enacted law (HB 8) guarantees that “a parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child.”

To that end, as the Center for Christian Virtue summarizes, the law:

Requires public schools to provide both advance notification to parents about the teaching of sexual content and the freedom to opt out their students.
Protects students from being encouraged by school counselors to “socially transition” to the opposite sex without their parents’ knowledge.
Requires schools to notify parents if their student requests a change of gender recognition at school.

In addition, HB 8 requires school boards to adopt policies “that authorizes a student to be excused from school to attend a released time course in religious instruction.”

The law is set to take effect in 90 days.

These legislative actions are a huge victory for parents in The Buckeye State, ensuring parents will be able to better protect their children from harmful and damaging ideologies like transgenderism.

“Parents, not government bureaucrats, should be making healthcare and education decisions for their kids. Governor DeWine has done an incredible service for Ohio families by signing House Bill 8 (HB8). Thank you, Governor, for protecting parental rights!” said CCV President Aaron Baer, adding,

HB8 protects children by safeguarding parents’ rights to make important decisions for their children. Whether it’s a decision about healthcare, a decision about when a child has a discussion about sexuality, or a decision over whether a child can access a religious released time program like LifeWise Academy, HB8 puts parents back in control.

Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Matt Sharp also lauded Gov. DeWine’s decision to sign HB 8 into law:

Parents know and love their children best, which is why they are best suited to make decisions about their children’s upbringing, education, and care. Thankfully, HB 8 rightfully recognizes this truth as a fundamental right. …

We commend Rep. D.J. Swearingen and Rep. Sara P. Carruthers for their leadership on this legislation and Gov. DeWine for signing it into law.

We extend our thanks to Gov. DeWine and all state legislators involved in helping HB 8 become law. Ohio’s children and parents are sure to benefit from their courage and action.

If you’re concerned about what your child is being taught in school, check out this updated, free resource from Focus on the Family and Family Policy Alliance: Equipping Parents for Back-to-School.

We want parents to feel confident and equipped to manage issues affecting public – and private and online – schooling. The FREE downloadable resource helps you be aware of what’s going on in your child’s classroom and offers guidance for how to advocate for your child in the school year ahead.

Related articles and resources:

Parents Support Core Subjects, Keep Males out of Female Sports

Ohio Governor Signs ‘Bathroom Bill’ Into Law Protecting Women’s Spaces

Photo from Getty Images.