BREAKING: Governor Signs Parents’ Bill of Rights, School Religious Released Time (HB8)!
COLUMBUS–Today, Governor Mike DeWine signed the CCV-backed House Bill 8 (HB8). The bill will now take effect as Ohio law in 90 days.
HB8 contains two measures to promote parental rights and the safety of children:
The Parents' Bill of Rights protects the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding their child’s upbringing, care, and education, and
HB8 also protects students' right to receive religious education during the school day through religious released time.
The following statement is from Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer:
"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!
"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.
"Center for Christian Virtue is deeply grateful to the bill's sponsors, Rep. DJ Swearingen and Rep. Sara Carruthers. We're also thankful to the sponsors of the religious released time bills that were amended into HB8: Rep. Gary Click, Sen. Michele Reynolds, and Sen. Al Cutrona."
Now signed into law, HB8:
Recognizes the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding their children’s upbringing, care, and education.
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.
Requires public school districts to adopt a policy authorizing students to be excused from school to participate in religious released-time programs like LifeWise Academy and School Ministries Ohio.
Requires public school districts to collaborate with a sponsoring entity of a released time religious instruction to set a time for the course to be offered during the school day.
For more information, contact CCV at 513-733-5775 or contact@ccv.org. For media inquiries, email media@ccv.org.
As Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.
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