BREAKING NEWS: Ohio Senate Passes Advance Ohio Higher Education Act—Banning DEI at Ohio's State Colleges and Universities

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act (SB1) this afternoon by a 20-11 vote. SB1, which was passed out of the Ohio House of Representatives by a 59-34 vote last week, now heads to Governor Mike DeWine's desk.  

Sponsored by Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act would ban DEI courses, training, and required statements; spending on DEI initiatives or programs with the same intent; and political and ideological litmus tests in all hiring, promotion, and admissions decisions at Ohio's state colleges and universities.

"Courage and common sense are a powerful combination, and together, they will put an end to the politically-charged DEI agendas that have infected higher education," said Aaron Baer, president of Center for Christian Virtue.

"Ohio's future depends on abandoning victimhood culture and divisive racial and LGBT ideologies. With the passage of SB1, our state is on the path to restoring sanity on college campuses. 

"Through the personal attacks and distortions, Senator Jerry Cirino, the sponsor of SB1, has never wavered. CCV is deeply grateful for his measured and steady leadership through this process. Speaker Matt Huffman, President Rob McColley, and House Higher Education Chairman Tom Young were consistent champions of SB 1 and divisive DEI programs on taxpayer-funded campuses."

"We encourage Governor DeWine to quickly sign this bill, to make clear that Ohio values all  students and staff equally."

To become law, a bill must pass both chambers of the Ohio Statehouse to be sent to the governor for his approval.

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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