WATCH: Committee to Vote on Parents' Bill of Rights and LifeWise Academy

COLUMBUS–House Bill 8 (HB8), sponsored by Representatives D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) and Sara P. Carruthers (R-Hamilton), is scheduled to receive a vote during the 3:00 pm hearing in the Ohio Senate Education Committee today–Tuesday, December 17.

Also known as the Parents' Bill of Rights, legislators amended a fix for religious education released time into HB8 to further protect children's and parents' rights.

The Parents' Bill of Rights recognizes the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding their child’s upbringing, care, and education. HB8 protects parents' right to know when their child is being taught sexual content at school, to opt their student out of such curriculum, and to be notified if their child requests a change of gender recognition at school.

The Religious Released Time amendment would protect children's right to receive religious education from ministries like LifeWise Academy and School Ministries Ohio by changing the law which says public schools "may" allow released time for religious instruction to say that they "shall," or must, allow it in line with court precedent.

Please note that the committee's agenda may include other bills for consideration, and this bill may not be the first to be heard. 

If you're unable to watch live, you can watch the recording once it's been posted.

To become law, a bill must go through both Chambers of the Ohio Statehouse to be sent to the governor for his approval. If the committee passes HB8, it must then receive a floor vote in the Senate and then a concurrence vote in the House of Representatives to be sent to Governor DeWine for final 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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