Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs dozens of bills, including LGBTQ+ “forced exit” bill • Ohio Capital Journal

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed nearly 30 bills into law on Wednesday, including a law that would require schools to notify parents if the child identifies as LGBTQ+ and allow parents to opt out of so-called “sexual” content to deregister. The GOP denies it is homophobic and says it is just a way for parents to stay informed.

State Reps. DJ Swearingen, R-Huron, and Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, introduced House Bill 8, which would require schools and teachers to notify parents of any changes in their child’s mental, physical or emotional state – even if they identify as LGBTQ+.

“If you’re a parent, you want to be informed about what’s going on in your child’s life,” DeWine said. “Parents are the best teachers, they are the first teachers, they are the best teachers.”

Transgender advocacy groups have been warning about this for over a year.

Only four Republicans voted against this bill.

State Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, voted against it twice in the House.

“Passing laws that have the potential to exclude a child who is deeply questioning their place in the world – in my opinion – is just dangerous for these children and it’s really bad public policy,” Callender said during the Lame-duck session.

The legislation also requires public schools to allow children to drop out of class to attend religious classes.

“This is another step in ensuring that the diversity of opportunities and ways parents want to raise their children are available to them in this free country,” said Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.

State Reps. Andrea White, R-Kettering, and Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, also voted no. State Sen. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Township, was the only Republican senator to vote against it.

“Sounds to me like the state is interfering with local control of a school board,” Callender said. “It is also a problem that the courses that are missed are most likely art and foreign languages.”

Civil rights activists tell me they plan to file a lawsuit.

Other bills

HB 206

It would allow schools to exclude for an extended period based on an “immediate and serious threat”.

This includes bringing a gun or knife to a school, committing a crime that results in harm to another person or property, bomb threats – or any other written or oral threat such as a hit list, manifesto or malicious social media -Contribution.

In order to be readmitted, the student must undergo a psychological evaluation. Even after the assessment, the principal may expel the student if he or she believes the student has not been sufficiently “rehabilitated.” From there, the superintendent can re-evaluate the student after 90 days. If they fail again, they could be expelled from school for another 90 years – and this would continue.

HB 322

It constitutes the criminal offense of grooming and prohibits an adult from engaging in a “pattern of conduct” with a minor that would cause a “reasonable adult” to believe that the adult “intends to seduce, coerce” the minor “to recruit or prepare”. engaging in “sexual activity.”

The offense would also show up on background checks, meaning a coach fired for behavioral issues could be prevented from getting a job at another school.

HB 531

This bill makes sexual extortion a crime.

If the offense results in bodily harm or death, a court could impose an additional 10 years.

This legislation grants victims immunity for sending explicit images.

The bill also requires a parent or guardian to have access to a phone or device belonging to a deceased minor within 30 days.

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