Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has recently signed into law House Bill 8, which introduces notable changes to parental rights in the state.
This new legislation permits students to leave school grounds for religious education and requires that schools notify parents if their child wishes to identify as a gender different from the one assigned at birth.
Support for Parental Rights
DeWine signed the bill on a Wednesday, along with several additional legislative measures.
The move has been met with enthusiasm from advocates of parental rights, including Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue in Columbus.
Baer praised the governor’s actions, highlighting his dedication to empowering families in Ohio.
He believes that parents, not government officials, should make crucial healthcare and educational choices for their kids.
According to Baer, House Bill 8 reinforces parental authority over significant issues related to their children’s health and education.
He elaborated that the law re-establishes parental oversight in critical areas, including healthcare decisions, conversations about sexuality, and involvement in religious education programs like LifeWise Academy.
Opposition from Progressive Groups
On the flip side, the legislation has drawn sharp criticism from progressive groups, notably the Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
They have branded it the “Forced Outing Bill” and labeled it the “Unsafe Students Act.” The ACLU argues that this new law could restrict the discourse around sexual education in schools, posing risks to students, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ community.
They contend the bill jeopardizes the crucial trust between students and educators.
Further objections from the ACLU center on the bill’s requirement for schools to implement religious instruction programs.
Although such programs were previously permitted, they were not mandatory.
The ACLU pointed to various reasons why some districts had opted out of these programs, including concerns regarding liability, safety, the separation of church and state, potential disruptions to the school day, and the risk of bullying against students who choose not to participate.
Provisions of House Bill 8
House Bill 8, chiefly sponsored by Representatives D.J. Swearingen and Sara Carruthers, enshrines the principle that parents have an essential right to make decisions regarding their children’s upbringing, education, and overall welfare.
The law requires school districts to partner with organizations that offer released time courses for religious instruction, coordinating these classes during school hours.
Importantly, students who attend these classes will not be marked absent, though they cannot leave core classes for religious instruction.
Additionally, the legislation emphasizes that any sexuality-related content in schools must be age-appropriate and forbids schools from fostering secrecy between students and their parents concerning mental, emotional, or physical health issues or changes in support services.
Just last month, the Ohio Senate backed the bill with a 24-7 vote, followed by a 57-31 approval in the Ohio House for the amended version of the legislation.
Source: Christianpost
