Governor DeWine Signs Multiple Bills into Law, Expanding Policies on Parental Rights, Public Safety, and Education

Joe Lyons • January 9, 2025

Governor DeWine Signs Multiple Bills into Law, Expanding Policies on Parental Rights, Public Safety, and Education

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed into law a wide array of legislation addressing issues ranging from parental rights and public safety to education and healthcare. These bills, which touch on various aspects of Ohioans’ lives, represent bipartisan efforts and significant policy updates for the state.

House Bills

House Bill 8 (Parents’ Bill of Rights): Sponsored by Representatives DJ Swearingen (R-Huron) and Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton), this landmark legislation strengthens parental rights by requiring schools to notify parents about teaching sexual content and ensuring parents can opt their children out. It also mandates notification for any school discussions regarding a student’s gender identity and supports religious released-time programs like LifeWise Academy. The bill has received strong support from organizations such as the Center for Christian Virtue (CCV), whose president, Aaron Baer, praised Governor DeWine for safeguarding parental rights.

House Bill 7: This bill, introduced by Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus), enhances services for infants, children, and parents.

House Bill 29: Sponsored by Representatives Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) and Darnell Brewer (D-Cleveland), the law revises penalties related to driver’s license suspensions and financial responsibility violations.

House Bill 74: Sponsored by Representatives Thomas Hall (R-Middletown) and Mary Lightbody (D-Plain Township), this legislation updates voter registration and ballot systems, implements cybersecurity recommendations, and establishes a post-election audit requirement.

House Bill 106: Known as the Pay Stub Protection Act, this law requires employers to provide detailed earnings and deduction statements to employees.

House Bill 366: Dubbed the Fight Organized Retail Crime and Empower Law Enforcement (FORCE) Act, this bill establishes the Organized Retail Theft Advisory Council and creates penalties for retail property theft.

House Bill 403: This law introduces new regulations for commercial motor vehicles, window tinting, and background checks for transportation network companies.

House Bill 531: Enacts Braden’s Law, which prohibits sexual extortion and enhances compliance with electronic search warrants.

Focus on House Bill 8

One of the most notable bills signed into law, House Bill 8, focuses on parental rights and religious freedom in education. Effective in 90 days, the law includes the following provisions:

Recognizes parents’ fundamental rights to make decisions regarding their children’s upbringing, care, and education.

Requires public schools to notify parents about the teaching of sexual content and allows them to opt their children out.

Prohibits school counselors from encouraging “social transitions” to a different gender without parental knowledge.

Mandates policies for excusing students to participate in religious released-time programs during the school day.

CCV President Aaron Baer lauded the bill, emphasizing its importance in empowering parents. “HB8 protects children by safeguarding parents’ rights to make important decisions for their children,” Baer stated. “Governor DeWine has done an incredible service for Ohio families by signing House Bill 8.”

Senate Bills

Senate Bill 58: Sponsored by State Senators Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), this bill prohibits fees or mandatory liability insurance for firearm or knife possession. It also enacts the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act.

Senate Bill 63: Introduced by Senator George Lang (R-West Chester), this legislation requires plaintiffs in asbestos-related tort actions to file specified disclosures, increasing transparency in such cases.

Senate Bill 95: Sponsored by Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester), this bill addresses updates to pharmacy laws, including provisions for remote dispensing pharmacies and licensing certified mental health assistants.

Senate Bill 158: Proposed by Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), the bill adds a judge to the Adams County Court of Common Pleas, effective in 2026, with jurisdiction over probate and juvenile cases beginning in 2029.

Senate Bill 163: Sponsored by Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), this law creates and amends various specialty license plates.

Senate Bill 208: Introduced by Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), the bill addresses exceptions to open enrollment policies for military children, training requirements for educators, and regulations for home education groups.

Senate Bill 211: Also sponsored by Senator Roegner, this legislation enters Ohio into the Dietitian Licensure Compact and establishes a 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis telephone line.

Senate Bill 234: Senator Gavarone’s bill designates May as “Food Allergy Awareness Month” and “Lupus Awareness Month.” It also requires schools and universities to advertise the national suicide and crisis lifeline.

Senate Bill 237: Co-sponsored by Senators Theresa Gavarone and Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), this law enacts the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, protecting legal actions concerning free speech, and updates small claims court jurisdiction.