Reps. Jarrells' Bipartisan Legislation on Foster Students Success Passes House Floor

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) today celebrated the Ohio House’s favorable passage of bipartisan House Bill (HB) 25, the Fostering Student Success Act. HB 25 passed the Ohio House Workforce and Higher Education Committee with a vote of 13-0 last week and passed the House Floor today with a vote of 92-1.

“The Fostering School Success Act creates clear points of support inside every school system, so foster youth are not left to navigate instability on their own,” said Rep. Jarrells. “The Fostering School Success Act sends a simple message to foster youth across Ohio. You matter. Your education matters. And the adults in this system have a responsibility to show up for you consistently.”

The Fostering Student Success Act requires state agencies to support local foster care education liaisons and foster family navigators. The bipartisan legislation also requires that state agencies disseminate educational resources and any scholarship opportunities specifically for students placed in foster care to their agency’s website. As a result, HB 25 ensures every district and school designates a foster care education liaison and strengthens coordination between education, higher education, and child welfare agencies.

“House Bill 25 is designed to provide critical support to Ohio’s foster youth as they pursue higher education. It seeks to address the unique and often overwhelming challenges faced by students in foster care who frequently lack the familial support networks that many of their peers rely on to access and succeed in postsecondary education,” said Rep. Ray.

HB 25 now awaits further consideration by the Ohio Senate.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A picture of Rep. Jarrells speaking on the House floor is attached to this press release. Courtesy: Ohio House Democrats.