Rep. Brennan Applauds Enactment of Provisions Supporting Patriotic Youth Organizations

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D–Parma) today applauded the enactment of legislation containing key provisions from his bipartisan initiative to ensure that patriotic youth organizations have access to share information with students in Ohio schools. The measures, originally introduced by Rep. Brennan and Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R–Haviland) as House Bill 468 during the 135th General Assembly, were recently incorporated into Substitute Senate Bill 19 and signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine.

The new law permits specified patriotic youth organizations—including Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America, the Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Civil Air Patrol, Future Farmers of America, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Little League Baseball Incorporated, the Marine Corps League, and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps—to provide informational materials and present information about their activities to students at least once per academic year for up to ten consecutive minutes outside of core instructional time. Schools retain full local control to determine the time, place, and manner of these presentations. Proper parent or guardian notification is also required with the option to withhold consent.

“Having spent 28 years as an American government teacher, I know firsthand that schools are regularly approached by outside groups wanting an audience with students,” Rep. Brennan said. “This legislation strikes the right balance by assisting our schools with proper vetting while giving our young learners access to time-tested, high-quality opportunities that foster civic and moral values.”

The bill's framework was modeled after successful bipartisan legislation in neighboring Indiana. The covered entities include well-vetted, established organizations dedicated to leadership development, personal growth, and community service without partisan leaning.

“These groups play a vital role in building robust leadership skills and character among our youth,” Rep. Brennan concluded. “By providing a structured, secure pathway for these organizations to connect with students, we are ensuring that traditional civic values remain accessible to the next generation of Ohioans.”