Ohio House Committee Hears Bill Emphasizing Age Appropriate Education

COLUMBUS – Today, the Ohio House State and Local Government Committee heard House Bill 616 for sponsor testimony. Representatives Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) and Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) sponsored this legislation. 

House Bill 616 is legislation that would prohibit schools from using textbooks and imposing curriculum that promotes or endorses divisive and inherently racist concepts.

The measure would also restrict providing curriculum on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade education. This key focus of the bill is to make certain Ohio’s children are taught materials that are appropriate for their age.  

“All children deserve and should receive an education that is impartial, balanced and age appropriate,” Loychik said. “This legislation encourages free and fair discussion between our educators and their pupils.”

Loychik noted that the bill has been drafted to stress that all people are equal regardless of their skin color, race, sex, religion, or national origin. 

“Our classrooms are supposed to be free from political activism while answers are discovered by the students themselves, not through indoctrination,” Schmidt said. 

The legislation will require the State Board of Education to develop a process to file complaints against educators who have violated the provisions of the bill.

The parents deserve and should be provided a say in what is taught to their children in schools. The intent of this bill is to provide them with the tools to be able to see what their child is being taught. 

House Bill 616 now awaits a second and third hearing for proponent and opponent testimony.