Ohio House Passes Senate Bill 1

The Ohio House of Representatives today approved Senate Bill 1 – legislation that works to bring a “Students First” agenda to Ohio Public Universities. 

Senate Bill 1 works to reform higher education by aligning with Ohio’s workforce needs, eliminating DEI programs, trainings, and orientations, and promoting institutional stability, accountability, and transparency. 

“This is a new chapter in how we move forward together in this chamber, the House of Representatives,” said Chairman Tom Young. “We must work side by side to ensure that the possible dream is not just an idea but a reality. We will make certain that young persons or people are taught the goodness, the values, and the truth of our county and its history. We will empower them not with the vision but with knowledge. We will give them the tools to succeed, not just slogans or empty promises. This is how we turn the possible dream into reality, not just for ourselves but for generations to come.”

This legislation would make the following changes at the state’s institutions of higher education:

• DEI Elimination: Eliminates institutional discrimination and indoctrination by removing DEI programs, trainings, and orientations.
• Protect Freedom of Speech and Promote Equality: Ensures that Ohioans’ opinions are safe from being silenced or marginalized and may receive due discussion, protecting all students and faculty, and encourages an environment that welcomes diverse perspectives at Ohio higher education institutions. 
• Ensure Uninterrupted Education: Prevents situations where students cannot graduate or otherwise progress with their studies by prohibiting faculty strikes or walkouts.
• Ensure High Quality Education: Requires institutions to evaluate tenured faculty who are not meeting performance expectations, ensuring continued high-quality education and rigor after a faculty member is granted tenure status. 
• Ensure Workforce Relevance: Ensures that institutions of higher education remain relevant and connected to Ohio’s workforce needs by sunsetting programs that average fewer than five degrees over a three-year period.
• Prioritize Civics and Capitalism Education: Ensures Ohio students have a foundational understanding of American Civics and capitalism.
• Enforce Foreign Influence Restrictions: Safeguards Ohio’s institutions from interference and influence by the People’s Republic of China.

The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for a concurrence vote.