OHIO — A new year is here, and with it comes big political changes in the Buckeye State.
Several new laws will take effect in 2025, including allowing days of religious expression in schools and banning transgender students from using school bathrooms according to their gender identity.
House Bill 214: January 1, 2025
Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill, known as the “Religious Expression Day” or “RED” law, in July.
This bill would require each public school to adopt a policy that reasonably takes into account the religious beliefs and practices of its students and to require a policy regarding certain expectations related to the performance of professional duties of faculty and staff. are.
School policies must meet certain requirements, including allowing students in kindergarten through 12th grade to miss up to three days each school year because of their faith, religion, or spiritual belief system. School districts cannot impose academic penalties for student absences, as permitted by policy.
Students may still participate in interscholastic sports and other extracurricular activities on days they are absent from school for Religious Expression Days. If an absence conflicts with that, principals will require teachers to create and provide time that violates substitute exams or academic requirements.
Schools will be required to provide alternative accommodation for students who are absent for recitals regarding exams or academic requirements.
The principal may not approve more than three written requests by parents to excuse a day of religious expression per grade. Principals must approve the sincerity of a student’s religious or spiritual belief system without scrutiny, but can confirm the request by contacting the parent or guardian whose signature appears.
If a parent or guardian objects to the signature, the principal may deny the request.
House Bill 183: January 1, 2025
On Nov. 27, Mr. DeWine signed the bill, also known as the Protection for All Students Act, regarding the use of single-sex restrooms in elementary schools, secondary schools, universities and institutions of higher education. The law does not apply to school employees, emergency workers, and those who support young children and people with disabilities.
Schools must continue to provide single- and family-use toilets. It is also supposed to designate separate bathrooms, locker rooms, and accommodations based on the student’s assigned gender at or near birth. At least 11 states have similar laws banning transgender women and girls from women’s restrooms in public schools and, in some cases, government buildings.
A total of 26 states have enacted laws that reinstate or prohibit gender transition care for transgender minors. Twenty-four states have laws that allow sports competitions to be open to transgender girls and women.
The bill was debated for 19 months before being passed by the Republican Congress on November 13th. This bill was added to another bill related to the College Credit Plus program by the Ohio House of Representatives. This program allows high school students to earn college credit.
Minimum wage increase: January 1, 2025
The minimum wage on New Year’s Day increases from $10.45 an hour for non-tipped employees and $5.25 an hour for tipped employees to $10.70 an hour for non-tipped employees and $5.35 an hour for tipped employees. .
The increase is 25 cents for non-tipped workers and 10 cents for tipped workers.
The minimum wage applies to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $394,000.
The minimum wage increases annually due to a constitutional amendment passed in November 2006 that states that Ohio’s minimum wage will increase on January 1 of each year based on the rate of inflation. Ohio’s minimum wage is tied to the consumer price index for urban wage earners and office workers for the 12 months ending in September.
From September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024, the Consumer Price Index increased by 2.4%.
For small businesses with annual gross receipts of $394,000 or less after Jan. 1, the state minimum wage for 14- and 15-year-olds will be $7.25 an hour. State wages are tied to the federal minimum wage, and any changes would require Congressional legislation and the president’s signature.
House Bill 250: School cell phone policy
In May, DeWine issued an official policy on cell phone use during school hours for all Ohio school districts, aimed at minimizing student cell phone use in K-12 schools. signed a bill mandating the creation of a
The policy is that student cell phone use is restricted during class, to reduce the distraction caused by cell phones during class, and as deemed appropriate by the school board, or for use in a student’s individual education. It should be emphasized that students are allowed to use cell phones if included in the program. A student’s study phone or other electronic communication device to monitor or address health concerns.
Schools must adopt the policy by July 1, 2025, in advance of the 2025-2026 school year.
The Ohio Department of Education and Labor was required to create a model policy that school districts could use when developing their policies.
Spectrum News 1 digital producer Lydia Taylor and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
