EDUCATION

Ohio Governor Signs Education Bill, Keeps Parents' Rights

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Columbus — Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 455 on Friday, increasing governor-appointed members on the State Board of Education from five to seven, adding new educator licensing restrictions and testing requirements for online schools, while omitting previously proposed changes to Ohio's Parents' Bill of Rights. Local lawmakers and education officials confirmed the signing. The bill, introduced last September by Reps. Gayle Manning and Adam Bird and passed by both chambers on June 10, is expected to take effect in about 90 days; an earlier draft would have required parental notification if a student sought to identify differently from their sex assigned at birth, with an exception directing staff to report to law enforcement or child protective services if notifying parents posed imminent threat.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Last September: Reps. Gayle Manning and Adam Bird introduced House Bill 455, including proposed Parents' Bill of Rights changes.
10th June 2026: The Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 455 in both chambers.
Friday (12th June 2026): Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 455 into law.
About 90 days after signing: The law is expected to take effect.
Post-enactment: The law increases governor-appointed State Board seats and enforces new educator licensing and online-school testing rules.

Why This Matters to You

This new law affects Ohio's education system. It increases governor-appointed seats on the State Board of Education and adds new rules for online schools and teacher licensing. If you're a parent, teacher, or student, these changes could impact you. Keep an eye on how this unfolds in the coming months.

The Bottom Line

House Bill 455 keeps Ohio's Parents' Bill of Rights intact while adding new education regulations. It's expected to take effect in about 90 days. If you're involved in Ohio's education system, it's worth knowing these changes. Consider sharing this with fellow parents, educators, or Ohio residents.