Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed into law a bill requiring schools to notify parents of any instances where a child expresses gender confusion, as well as other significant changes to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical health.
The new legislation mandates that all Ohio schools adopt policies ensuring parental notification of such changes. Additionally, it requires parental consent before a child can access health services through their school, according to the bill’s text.
The law emphasizes parents’ “fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care” of their children and encourages greater parental involvement in education.
Under the law, schools must inform parents at the beginning of each academic year about the health services offered and allow them to opt out of any services. Schools are also tasked with ensuring that any sexual education content is “age-appropriate” and must provide parents the option to exclude their children from these lessons. School officials are explicitly prohibited from encouraging students to withhold information from their parents.
This measure contrasts sharply with policies in states like California, where Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation in July 2024 preventing schools from notifying parents about a child’s gender identity without the student’s consent. Newsom’s law has since been met with lawsuits from parents claiming the policy poses “potentially devastating” consequences for children and families.
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Governor DeWine’s actions align with other recent efforts in Ohio to address parental rights and child safety. In November, DeWine signed legislation prohibiting schools from allowing males to enter women’s spaces, such as bathrooms and locker rooms.
Supporters of the new law argue it bolsters transparency and ensures parents remain informed about critical developments in their children’s lives. Critics, however, warn it could risk the well-being of vulnerable students who might fear disclosing personal struggles to their families.
The law takes effect immediately, marking another significant step in Ohio’s approach to education and parental rights.
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