COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a law Wednesday that strengthens parents’ rights to know when schools are changing their child’s health care or preparing to offer classes with “sexual content.” As conservatives nationwide increasingly criticize public schools for being too liberal on such issues.
The signing comes as conservatives nationwide increasingly judge public schools as too liberal and seek to suppress discussion of current issues, particularly those related to gender identity.
The Republican governor told reporters after a separate bill signing at the Statehouse that the basis of the Parents’ Bill of Rights is that parents want to be informed about what is going on in their children’s lives and that Ohio wants to give them that opportunity .
“They are the first teachers, they are the best teachers, and that is very, very important,” he said.
A separate provision of the Republican-backed bill requires districts to allow students to leave school during the day to attend religious classes, rather than leaving access to such programs up to the district. This is one of several ways Ohio has expanded access to religious education in recent years.
Under the up-to-date law, parents will have the option to opt out of proposed changes to school health care or the classes mentioned in the bill that discuss gender, sexuality or gender identity.
Opponents criticized the bill for forcing schools to “out” LGBTQ+ students by disclosing to their parents their private health discussions with trusted adults at school.
Equality Ohio, the state’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy, policy and legal aid organization, said House Bill 8 does nothing to create welcoming schools for these students or to support teachers in creating a secure learning environment.
“It is deeply disappointing that Governor DeWine signed HB 8 despite educators and the LGBTQ+ community alike opposing it,” Executive Director Dwayen Steward said in a statement. He added that the legislation “punishes teachers and staff for supporting LGBTQ+ students who are already the target of bullying and harassment.”
Steward said his organization will continue the fight in Ohio to “ensure all students feel safe and secure in their schools.”
DeWine told reporters that he does not believe the bill harms LGBTQ+ students.
“First, we love these students like we love anyone else, and not only are they welcome in Ohio, they are welcome in our schools and we want to protect them like we protect every other student,” he said. “But I believe that parents who have information are the most likely people who can help this child.”
DeWine pointed out the irony that he had drawn criticism from the political left for supporting the bill while he had been vilified by the political right for vetoing a ban on gender-affirming care in December 2023 based on the same principle.
“I just have to mention that I have sometimes been criticized by people maybe from the other side of the spouse because I believe in parental rights and that parents know best,” he said.
The Center for Christian Virtue thanked DeWine for his signature Wednesday.
“Whether it’s a decision about health care, a decision about when a child talks about sexuality, or a decision about whether a child has access to a religious recreational program like LifeWise Academy, HB8 puts parents back in control.” said President Aaron Baer in a statement.
