The bill introduced in the 136th General Assembly amends sections of the Revised Code and enacts a new section, 3313.475, which prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public schools throughout Ohio. Under this new section, school boards are mandated to adopt policies that ban DEI-related activities, including training courses, the establishment of DEI offices, and the use of DEI in job descriptions. Additionally, the bill prohibits contracts with third parties that promote admissions or hiring based on identity factors such as race or ethnicity. It also requires school boards to create a complaint process for reporting violations of this prohibition, ensuring that complaints are investigated and resolved to prevent future issues.

Moreover, the bill introduces amendments concerning community schools, requiring them to submit comprehensive governance and operational plans. It allows contracts between sponsors and governing authorities to include provisions for payments to sponsors for oversight, capped at three percent of the school's state operating expenses. The bill also mandates that STEM schools and college-preparatory boarding schools comply with various sections of the Revised Code as if they were school districts. Notably, it includes the insertion of section 3313.475 into the compliance requirements and repeals existing sections 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24, indicating a significant restructuring of the legal framework governing community schools and related educational entities.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24