Ohio Senate unanimously approves bill requiring annual K–12 instruction on substance abuse, bullying and hazing

The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 7 by voice and roll call, recorded as 33 yays, 0 nays, requiring annual, developmentally appropriate instruction for K–12 students on the harmful effects of substance abuse and adding anti-bullying and anti-hazing curriculum requirements.

Senator Johnson, the bill’s sponsor, said the state must emphasize prevention alongside treatment and noted cooperation with the Department of Education and Workforce and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to compile approved evidence-based curricula. “Prevention is a key aspect of this effort,” Johnson said during floor remarks, arguing the measure will help reduce drug use and its long-term harms.

The bill requires the two agencies to develop and publish a list of evidence-based curricula, materials, programs and instructional strategies that districts may use. Sponsors also inserted language—driven by Senator Brenner and family advocates—to add explicit anti-bullying and anti-hazing instruction following a high-profile hazing death that legislators cited as the impetus for the amendment.

Supporters said the change would strengthen prevention efforts and help address chronic absenteeism tied to bullying. The bill passed unanimously; senators from both parties spoke in favor. The Senate agreed to the bill’s title and sent the measure forward after the roll call.

The law as described in the bill would apply to public, community, career-technical and college-preparatory schools; implementation details and specific curriculum selections will come from the two named state agencies.