Sponsors urge daily offering of Pledge of Allegiance in Ohio schools, protect student rights

Columbus — Representatives Richardson and Brennan presented House Bill 117, which would require each Ohio school district to create a policy to offer the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to students K‑12 and to conform the pledge wording to U.S. Code, while explicitly protecting constitutional rights to opt out.

Sponsors framed the measure as a civic‑education and patriotism initiative. Representative Richardson said the bill would "ensure that all students K‑through‑12 can recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day — notice I said can, not must" and emphasized the bill would not compel students with legitimate religious or other objections to participate. Representative Brennan, a former history and government teacher, said teaching the pledge and related civic content was part of cultivating engaged citizens.

Committee members raised concerns about unfunded mandates and local control. Sponsors said the bill would allow districts flexibility in how to implement the offering (morning announcements, classroom recitation, student leaders) and that it was intended to provide "cover" to teachers who wish to include the pledge daily. Committee members and sponsors discussed the bill’s compatibility with existing civics and history curriculum requirements. No outside testimony for or against the bill was presented at the hearing.

No formal action was taken. Sponsors said they would work with members on any technical changes but emphasized the bill’s intent to promote respect and civic engagement without infringing constitutional protections.