Ohio House panel advances bill to streamline education code; amendment removing parent-notification language adopted

The House Education Committee on Tuesday heard sponsor testimony on House Bill 455, a measure the bill—s sponsors said would "modernize Ohio's education code by eliminating outdated educator requirements, reducing unnecessary regulations" so teachers can devote more time to instruction.

The bill's sponsors, Representative Manning and Representative Byrd, told the committee the measure would, among other items, remove obsolete reporting requirements and revise how some Department of Education and Workforce measures are calculated. "Our bill seeks to revise or eliminate a series of programs and provisions related to the Department of Education and Workforce," Representative Manning said, adding the bill would replace a statutory requirement that public schools annually describe initiatives funded by Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid (DPIA) with a requirement that the department, in consultation with the auditor of state, "develop a uniform mechanism" for reporting total DPIA funding and its expenditure.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the change would reduce administrative time spent on paperwork and allow teachers to focus on classroom instruction. The bill also adds a performance measure tied to students who complete a year of college after graduation to the state's graduation, college, workforce and military readiness calculations and removes obsolete Ohio Revised Code provisions such as requirements tied to the former Ohio graduation test.

Committee action and debate: Before testimony, the panel considered amendment AM0961. Vice Chair Odioso moved to adopt AM0961; Ranking Member Brennan objected on the grounds the amendment was provided to members and the public less than the 24-hour committee rule required. The committee nevertheless called the roll. The amendment was adopted on a 6-3 vote (Yes: Chair Fowler Arthur; Vice Chair Odioso; Representatives Byrd, Manning, Newman and Ritter. No: Ranking Member Brennan; Representatives Miller and Piccolantonio). The amendment, the vice chair explained to the panel, removes provisions that revised procedures for parental notification regarding (1) instruction with human sexuality content, (2) services related to a student's mental, emotional and physical health or well-being, (3) changes in a school's ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment, and (4) provision of health care services to students.

Committee members asked sponsors for follow-up details. Ranking Member Brennan said she had spent many hours reviewing the bill and welcomed more time to digest the wide-ranging changes; she also expressed concern that the removed parental-notification language originally addressed child safety exceptions. Representative Miller asked how the amendment affected counseling and services for student mental and physical health; sponsors said those topics had been the subject of contentious debate in a prior session and were not intended to be reintroduced through this bill.

Sponsor engagement and stakeholders: Representative Manning and Representative Byrd said they had consulted with stakeholders including the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Ohio Education Association, local superintendents, Educational Service Centers and the Department of Education and Workforce during drafting. They characterized the bill as a "work in progress" and invited additional input from committee members and stakeholders as hearings continue.

Next steps: The committee concluded the first hearing on House Bill 455 after sponsor testimony and questions. Committee members indicated more stakeholder briefings and technical amendments are possible as the measure moves through the committee process.

Ending note: Members repeatedly emphasized the bill—s scope and the sponsors— openness to further changes; Ranking Member Brennan reiterated concerns about timing and transparency after the late amendment filing.