House Workforce and Higher Education Committee advances substitute for Senate Bill 1, curbing DEI programs and adding civics requirement

The House Workforce and Higher Education Committee voted to favorably report a substitute for Senate Bill 1, the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, sending the measure to the full House after a committee roll call that resulted in nine yes votes and four no votes.

The bill would restrict certain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at state institutions, add a three-credit American civic literacy requirement for graduation with narrow exemptions, and include several provisions affecting faculty labor rights, tenure and scholarship rules. Committee members accepted an amendment allowing institutions to seek an exemption from the bill’s DEI training ban when compliance is required by state or federal law, licensure standards or accreditation requirements, and tabled multiple amendments proposed by members and outside groups.

Supporters who testified before the committee included students from Miami University and Ashland University, faculty emeriti and representatives of policy groups. "Senate Bill 1 represents a pivotal step forward…