Legislation Providing Additional Support and Flexibility to Ohio's Schools Heads to Governor

COLUMBUS—State Senator Louis W. Blessing III (R-Colerain Township) announced today the Senate unanimously passed House Bill 164, which would require public schools to give students the same access to school facilities for the purpose of religious expression as they do to secular student groups. In addition, H.B. 164 would increase flexibility for Ohio schools in the wake of COVID-19 as they approach the 2020-21 school year. Additions to House Bill 164 include additional funding from the Ohio Department of Education to each school district based on its combined state foundation aid and the federal CARES Act School Emergency Relief Fund for . The bill also would allow the governing body of a public school to adopt a remote learning model for the 2020-21 school year. "House Bill 164 provides necessary flexibility to Ohio schools preparing for the 2020/21 school year," Blessing said. "These changes will allow school districts to better adapt and overcome the challenges this pandemic has caused." The bill now goes to the Governor to be signed.