Senate Passes Johnson Bill To Require Public Schools Display Foundational Documents

COLUMBUS—The Ohio State Senate passed Senate Bill 34, introduced by State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), which would require public schools to display founding historical documents in social studies and history classrooms.

"This bill will expose our students to the documents which have, in
America, served as the backbone of our legal and moral traditions," said Senator Johnson. "It is inexcusable that more focus has not been shown towards these historic texts within the academic arena in our state.”

Senate Bill 34 would require all public school Boards of Education to develop a policy to display at least four of the following nine documents in each social studies and history classroom, grades 4 through 12:

• The Mayflower Compact
• The Declaration of Independence
• The Northwest Ordinance
• The Mottoes of the United States and Ohio
• The Ten Commandments
• The Magna Carta
• The Bill of Rights
• The United States Constitution
• The Articles of Confederation

The legislation ensures that no public funds are required to cover the costs of these displays, although public funds may be used. The bill allows local boards to accept donated funds for the purchase of these displays or to accept donated displays themselves. “It is essential that the displays are funded and promoted by the communities themselves, having a say in what gets displayed in their schools,” Senator Johnson explained. 

The Department of Education and Workforce will also be required to develop and post website materials to assist school districts with the formatting and educational information requirements.

Senate Bill 34 has been sent to the Ohio House for further consideration.

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