logo
All about six new laws in Ohio that go into effect today

All about six new laws in Ohio that go into effect today

Yahoo09-04-2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Multiple new Ohio laws are going into effect on Wednesday, including a statute that requires public schools to allow religious release time and another that increases penalties for drunk driving.
On Jan. 8, Gov. Mike DeWine announced he signed 29 bills into law, all of which are set to go into effect on Wednesday. A list of six notable new laws can be found below.
House Bill 8, dubbed the Parents' Bill of Rights, requires school districts to adopt a policy that allows students to attend off-premise religious classes during the school day. Formerly, districts were allowed to permit religious release time, but not required to.
In Ohio, religious release time programs are legally allowed to teach public school students during the school day as long as they have parental permission, do not use school resources and teach off of school property. The new law does not change these requirements.
How Gov. DeWine, Ohio parents feel about proposed bill to ban cellphones in schools
Although districts are required to have a religious release time policy enacted by Wednesday, schools have until July 1 to implement most other newly required policies in the law. This includes a policy ensuring content depicting 'sexual concepts or gender ideology' is available for parents to review, in case they would like their children to opt out.
Starting in July, staff will also be required to 'promptly notify' a parent if their child requests to be referred to with a name or pronouns that vary from their biological sex at school.
Liv's Law increases the fines for the offense of Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVI). Specifically, the statute adds an extra $190 compared with the previous law. For example, the minimum fine for a first-time offense rises from $375 to $565.
Video shows disagreement between Columbus principal, police officer
The law also increases the maximum fine for aggravated vehicular homicide to $25,000, which is $10,000 more than the law previously allowed.
Additionally, Liv's Law allows police to collect oral fluid samples from drivers suspected of driving under the influence, while the law previously only permitted blood, urine and breath testing. Similar to the other kinds of testing used in the state, refusing an oral fluid swab can result in criminal charges.
House Bill 206 allows public schools to indefinitely expel a student who poses an 'imminent and severe endangerment' to others' safety. Ohio law previously allowed schools to expel students up to 180 days – or one school year – for bringing a gun or knife to school, making a bomb threat or causing serious physical harm to another person. Students aged 16 years or older could be permanently expelled only if they were convicted in court of a serious criminal offense, according to the nonprofit Ohio Legal Help.
The new law allows expulsions past 180 days for students who bring a firearm or knife to school, make a bomb threat, cause serious physical harm to someone at school, make a hitlist, create a threatening manifesto or share a menacing post on social media.
Organization offering 'bounty' for removal of invasive trees in central Ohio
Under the statute, after 180 days, a student's expulsion can be extended for 90 days at a time, with no limit on how many extensions are allowed. To be reinstated, students are required to undergo a psychological evaluation by a psychiatrist.
After the expulsion period, the superintendent, along with a 'multidisciplinary team' they select, will decide whether to reinstate the student. To make a decision, school officials will determine if the student has shown 'sufficient rehabilitation,' while taking the psychological assessment into consideration.
House Bill 531, named Braden's Law, classifies sextortion, short for sexual extortion, as a felony in Ohio. Sextortion occurs when an individual is blackmailed over intimate images.
The law categorizes sextortion as a third-degree felony; however, the charge could be upgraded to a second- or first-degree felony depending on a variety of factors, including if the victim is a minor or disabled, and if the perpetrator is a repeat offender.
In Ohio, a third-degree felony carries a prison sentence of nine months to three years, and a judge may impose a maximum fine of $10,000. A first-degree felony is punishable by 3-11 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $20,000.
Will speeding fines in Ohio increase?
The law also provides immunity from prosecution to victims who sent explicit images, and implements fines for telecommunications companies who fail to give parents or guardians access to a device that belonged to a deceased minor within 30 days.
House Bill 29 ends the practice of suspending driver's licenses for failure to pay court fines or fees, along with some other minor offenses such as school truancy. Residents whose driver's license or motor vehicle registration was suspended for such offenses before the law was passed are able to have their license reinstated.
The law also allows those who have had their license suspended for being in default on child support payments to prove that a suspended license prevents them from making the payments and they could be granted 'limited driving privileges.'
Within 30 days, impacted individuals will be notified and provided instructions on how to get their license reinstated.
Senate Bill 58 enacts the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, which bars credit card companies, banks and other institutions from categorizing or tracking firearm-related purchases.
Mail carriers say new contract failed union wishes
The law states companies also cannot compile lists of gun purchasers and share such information with third parties, including government agencies, unless required by law through due process.
The statute also prohibits the state or any local government from requiring liability insurance to possess a firearm. The legislation was a proactive move, as no local governments in Ohio required firearm liability insurance for gun owners before the law's passage. Nationally, some jurisdictions such as New Jersey and San Jose, California, have enacted such mandates.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ohio bill would give counties the power to cut property taxes
Ohio bill would give counties the power to cut property taxes

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Ohio bill would give counties the power to cut property taxes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A new Ohio proposal would give counties the authority to lower property taxes if they determine the amount collected is more than needed. Every county in the state has a budget commission, made up of the county auditor, treasurer and prosecutor, which is tasked with overseeing the taxation process for local governments. As Fort Rapids sale looms, Columbus church eyes plan to redevelop waterpark House Bill 309, introduced by David Thomas (R-Jefferson) in May, would require the panels to review the budgets of taxing authorities annually. If a local government is collecting more money than a public entity — such as a school or law enforcement agency — needs, the legislation gives budget commissions the power to suspend or reduce tax rates. 'If the local government doesn't actually need the full amount of that revenue, or if they're providing the service for less, or can, why should the taxpayers still be charged a much higher tax rate?' Thomas said. Christopher Galloway, the Lake County auditor, testified in support of the bill at its first hearing. He said county prosecutors' different interpretations of legal precedents have resulted in budget commissions' responsibilities being unclear and varying across counties. Galloway claimed that while the Lake County budget commission has 'been a rubber stamp' on tax budgets for decades due to its prosecutors' legal opinions, its neighboring county of Geauga rolls back rates when an entity's budget does not require the full amount of taxes. He said he wants all 88 counties to have that ability. Chillicothe paper mill will close in August after stating it would remain open 'HB309 won't be talked about around kitchen tables like a statewide initiative to eliminate property taxes, but it is in fact a REAL and effective means of controlling property taxes in the State of Ohio,' he said in written testimony. The legislation comes as many Ohioans are expressing frustrations with the costs of property taxes, including a group of citizens who recently started collecting signatures to amend Ohio's constitution and eliminate property taxes altogether. 'Clearly, our taxpayers are telling us across Ohio that the current status quo is not working,' Thomas said. However, not everyone is in support of the bill, with some claiming it is an attempt to undermine the will of voters. The nonprofit League of Women Voters is among those who have criticized the legislation. 'House Bill 309 is just another example of this gerrymandered state legislature's effort to take power away from local governments and voters,' a spokesperson said in a statement. 'Slowly but surely, corrupt politicians in the Ohio Statehouse are trying to end local control and reduce the rights of Ohio citizens. What Ohioans need are real solutions to real problems, not this.' Dispensary reacts to Ohio marijuana limit changes Thomas disagreed with such concerns, stating if the legislation passed, voters would still have the 'full authority and say over the services they want.' The provision has also been folded into a larger property tax relief overhaul, House Bill 335, which combines multiple bills and would deliver $3.5 billion in property tax relief, according to Thomas. House Bill 309's second hearing will take place on Wednesday, when opponents of the measure will have the chance to testify. House Bill 335 was introduced last week and awaits its first hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Lawmakers propose residency requirement for Ohio scholarship
Lawmakers propose residency requirement for Ohio scholarship

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Lawmakers propose residency requirement for Ohio scholarship

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Governor's Merit Scholarship has already helped high-achieving Ohio high schoolers attend college in-state, and Ohio senators want to ensure those students stay after graduation, too. The scholarships give $5,000 per school year to students in the top 5% of their class who agree to attend schools in the Buckeye State. Senators continued funding for the Governor's Merit Scholarship in their state budget draft, but proposed revoking the funds if students move out of state in the three years after graduating. 'Because of this scholarship, this year, an additional 1,700 of our top students have decided to go to college in Ohio and not go to college out of state,' Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. South-Western City Schools teachers, board clash over contract The scholarship began in 2023 as a way to incentivize high-achieving Ohio high school graduates to stay in state for college, and DeWine said 87% of students offered the scholarship this year accepted it. DeWine said before the scholarship, between 35-40% of Ohio's top high school graduates attended college in another state. He said keeping students in the state is even more pertinent because two-thirds of American students work in the state they graduate from. Now, senators want to ensure students are part of Ohio's workforce. Beginning in 2027, first-time scholarship recipients would have to commit to living in Ohio for the three years after graduation. Under the Senate's proposal, students would have to sign a promissory note that would require them to pay back the scholarships if they don't stay in Ohio. The Senate budget changes would also adjust student eligibility. In the 2025-2026 school year, Senators proposed giving the scholarship to just the top 2% of students at each high school. 'While no final language has been approved, our office appreciates the Ohio General Assembly's support of the Governor's Merit Scholarships,' a governor's office spokesperson said. 'We will continue to work with the General Assembly through the budget process.' Students from public schools, homeschooled, recovery dropout programs or chartered nonpublic high schools are eligible for the scholarship, which does not require an application. Instead, schools are given a specific number of scholarships to award to the top 5% of the graduating class by Nov. 1 of their graduating year. Students must actively accept the scholarships by March 1. Senate Bill 1 cosponsor calls Ohio State's Juneteenth guidelines an 'intentional overreaction' In the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio's most recently available data, there were just under 1.6 million students enrolled in eligible high schools. Although class sizes and circumstances vary, that would mean around 400,000 students graduate annually. In 2026, the top 5% of students would amount to 20,000 possible scholarship awardees. By switching to the top 2% of students, just 8,000 students would qualify in fiscal year 2027. The Senate budget allocates $47 million for fiscal year 2026 and $56,410,000 for 2027. This would allow 9,400 students to receive the full scholarship amount in 2026 and allow 11,282 students to receive the full amount in 2027. The scholarship gives 'up to $5,000' in case more students are eligible and nominated, which would lead to a prorated award. The Senate did not keep a change to the scholarship program included in the House budget draft that would let private, for-profit universities accept Governor's Merit Scholars if they signed a commitment to comply with Senate Bill 1. S.B. 1 is a sweeping anti-DEI higher education bill that goes into effect for public colleges at the end of June, but the Senate removed this provision. What potential fallout awaits when Ohio State sexual abuse documentary debuts Both the Senate and the House included provisions requiring all state institutions to accept students who graduated in the top 10% of their class, and any student in the top 5% of their class must be accepted to the main campus. Both the House and Senate followed a DeWine recommendation to guarantee high-performing high schoolers admission to state schools. The Senate budget requires all public universities to accept Ohio residents who graduated in the top 10% of their class. If students are in the top 5%, they must be accepted to the university's main campus. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Ohio governor has not called up the National Guard before 'No Kings' protests
Ohio governor has not called up the National Guard before 'No Kings' protests

Yahoo

time21 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Ohio governor has not called up the National Guard before 'No Kings' protests

With the National Guard and U.S. Marines deployed to protests in Los Angeles, some Akronites worried the same thing may soon happen here after noticing increased activity at the Ohio National Guard Recruiting Center on North Hawkins Avenue. Dan Tierney, a spokesman for Gov. Mike DeWine, on June 10 said the governor has not activated the National Guard and that the state is unaware of any federal deployment. Guard members are likely gathering in Akron for routine training, something that regularly happens in Akron and other locations across the state, Tierney said. The activity at the North Hawkins site comes four days before the scores of 'No Kings' protests that will compete for attention with an enormous military parade in Washington D.C. to honor the 250th birthday of the Army and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. The elaborate parade, which will feature U.S. tanks and war weapons, will cost taxpayers an estimated $45 million. The No Kings protests — happening locally in Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Kent, Hudson and Cleveland — are citizen driven and do not involve tax money. 'They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,' the No Kings website says. 'The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.' The military parade is scheduled to begin in D.C. at 6:30 p.m. June 14, with a concert and fireworks to follow. No Kings protests will happen at various times throughout the day. More information about times and locations are available on the group's website. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: National Guard not called up ahead of 'No Kings' protests in Akron

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store