General Assembly activity
The General Assembly sent House Bill (HB) 176 to Gov. Mike DeWine for his approval. The bill would revise the law governing the practice of athletic training by requiring an athletic trainer to practice under a collaboration agreement with a physician or podiatrist. The legislation would allow athletic trainers who have preexisting arrangements with chiropractors to continue these arrangements.

House activity
The House passed Senate Bill (SB) 1 by a vote of 91-1. The bill would require students who enter the ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1, 2022, to complete at least one-half unit of instruction in the study of financial literacy in either an elective course or in lieu of one-half unit of a mathematics course. The mathematics course cannot be Algebra II, or its equivalent, or a course for which the State Board of Education requires an end-of-course exam. Additionally, SB 1 would provide flexibility to school districts regarding the educational requirements of substitute teachers for the 2021-22 school year. The bill will go to the Senate for a concurrence vote.

The House rereferred HB 435 to the Rules and Reference Committee. The bill would prohibit a school district from requiring a student or employee to receive a COVID-19 vaccine unless that vaccine has been granted final approval by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, the bill establishes exemptions for students and employees should an approved COVID-19 vaccine be required by a school or employer. The exemptions included in the bill at this time are medical contraindications, natural immunity and reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. Click here for a detailed analysis.

Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee held a second hearing on SB 229, sponsored by Sen. Louis W. Blessing III (R-Colerain Township), which would temporarily extend the deadline to April 30, 2022, for a school district to submit a blended learning model to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) for the 2021-22 school year. The bill also would require a school district to provide internet access and devices to each student participating in blended learning, among other requirements. Additionally, SB 229 would prohibit the use of the chronic absenteeism measure on the state report card for the 2021-22 school year. Click here for a copy of the proponent testimony provided by OSBA.

House Primary and Secondary Education Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 333, sponsored by Reps. Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park) and Andrea White (R-Kettering), which would require the state to recommend a job description for school counselors. The bill also would require public schools to consider those recommendations when preparing job descriptions and assigning duties for school counselors. Additionally, HB 333, would require the designation of a school counselor liaison at ODE.

The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 334, sponsored by Reps. Lisa A. Sobecki (D-Toledo) and Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati), which would require school district, joint vocational school district and ESC board members to complete approved training in ethics and open meeting and public records laws. It also would increase the maximum payment such a member can receive for attending a meeting and a training program.

The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 368, sponsored by Reps. Adam C. Bird (R-New Richmond) and Gail K. Pavliga (R-Atwater), which would permit school districts and schools to establish their own policies for weighted grade averages of courses completed through the College Credit Plus program.

House Government Oversight Committee
The committee held a second hearing on HB 298, sponsored by Reps. Adam C. Bird (R-New Richmond) and Joseph A. Miller III (D-Amherst), which would change the voting membership of the State Board of Education to consist of only elected members. OSBA, the Ohio Association of School Business Officials and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators provided proponent testimony. Click here to read the testimony. Additionally, the following school board members provided proponent testimony:

The committee held a second hearing on SB 9, sponsored by Sens. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) and Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), which would require ODE and other state agencies to reduce regulatory restrictions by 30% by 2025.

Senate Ways and Means Committee
The committee held a third hearing on SB 33, which expands the income tax deduction allowed for contributions to Ohio’s 529 college savings plan and includes contributions to 529 plans established by other states.

Senate Health Committee
The committee held a second hearing on HB 122, sponsored by Reps. Mark Fraizer (R-Newark) and Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), which would establish and modify requirements regarding the provision of telehealth services of school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, occupational assistants and physical therapy assistants, among others.

House Infrastructure and Rural Development Committee
The committee held a third hearing on HB 91, which allows school districts, among others, to enter into a public-private agreement as it relates to certain public facilities; establishes a framework for public-private agreements; and provides a property tax exemption on properties involved in a public-private agreement.

Senate Financial Institutions Committee
The committee held a second hearing on HB 177, sponsored by Reps. Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township) and Fraizer, that would permit school districts, among others, to use blockchain technology.

House Agriculture and Conservation Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 397, sponsored by Reps. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) and Darrell Kick (D-Toledo), to revise the law regarding agricultural leases.

Posted by Nicole Piscitani on 10/01/2021