Ohio Governor Signs Controversial Law on LGBTQ+ Content and Parental Rights in Schools

The new law mandates parental notifications on students' gender identity and restricts LGBTQ+ discussions in classrooms, drawing criticism from educators and advocacy groups.

• Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 8, known as the 'Parents' Bill of Rights,' requiring schools to notify parents if students identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming.
• The law prohibits classroom instruction on 'sexuality content' in kindergarten through third grade and mandates that such content in higher grades be 'age-appropriate.'
• Schools must inform parents of any changes related to a student's mental, emotional, or physical well-being, with no exceptions for students at risk of abuse.
• Advocacy groups and educators argue the law could harm LGBTQ+ students, particularly those with unaccepting families, and create ethical dilemmas for school staff.
• The law also allows parents to opt their children out of lessons involving LGBTQ+ topics and introduces a policy for religious instruction during school hours.

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