Overview
- House Bill 486, the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act, received initial sponsor testimony before the Ohio House Education Committee and remains in committee.
- The proposal would allow instruction on Christianity’s positive influence in American history in public K–12 schools and public universities without requiring such lessons.
- The bill lists examples for classroom discussion, including the pilgrims, the founders, the role of the Ten Commandments in American law, the Civil Rights movement, and evangelist Billy Graham.
- Sponsors Gary Click and Mike Dovilla said the measure is meant to reassure educators and does not authorize proselytizing or doctrinal teaching.
- Democratic lawmakers and the ACLU of Ohio argue the Christianity-specific focus is unnecessary and risks unconstitutional endorsement, situating the bill within broader efforts to expand religious content in Ohio schools.