STOP HB 8, the Unsafe Students Act + Released Time for Religious Instruction Mandate

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House Bill 8, also known as the “Forced Outing Bill” and the “Unsafe Students Act,” eviscerates the trusted relationships between students and their teachers. If passed, it would restrict how so-called “sexuality content” can be taught in schools and would potentially put students’ safety at serious risk, particularly LGBTQ+ students. 

The bill contains provisions that would censor how teachers can talk about sexual orientation and gender identity, including an outright ban on discussing those topics in grades K-3. It also would require school staff to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents, regardless of the impact on that student’s safety at home.

Beyond that, Senate Education Committee members amended SB 293, Ohio’s released time for religious instruction (RTRI) program mandate, into HB 8. RTRI programs allow students to leave school grounds with parental permission to attend a religious class.

Currently, school districts are permitted but not required to allow these programs. Some districts have chosen not to for various reasons—safety and liability concerns, the blurring of lines between church and state, disruption to the school day, and the bullying some students endure for not attending an RTRI program. This new version of HB 8 would subject every school district to these problems, whether they like it or not.

TAKE ACTION: tell members of the Ohio General Assembly to reject HB 8 and allow local school districts and families to decide what is best for their communities.

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Dear Ohio Lawmaker

I urge you to vote NO on HB 8 and allow families and school districts to decide what is best for their communities.

Message Body

HB 8 puts the privacy and safety of Ohio students at risk. It is imperative that trust between young people and a teacher or other school staff member remains intact. For students who do not feel safe at home, sometimes they have nowhere else to turn but to a teacher or guidance counselor. Additionally, HB 8’s provisions about “sexuality content” will create a culture of censorship in our schools. Current law already allows for parental notice, review, and opting out of instruction.

Amending SB 293 into the bill creates even more problems. There are serious logistical and safety concerns with organizations sponsoring released time programs transporting students off school grounds. These programs disrupt the school day for students who do not attend and their teachers. On top of that, these students may be bullied by their peers for staying behind.

These problems already exist, when released time programs are optional for school districts. Enacting this statewide mandate will subject all districts to these problems, whether they like it or not.

Allow local school districts to decide what is best for their communities. Vote NO on HB 8.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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STOP HB 8, the Unsafe Students Act + Released Time for Religious Instruction Mandate

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