The Ohio Legislature passed what has been dubbed a “Parents’ Bill of Rights” on Wednesday, sending it to the Republican governor’s desk where it is most likely to be signed.
The legislation was passed in the state Senate 24-7, with only one Republican voting against the measure. The state House approved the bill 57-31.
The bill requires parents to be notified about “sexuality content” that would be taught in classrooms, with the option for the children to be opted out of the discussions.
Schools will also be required to notify parents if their child requests counseling or asks to be called by a different name or pronoun.
“Schools should not have the broad authority to keep secret information about someone else’s child. Children are not a ward of the state or a school district and are to be raised and guided by their parents,” state Sen. Andrew Brenner (R) said, WOSU Public Media reported .
The bill was strongly opposed by Democrats and LGBTQ advocates who see it as perilous for kids.