Loychik pushes sexual orientation, gender identity discussion ban in kindergarten through 3rd grade

Ohio educators would be banned from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade under newly introduced Republican legislation that mirrors a recently passed Florida law.

House Bill 616 also requires that teaching about sexual orientation or gender identify must be age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for children in fourth through twelfth grade, according to the bill introduced Monday by GOP Reps. Jean Schmidt of Loveland and Mike Loychik of Bazetta.

The bill would also direct the State Board of Education to develop a process for parents to file complaints if educators violate provisions of the bill, according to a news release from the representatives.

Teachers or students would be given a hearing on a complaint. If a state superintendent verifies a complaint, the Ohio Department of Education would withhold school funding “based on the severity of the offense.” The bill would also create funding penalty tiers and a process for restoring the penalized funds.

“Children deserve a quality education that is fair, unbiased and age-appropriate,” Loychik is quoted in the release. “This legislation promotes free and fair discussion.”

The proposal would also prohibit the teaching of “divisive or inherently racist concepts” including the academic theory known as critical race theory. That prohibition is similar to other bills pending in the Ohio Legislature that ban schools from requiring or compelling Ohio teachers to affirm a belief in the systemic nature of racism or “the multiplicity or fluidity of gender identities.”

Schmidt said the bill affirms “that all people are equal regardless of their skin color, race, sex, religion or national origin,” according to the release.

“The classroom is a place that seeks answers for our children without political activism,” she’s quoted in the release. “Parents deserve and should be provided a say in what is taught to their children in schools. The intent of this bill is to provide them with the tools to be able to see what their child is being taught.”

House Bill 616, introduced Monday, awaits committee assignment.

The two anti-critical race theory bills introduced in May and pending before the House State and Local Government Committee are also similar to legislation introduced nationwide by GOP lawmakers.

___

Mahoning Matters staff contributed to this report.

This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 11:22 AM.