Ohio Senate Passes Bill Enhancing Education and Graduation Attainmen

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed House Bill 250 which modifies the Military Enlistment Seal for high school graduation and requires every public school in Ohio to adopt a policy regarding the use of cell phones during the school day. State Senator Andrew Brenner voted in favor of this legislation.

In Ohio, students must earn “seals” in set categories to qualify for a high school diploma and demonstrate job readiness. House Bill 250 establishes two additional pathways for students to earn the Military Enlistment Seal. They can now achieve this seal by accepting a scholarship to enter the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) or by being appointed to a U.S. military service academy.

Additionally, this bill requires school districts across the state to adopt a policy regarding the use of cell phones by students during school hours. The policy must emphasize that the use of a cell phone by a student must be limited during the school day to reduce distractions in the classroom. 

"House Bill 250 lays out guidelines for schools to eliminate the hindrance of cell phone usage by students during the school day," said Brenner. "This will provide better learning environments and outcomes for both students and teachers." 

House Bill 250 was amended to include the following:

• Authorizes the Department of Education and Workforce to establish two distinct Pupil Transportation Pilot Programs, one for Central Ohio and one for Montgomery County, rather than just one program in which both counties participate
• Allocates $38 million for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to the Ohio Adoption Grant Program

"This bill also provides critical funding to the Ohio Adoption Grant Program so that our state can continue providing support to families pursuing adoption," said Brenner. 

House Bill 250 now heads to the Ohio House for concurrence.