Ohio lawmakers OK bill to tackle hate, antisemitism, harassment on campuses.

Ohio House passed the CAMPUS Act to deal with intimidation at colleges. But controversial Senate Bill 83, which would have banned mandatory DEI training and made other changes to higher ed, is stalled

Cincinnati Enquirer

Amid campus protests and conservatives' dwindling faith in higher education, Ohio lawmakers are pushing for changes at the state's universities.

A controversial higher education overhaul called Senate Bill 83 stalled in the Ohio House of Representatives Wednesday despite a marathon day of legislating. The bill would ban mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion programs, prohibit universities from taking stances on "controversial beliefs or policies" and weaken tenure when eliminating degrees or programs.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, told reporters he isn't giving up. Cirino is banking on a leadership change in the Ohio House, where Speaker Jason Stephens has said there aren't enough votes to pass it. Senate President Matt Huffman, who is vying for the speaker's gavel next year, backs Cirino's changes.

Cirino said he's tired of waiting for Stephens to send the bill to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk. "At some point, you stop negotiating with yourself if the other party won't even tell you what it is they want," Cirino said.

Stephens, on the other hand, said he's always open to negotiations. "We've talked about that issue for a long time," he said. "I've been very straightforward with the fact of where I felt our caucus was or the House is on that bill."

Ohio lawmakers approve CAMPUS Act to tackle antisemitism, racial harassment

Meanwhile, Ohio lawmakers did approve a bipartisan bill to tackle rising antisemitism, hate and harassment on campuses across the nation.

"No one should fear walking around campus with a kippah or a Star of David necklace," said Rep. Justin Pizzulli, R-Franklin Furnace, after detailing incidents where students' homes were vandalized or spat on for their Jewish faith.

Changes added to Senate Bill 94 would require public and private universities to create and enforce policies on racial, religious and ethnic harassment and intimidation. They would also be required to report all harassment and intimidation to the state annually.

"We want to make sure that we're creating an Ohio that every student regardless of who they are, who they pray to, what ethnicity or religious background they have, have the best opportunity to learn and live and be on campuses," said Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus.

The bill also includes $1 million to enhance campus security, $1 million for student organizations bringing together people of different faiths, races or ethnic groups and $2 million to protect student groups at risk of hate crimes or harassment.

Speaker Stephens called it "a very important bill" to ensure campuses are places for students to express their views freely. Cirino made clear this bill isn't a substitute for his larger overhaul. The fight would continue.

Reporter Haley BeMiller contributed to this article.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.