Ohio governor approves ‘religious expression days’ in public schools

( WKBN ) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a new bill into law on Wednesday regarding “religious expression days,” also known as the “R.E.D.” Act, in schools.

HB 214 ‘s passing now requires each public school to adopt a policy that “reasonably accommodates the sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of students; to require each public school to adopt a policy regarding certain expectations related to the performance of staff member professional duties.”

The policies are to permit students from kindergarten through twelfth grade to be absent for up to three religious expression days.

According to the bill, school principals “shall approve such requests without inquiry into the sincerity of a student’s religious or spiritual belief system.” However, they can request verification of a parent or guardian’s signature on the absence excuse.

Schools have 90 days from Wednesday to create and adopt their new policy.

The bill is scheduled to take effect on January 1 of next year.

Senator Michele Reynolds introduced a similar bill in Ohio’s Senate last year, telling Nexstar’s WJW at the time that the change was important to give students of all religions the opportunity to observe their holidays.

“Every family should know wherever their kid goes to school, whatever district it is, on this side of a neighborhood or that side of a neighborhood or this district, that district, there should be an opportunity to observe your faith tenants,” she said in February 2023.

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