Legislative Update and URGENT CALL-TO-ACTION for Sub. SB 178

Legislative Update for Substitute Senate Bill 178. Please see NEXT ACTION step below.

For background reference, you can click on this link to read details.

Ohio Senate Bill 178 was passed out of the senate with 22 votes in favor and 7 nays on December 7, 2022. There are 33 members of the Ohio Senate.

The following 4 members were absent:

Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-11)

Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-16)

Sen. Tina Maharath (D-3)

Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-29)

The 22 yea votes were:

Sen. Louis Blessing III (R-8)

Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-19)

Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-18)

Sen. Matt Dolan (R-24)

Sen. Theresa Gaverone (R-2)

Sen. Bob Hackett (R-10)

Sen. Frank Hoagland (R-30)

Sen. Jay Hottinger (R-31)

Sen. Matt Huffman (R-12)

Sen. Stephen Huffman (R-5)

Sen. Terry Johnson (R-14)

Sen. George Lang (R-4)

Sen. Nathan Manning (R-13)

Sen. Rob McColley (R-1)

Sen. Sandra O’Brien (R-32)

Sen. Bob Peterson (R-17)

Sen. Bill Reineke (R-26)

Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R-22)

Sen. Michael Rulli (R_33)

Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-20)

Sen. Steve Wilson (R-7)

Sen. Dale Martin (D-21)

The 7 nay votes were:

Sen. Niraj Antani (R-6)

Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-23)

Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-15)

Sen. Kristina Roegner (R-27))

Sen. Vernon Sykes (D-28)

Sen. Cecil Thomas (D-9)

Sen. Kenny Yuko (D-25)

S. B. 178 now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives. An update will be shared as soon as it is assigned to a House Committee and scheduled for hearings. The bill is being fast-tracked because the 134th General Assembly session is coming to an end this year.

In the meantime, here is the IMMEDIATE ACTION also advised by Christian Home Educators of Ohio, whose goal with this bill we share: It would be very helpful to contact your own State Representative. It is imperative we educate them on the concerns so they may consider a NO vote when this comes to the House floor. Sub. S.B. 178 REMOVES elected representation for ALL students and parents in Ohio. This is concerning for all, including home educated students and religious 08 non chartered schools. We have seen over the past few years what happens when the voice is taken from the people and left to a bureaucrat.

Be encouraged that your calls and emails WILL make a difference. In 2018, this same legislation from the same proponents could not get enough support in the House. It is a busy time of year but this issue is critically important. Please consider contacting your member and take an extra step to share this message with friends and family.

Here is a link to determine who represents you in the Ohio House, or you could call your county board of elections to get the name and contact information.

Click here to read the bill text.