A bill allowing indefinite expulsion from schools for threatening behavior, including writing a hitlist or bringing a gun to class, passed late December in the Ohio Statehouse and was sent to the desk of Governor Mike DeWine, who signed it into law on January 8. Previous Ohio law granted public schools the ability to expel students facing behavioral issues for up to 80 days and up to 180 days or a full school year for bringing weapons to school, making bomb threats, or causing serious physical injury to another person, with permanent expulsion reserved only for students 16 years of age and older who were convicted in court of a serious criminal offense.
Ohio House Bill 206, sponsored by Representatives Gary Click and Monica Robb Blasdel, enables superintendents to indefinitely expel students who pose health and safety threats to other students and school faculty while requiring clear instructions for readmission.
