Ohio Senate Bill 1 (2025)

Last updated

Advance Ohio Higher Education Act
Seal of Ohio.svg
136th Ohio General Assembly
  • To amend sections 3335.02, 3335.09, 3337.01, 3339.01, 3341.02, 3343.02, 3344.01, 3345.45, 3350.10, 3352.01, 3356.01, 3359.01, 3361.01, 3362.01, 3364.01, 4117.14, and 4117.15; to enact new section 3333.045 and sections 3345.029, 3345.0216, 3345.0217, 3345.0218, 3345.0219, 3345.382, 3345.451, 3345.452, 3345.453, 3345.454, 3345.455, 3345.456, 3345.591, 3345.80, and 3345.88; and to repeal section 3333.045 of the Revised Code to enact the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act regarding the operation of state institutions of higher education.
CitationO.H. Legis. Assemb. . Reg. Sess. 2025-2026 (2025).
Territorial extentFlag of Ohio.svg  Ohio
Enacted by Ohio Senate
EnactedFebruary 12, 2025
Enacted by Ohio House of Representatives
EnactedMarch 19, 2025
Signed by Mike DeWine
SignedMarch 28, 2025
Effective June 27, 2025
Legislative history
First chamber: Ohio Senate
Introduced by Jerry R. Cirino
IntroducedJanuary 22, 2025
First reading February 12, 2025
Voting summary
  • 21 voted for
  • 11 voted against
Second reading March 26, 2025
Voting summary
  • 20 voted for
  • 11 voted against
Second chamber: Ohio House of Representatives
Voting summary
  • 59 voted for
  • 34 voted against
PassedMarch 19, 2025
Related legislation
Florida Senate Bill 266
Status: In force

Ohio Senate Bill 1 (S.B. 1), also known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, is a 2025 law in the US state of Ohio that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-based hiring and enrollment in universities as well as banning school faculty from going on strike. [1] It was signed by Governor Mike DeWine on March 28, 2025, and took effect on June 27, 2025. [2] [3]

Contents

The bill affects public colleges and universities. Part of its intention is to support "intellectual diversity". [4] Much of the controversy surrounding S.B. 1 involves it potentially targeting the left-wing and being ambiguous with its wording. [5] [6] It was passed along party lines in both chambers, with all Ohio Democrats opposing and five Ohio Republicans; two in the Senate and three in the House. [7] [8] A similar bill, Senate Bill 83, was proposed in 2023 by the same author but was never voted on. [9]

Provisions

S.B. 1 bans school faculty from going on strike in the state of Ohio. It bans hiring and scholarships based on current diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. It also restricts universities from commenting on anything "controversial", more specifically relating to political issues. [10] An American civics course would also be required for students in public universities. [11] Schools that violate the law would have state funding revoked. [12]

Reactions

Support

Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel congratulated the author of S.B. 1, Jerry Cirino, on the passage of the bill. [13]

Opposition

Hundreds of students at Ohio State University testified against S.B. 1 and promised to leave the state if it became law. [14] Due to a request primarily by Youngstown State University staff to put it to the voters as a referendum, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released a statement that it meets the requirements and can begin the process of gathering signatures. Yost himself did not publicly oppose the bill. [15] [16] This petition has drawn the support of several Ohio Democratic politicians including Casey Weinstein. [17]

As S.B. 1 advanced, Ohio State students, faculty and staff mobilized on campus. On March 4, 2025, a rally branded “Shred SB1” gathered at the William Thompson statue on the Oval (1–4 p.m.), organized by AAUP–Ohio State and the Ohio Student Association. Speakers included OSU faculty from more than 20 disciplines, State Rep. Munira Abdullahi, union representatives (Ohio Federation of Teachers, Wex Workers United, IATSE Local 12), and student organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jews for Justice in Palestine. [18] Reporting on the same event described “hundreds” of participants and more than a dozen speakers in a statewide day of action; AAUP–OSU leaders and students framed S.B. 1 as an attack on academic freedom and labor rights, with chants such as “S.B. 1 is a war on people.” [19]

Faculty organizers also described a chilling effect on classroom content—one instructor reported fearing to teach material on Palestinian artists. [18] Labor groups emphasized provisions curbing collective bargaining and strikes; the president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers warned S.B. 1 would “take away … rights to have a voice in what their workplace looks like.” [19] Opponents highlighted potential academic and economic impacts, arguing the bill would deter recruitment, degrade educational quality, and risk loss of federal research dollars if faculty depart the state. [19] The rally coincided with a same-day social-media post by President Donald Trump threatening to cut federal funding from institutions that “allow illegal protests,” and to have protesters expelled, arrested, or deported—statements free-speech advocates criticized as inconsistent with First Amendment protections. [18] University officials said they supported participants’ freedom of expression during the protest. [19]

Opposition extended beyond the rally. Prior to Senate passage, opponents submitted more than 830 written testimonies and over 200 in-person statements—well over 1,000 public comments against S.B. 1—with only a small fraction in support; [18] contemporaneous coverage likewise noted “hundreds” of opponent testimonies that “significantly outweighed” supporter submissions. [19] In the week leading up to the demonstration, Ohio State closed its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Student Life’s Center for Belonging and Social Change, eliminating 16 professional staff positions; campus organizers cited these actions as part of the wider climate motivating opposition to S.B. 1. [19]

References

  1. ↑ "Historic Higher Education Reform Bill Signed Into Law | Ohio Senate". Ohio Senate. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Governor DeWine Signs Bill Into Law | Governor Mike DeWine". Governor of Ohio. March 28, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  3. ↑ Seifert, Kate (June 27, 2025). "Ohio's controversial higher education, anti-DEI law takes effect". ABC6. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Education advocates want voters to decide on DEI ban in Ohio colleges, universities". WCPO 9 Cincinnati. May 27, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  5. ↑ Morona, Amy (March 25, 2025). "Senate Bill 1 could bring major changes to Ohio's public colleges". Signal Cleveland. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  6. ↑ Millard, Katie (May 8, 2025). "Here's how every public university in Ohio is preparing for Senate Bill 1 | NBC4 WCHM-TV". nbc4i.com. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ Henry, Megan (February 12, 2025). "Ohio Senate passes higher ed overhaul bill less than a day after eight hours of opponent testimony". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  8. ↑ Henry, Megan (March 19, 2025). "Ohio House Republicans pass higher education overhaul to ban diversity efforts and faculty strikes". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  9. ↑ Geniusz, Katie (February 13, 2025). "Ohio Senate passes bill that prohibits striking and DEI at universities | WOSU Public Media". WOSU Public Media. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  10. ↑ Balmert, Jessie (March 28, 2025). "DeWine signs higher ed bill that eliminates DEI, bans faculty strikes". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  11. ↑ Ludwig, Karmann (February 20, 2025). "Ohio Senate Bill 1 explained". wtol11. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  12. ↑ Hodson, Tom (March 20, 2025). "Senate Bill 1 guts academic freedom and reshapes Ohio's public universities". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  13. ↑ Cirino, Jerry (March 28, 2025). "WHY WE WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM A REALITY". Ohio Senate. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Is Senate Bill 1, Ohio's anti-DEI higher education law, driving students away?". NBC4 WCMH-TV. May 29, 2025. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Title and Summary Language Certified for Proposed Referendum on Senate Bill 1 - Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost". www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  16. ↑ Harris, Gerald (May 12, 2025). "Efforts underway to repeal Senate Bill 1". 13abc. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  17. ↑ Brown, Matthew. "Democracy & Donuts event at Sen. Casey Weinstein's home draws petition signers". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Downing, Andy (March 4, 2025). "A wide coalition unites to 'Shred SB1' at Ohio State University". Matter News. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Henry, Megan (March 5, 2025). "'Students are under attack.' Ohio State students and faculty rally against controversial bill". Mahoning Matters. Retrieved August 17, 2025– via Ohio Capital Journal.
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