NE Ohio Times

State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) announced that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed House Bill 147 into law. The legislation aims to enhance the State Board of Education's ability to hold school employees accountable for misconduct.

The bill stipulates that a teacher retiring under investigation for misconduct will be treated similarly to one who resigns under the same circumstances.

"I'm proud to see House Bill 147 cross the finish line after three years of hard work," said Fowler Arthur. "The legislation will ensure that due process is always followed in teacher discipline cases and that there are no escape clauses for potential perpetrators who retire so they can rehire with a 'clean slate.' By making this overdue change, we will improve the school environment for students, teachers, administrators, and parents."

Other provisions in the bill include:

- Adding engaging in prostitution to the list of crimes for which the State Board must deny renewal of an educator license.

- Requiring public and chartered nonpublic schools to report to the State Board when a substitute teacher is removed from the eligible substitute list for conduct unbecoming of the teaching profession.

- Prohibiting an educator whose license has been revoked from being an employee or contractor of a community school.

House Bill 147 received unanimous support in both the Ohio House and Senate. The signed act will become law in 90 days.