SAVE Students Act

The 133rd Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 123, known as the Safety and Violence Education (SAVE) Students Act, which focuses on school safety and youth suicide prevention through education and training. This legislation requires collaboration among the Ohio Departments of Education, Public Safety, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Attorney General’s Office. For full details, visit the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s website.

Key Requirements:

• For grades 6–12, schools must provide at least three total hours (or three class periods) per year of evidence-based instruction in:
   • Suicide awareness and prevention
   • Safety training and violence prevention
   • Social inclusion

• Districts must use an ODE-approved training program.

• Parents/guardians may opt their child out of this instruction by submitting a written request. [Opt-out form available here]

Erin’s Law

Under Senate Bill 288, passed by Ohio’s 134th General Assembly, updates were made to the health curriculum to include instruction on child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention, and sexual violence prevention. For more details, visit the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s website.

Key Requirements:

• Grades K–6: Schools must provide age-appropriate instruction on child sexual abuse prevention.

• Grades 7–12: Schools must provide age-appropriate instruction on dating violence prevention and sexual violence prevention.

• Parents/guardians may opt their child out of child sexual abuse prevention instruction with a written request. [Opt-out form available here]