Parental Rights in Ohio
Ohio Parental Rights News

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Ohio State Law
Protected
We did it! Thanks in part to your support, as of January 8, 2025 (effective April 9, 2025), parental rights are strengthened under Ohio’s Parents’ Bill of Rights through House Bill 8. This law provides (in part):
HB 8 Requires public schools to adopt policies that promote parental involvement and transparency regarding student health, well-being, and instruction. Ensures parents are informed about and involved in key decisions affecting their children and reinforces their right to guide their child’s education and care.
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Ohio Courts
"Strict Scrutiny" Applied to Parental Rights
Ohio courts have recognized the right of parents to oversee the care of their children as a fundamental right deserving of the strict scrutiny standard. However, this precedent is subject to change.
In Oliver v. Feldner, 776 N.E. 2d 499, 507 (Ohio Ct. App. 2002), the Ohio Court of Appeals held, "[i]t is difficult to escape the conclusion, with eight of nine Supreme Court justices agreeing that a fundamental due process right was at stake in Troxel, that a strict-scrutiny analysis must be taken in reviewing nonparental-visitation statutes."
See also In re Thompkins, 875 N.E. 2d 582, 584-5 (Ohio 2007) and Harrold v. Collier, 836 N.E. 2d 1165, 1172 (Ohio 2005), cert denied 547 U.S. 1004 (2006).
