**UPDATE: Passed and Signed into law**
STOP HB 214
Say NO to unnecessary, repetitive staff conduct policies grounded in culture war issues.
House Bill 214
Summary of House Bill 214
Passed June 26, 2024
Effective January 1, 2025
Passed June 26, 2024
Effective January 1, 2025
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DESCRIPTION
Requires local school boards to adopt a policy that prohibits districts from requiring that staff, students, or job applicants align with a district's beliefs, values, or principles. TARGETS Local School Boards School Districts |
PRIMARY SPONSOR(S)
Rep Adam Holmes COMMITTEE Senate Education Committee Previously in the House Primary & Secondary Education Committee INTRODUCED June 13, 2023 HEARINGS Watch Hearings | Read Testimony Sponsor Testimony BILL General Info | Bill Text | Analysis Amendments |
What does House Bill 214 do?
Within 90 days from the effective date, each local school board must adopt a policy declaring that “the board expects all professional staff members to maintain high standards with respect to co-worker relationships and in the performance of the staff member's professional duties.”
The policy must state:
Each school district must make publicly available all policies, guidance, and training materials used for students, educators, and staff on all matters regarding specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles related to political movements, ideology, or social action.
NOTE: HB 214 does NOT prohibit, limit, or restrict any of the following:
The policy must state:
- The school district will not solicit or require an employee, student, or anyone seeking employment or academic admission to support “or opine about” “specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles concerning political movements, ideology, or social action.”
- The school district will not use statements of commitment “to specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles concerning political movements, ideology, or social action” as part of the evaluation criteria for any of the following:
- Employees
- Students
- anyone seeking employment or academic admission
- employees or students who are seeking career or academic progression or benefits.
Each school district must make publicly available all policies, guidance, and training materials used for students, educators, and staff on all matters regarding specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles related to political movements, ideology, or social action.
NOTE: HB 214 does NOT prohibit, limit, or restrict any of the following:
- A school district's authority to require a student or employee to comply with federal or state law, including anti-discrimination laws, or to take action against a student or employee for violation of federal or state law
- An educator's academic freedom
- An educator's ability to teach, research, or write publications about specific beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles concerning political movements, ideology, or social action
- A school district's authority to consider an applicant for employment's scholarship, teaching, or subject matter expertise in the applicant's given academic field
Testimony
**Do NOT submit testimony until the appropriate hearing is announced**
HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY
STEP 1:
PREPARE YOUR TESTIMONY
Read tips for preparing and submitting testimony HERE
STEP 2:
EMAIL TESTIMONY DOCUMENTS TO COMMITTEE
Email a PDF of your testimony & this completed Witness Slip to OHRPrimary&[email protected]
**IMPORTANT**
Do NOT send your testimony until the appropriate hearing is announced.
You must submit your testimony 24 hours ahead of the scheduled hearing.
Indicate in your email that you are submitting testimony and ask for a confirmation of receipt.
All testimony will be uploaded HERE
STEP 3:
ARRIVE EARLY FOR IN-PERSON TESTIMONY
Arrive at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled hearing
There is convenient parking in the Statehouse Parking Garage