This Amendment provides that only Ohio electors are permitted to contribute to political candidates, political campaigns, and groups that seek to influence elections and legislation in Ohio, including all legislative and political activity within the territorial boundary of the state, and at every level of government. All others are prohibited from contributing.

§4 Ohio electors shall be the only source of contributions to political candidates, political campaigns, and groups that seek to influence elections and legislation in Ohio. All individuals, groups, and entities, excepting Ohio electors, are prohibited from contributing to any political candidate, political campaign, and group that seeks to influence elections or legislation in Ohio.

This Section includes all Ohio candidates, Ohio political subdivision candidates, candidates for the United States House of Representatives, candidates for the United States Senate, and Electors for the Electoral College to elect the President of the United States. This Section also includes all political and legislative activity that occurs within the territorial boundary of the State.

This Amendment provides that an Ohio citizen who performs full time work is entitled to a living wage.

§22 Living Wage

Every Ohio Citizen who performs fulltime work is entitled to a living wage.

This Amendment provides that affordable healthcare is a right of every Ohio citizen. Ohio will make a public healthcare option available to every Ohio citizen, costing no more than 5% of that individual’s annual income.

§23 Healthcare in Ohio

Affordable healthcare is a basic right for every Ohio citizen. The State of Ohio shall offer an affordable public healthcare plan available to every Ohio citizen. This plan shall cost no more than 5% of an individual’s annual income, as the legislature shall direct.

This Amendment provides that Ohio shall ensure a healthy environment for Ohio citizens, now and in the future, including reducing toxic exposures and reducing pollution to the fullest extent possible.

§24 The Right to a Healthy Environment

The State of Ohio shall safeguard, protect, and guarantee a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the citizens of Ohio and their posterity.

Toxic exposures shall be reduced to the fullest extent possible. Ohio citizens shall be free from toxic exposures in their lives, in their homes, their food and beverages, and all other places where they work or find recreation within the state.

Pollution shall be reduced to the fullest extent possible. Ohio citizens shall enjoy the lowest levels of pollution possible, such as pollution in the air, water, and soil, pollution from heavy metals and radioactive materials, pollution from noise and light, and other forms of pollution that inhibits human flourishing, harms welfare, and prevents the full enjoyment of life and of witnessing the majesty of this world and the universe beyond.

This Amendment provides that criminals shall be treated humanely and prohibits capital punishment and cruel treatment. The Ohio Legislature is charged with specifying classes of acts and omissions that will be defined as cruel treatment, and shall review them every ten years, beginning in 2030.

§ 25 Humane Punishment and Treatment for Ohio Criminals

Capital punishment for any criminal sentence is prohibited. Cruel treatment, as in a deliberate act or omission that inflicts severe pain and suffering, whether physical or psychological, on someone accused or convicted of a criminal act, by any public official, is prohibited. Cruel treatment shall be determined by objective standards, with particular emphasis on acts or omissions that cause long-term physical and psychological damage.

The legislature shall specify classes of acts or omissions that will be defined as cruel treatment, and shall review such classifications every ten years, beginning in 2030.

This Amendment provides that Ohio, its political subdivisions, and all entities and organizations that receive public funds, shall not have any law, policy, or regulation concerning an individual’s color, race, ethnicity, or ancestry, including both benefits and burdens arising from such concern. All agents of the aforementioned are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of an individual’s color, race, ethnicity, or ancestry.

§ 26 Ohio as a Ancestry-Neutral State

Ohio, all of its political subdivisions, and all other entities and organizations that receive public funds, shall make no law, policy, or regulation concerning an individual’s color, race, ethnicity, or ancestry, including both benefits and burdens that may be given to an individual based on their color, race, ethnicity, or ancestry. All agents of the aforementioned are prohibited from differentiating for or against any individual or group on the basis of color, race, ethnicity, or ancestry.

This Amendment establishes the full equality of the sexes, in politics, opportunity, and equal pay for equal work. Discrimination beyond the scope of innate science-based differences by Ohio, its subdivisions, or entities that receive public funds is prohibited.

§ 27 Equality of the Sexes

Ohio establishes the full equality of the sexes, in politics, in opportunity, and in receiving equal pay for equal work. Ohio, its political subdivisions, and all other entities that receive public funds shall not discriminate in respect to sex beyond the scope of innate sex differences, as determined by objective scientific evidence.

This Amendment provides that initiatives and referenda approved in a general election shall not be amended or repealed by the General Assembly for at least 20 years after the effective date of the approved measure. An amendment or repeal of such measure is possible if the General Assembly abides by Art. II, Sec. 15 of the Ohio Constitution and puts the issue directly to the electors in a general election.

§1h An initiative or referendum approved by the electors in a general election shall not be amended or repealed by the General Assembly for twenty years after the effective date of the initiative or referendum.

An initiative or referendum may be amended or repealed within the twenty-year window, as long as the proposed amendment or repeal is submitted for the approval or rejection of the electors in a general election. Such submission to the electors requires the same legislative process found in Article II, Section 15 of the Ohio Constitution.

The proposed amendment or repeal submitted to the electors, above described, shall have printed prominently across the top thereof one of the following as appropriate: (1) Amendment to the Previously Passed, Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendment to be Submitted Directly to the Electors; (2) Amendment to the Previously Passed, Voter-Approved Initiative to be Submitted Directly to the Electors; (3) Amendment to the Previously Passed, Voter-Approved Referendum to be Submitted Directly to the Electors; (4) Repeal of the Previously Passed, Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendment to be Submitted Directly to the Electors; (5) Repeal of the Previously Passed, Voter-Approved Initiative to be Submitted Directly to the Electors; (6) Repeal of the Previously Passed, Voter-Approved Referendum to be Submitted Directly to the Electors.

This Amendment provides that a proposed initiative or referendum need not include all previously enacted language that the initiative or referendum will remove or amend, and it instead allows approved initiatives or referenda to simply supersede existing contradictory language, which must be amended to conform within 180 days by the Ohio legislature. It also provides a private right of action to those that submitted the initiative or referendum to the Secretary of State in cases where the legislature fails to pass conforming language within the 180-day window, with the Ohio Supreme Court having original and exclusive jurisdiction in such cases.

§1i An initiative or referendum approved by the electors in a general election shall supersede statutory provisions that contradict the language or purpose of the initiative or referendum. For an initiative or referendum, the proposed language need not include all pre-existing statutory language that would be removed or amended. After the initiative or referendum is approved by the electors, the legislature has 180 days to conform the Revised Code to the approved language in the initiative or referendum, taking into account both its language and its purpose.

The individual, group, or committee who submitted the petition to the Secretary of State shall have a private right of action in cases where the legislature fails to abide by this Section. The Supreme Court of Ohio shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction in any action that relates to this section.

This Amendment provides that all laws and regulations in Ohio and all of its political subdivisions must be written in plain language. All new language must immediately abide by this requirement, and all existing language must be rewritten by 2030 to conform with this language, as the legislature directs.

§ 43 All laws and regulations of any state, county, local, and other public entity must be written and published in plain language. The language must be clear, concise, well-organized, simple, easily understood, and must follow the best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. All new laws and regulations must immediately follow this section. All existing laws and regulations must be rewritten to conform with this section by the year 2030, as the legislature shall direct.

This Amendment provides the Legislature with oversight in agency rulemaking, and any agency wishing to adopt a new rule must go through a process to allow for the Legislature to adopt new rules, including (A) Notification (B) Hold a Public Hearing (C) Solicit Comments (D) Submit a Final Proposal. The Legislature may then act on the final proposal within one year before the opportunity lapses.

§ 44 Legislative Oversight for Administrative Rulemaking

Citizen oversight of agency rulemaking is vital, and the legislature shall have final determination on any and all adoptions, amendments, or recessions of any administrative agency rule.

An agency that wishes to adopt, amend, or rescind a rule shall: (1) Notify the legislature, the Secretary of State, and the public, via the register of Ohio, of the proposal; (2) Hold at least one public hearing on the merits of the proposal no less than 30 days from the initial notification; (3) Solicit comments from the public for a period of at least 90 days from the initial notification; (4) No earlier than 120 days from the initial notification, submit a final proposal to the legislature based on the hearing and public comments, as well as any and all reports, comments, and information received that involve the proposal.

After receiving the agency’s proposal, the legislature may affirm, alter, or reject the agency’s proposal as a bill. The legislature may combine any number of agency proposals into a single bill. The proposals may be acted upon by the legislature within one full year from the initial notification date. If no such action is taken within one year, the opportunity to act on the agency’s proposal lapses.

This Amendment provides that Ohio, all of its political subdivisions, and all other public bodies shall conduct a comprehensive decennial audit, with the results published accessible, free, and open to the public.

§ 45 Decennial Audit

The state, all of its political subdivisions, and any other public body shall conduct a comprehensive decennial audit, as the legislature shall direct. The results of each audit shall be published online and shall be accessible, free, and open to the public.

This Amendment provides that Justices and Judges in Ohio are no longer elected, and instead shall be appointed. Justices on the Supreme Court are appointed by the Governor for a single 21 year term. Judges for the Courts of Appeal are appointed by the Governor for a 10 year term. All other judges are appointed by county commissioners in the county in which the court is located for a 5 year term. This Amendment provides a staggered process to transition current elected occupants into appointed occupants over a set term of years.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

§ 6 (A)(1) The Chief Justice and the Justices of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a single term of twenty-one years. [The chief justice and the justices of the Supreme Court shall be elected by the electors of the state at large, for terms of not less than six years.]

(2) The judges of the Courts of Appeals shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of ten years. [The judges of the courts of appeals shall be elected by the electors of their respective appellate districts, for terms of not less than six years.]

(3) The judges of the courts of Common Pleas and the divisions thereof, and all other judges not comprehended by (1) and (2), shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners, for a term of five years, in the county in which the court is located. [The judges of the courts of common pleas and the divisions thereof shall be elected by the electors of the counties, districts, or, as may be provided by law, other subdivisions, in which their respective courts are located, for terms of not less than six years, and each judge of a court of common pleas or division thereof shall reside during his term of office in the county, district, or subdivision in which his court is located.]

(4) Terms of office of all judges shall begin on the days fixed by law. [and laws shall be enacted to prescribe the times and mode of their election.]

(5) The current Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court shall remain in their office until the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints another in their place. Beginning in 2024, the Governor shall appoint a new Justice to replace the current, longest-tenured Justice. Appointments shall occur every three years to replace the remaining elected Justices. If a Justice is unable or unwilling to finish their twenty-one year term, the Governor shall appoint a new Justice with the advice and consent of the Senate for a new twenty-one year term.

(B) The judges of the Supreme Court, courts of appeals, courts of common pleas, and divisions thereof, and of all courts of record established by law, shall, at stated times, receive, for their services such compensation as may be provided by law, which shall not be diminished during their term of office. The compensation of all judges of the supreme court, except that of the chief justice, shall be the same. The compensation of all judges of the courts of appeals shall be the same. Common pleas judges and judges of divisions thereof, and judges of all courts of record established by law shall receive such compensation as may be provided by law. Judges shall receive no fees or perquisites, nor hold any other office of profit or trust, under the authority of this state, or of the United States. [All votes for any judge, for any elective office, except a judicial office, under the authority of this state, given by the general assembly, or the people shall be void.]

(C) No person shall be [elected or] appointed to any judicial office if on or before the day when he shall assume the office and enter upon the discharge of its duties he shall have attained the age of seventy years. Any voluntarily retired judge, or any judge who is retired under this section, may be assigned with his consent, by the chief justice or acting chief justice of the Supreme Court to active duty as a judge and while so serving shall receive the established compensation for such office, computed upon a per diem basis, in addition to any retirement benefits to which he may be entitled. Laws may be passed providing retirement benefits for judges.

(6) The current judges for the Courts of Appeals shall remain in their office until the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints another in their place. Beginning in 2024, the Governor shall appoint ten new judges to replace the current, longest-tenured judges among the Courts of Appeals. Appointments of ten shall occur every year to replace the remaining elected judges. If a judge is unwilling or unable to finish their ten-year term, the Governor shall appoint a new judge, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a new ten-year term.

(7) Justices may only serve one twenty-one year term. Judges may only serve on the Courts of Appeal for two ten-year terms. All other judges are limited in serving as judges for a period of fifteen years, unless such judge did not serve in any judicial capacity for ten years or longer between appointments.

This Amendment provides automatic voter registration in Ohio for all individuals with the qualifications of an elector, and provides that electors may be unregistered when incarcerated, mentally unfit, or otherwise provided by law, and shall not be an elector if they cease to be an American Citizen, an Ohio citizen, if they become a citizen or elector of another state, or upon death.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

§ 1 Who May Vote

Every citizen of the United States, of the age of eighteen years, who has been a resident of the state, county, township, or ward, such time as may be provided by law, [and has been registered to vote for thirty days,] has the qualifications of an elector, is automatically registered to vote by the state of Ohio and is entitled to vote at all elections. [Any elector who fails to vote in at least one election during any period of four consecutive years shall cease to be an elector unless he again registers to vote.] Electors shall remain registered to vote, except during periods of incarceration or periods of being mentally unfit to vote, and such instances as may be provided by law. The elector shall no longer be considered an elector if the elector ceases to be a citizen of the United States, or a citizen of Ohio, or if they become a citizen or an elector of another state, or upon death.

This Amendment provides that Ohio shall have only one Primary Election Day per calendar year, for Ohio and all of its political subdivisions, to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February each year.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

§ 7 All nominations for elective state, district, county and municipal offices shall be made at direct primary elections or by petition as provided by law, and provision shall be made by law for a preferential vote for United States senator; but direct primaries shall not be held for the nomination of township officers or for the officers of municipalities of less than two thousand population, unless petitioned for by a majority of the electors of such township or municipality. All delegates from this state to the national conventions of political parties shall be chosen by direct vote of the electors in a manner provided by law. Each candidate for such delegate shall state his first and second choices for the presidency, but the name of no candidate for the presidency shall be so used without his written authority. Ohio, and all of its political subdivisions, shall have only one Primary Election Day per year. The Primary Election Day shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February every year.

This Amendment provides that candidates for the U.S. Senate and House, and other candidates as the legislature directs, must submit their names to the Secretary of State for an eligibility determination in light of the Ohio Constitution’s term limit language in Art. V Sec. 8, and if determined ineligible, they cannot appear on the ballot, and all write-ins for their names are void.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

Term Limits for U.S. Senators and Representatives

§ 8 No person shall hold the office of United States Senator from Ohio for a period longer than two successive terms of six years. No person shall hold the office of United States Representative from Ohio for a period longer than four successive terms of two years. Terms shall be considered successive unless separated by a period of four or more years. Only terms beginning on or after January 1, 1993 shall be considered in determining an individual’s eligibility to hold office.

All candidates for the offices of United States Senator from Ohio and United States Representative from Ohio, along with all other representatives as the legislature may direct, must submit their names to the Ohio Secretary of State for an eligibility determination respecting term limits. The Ohio Secretary of State shall determine if the candidate is eligible to hold the office that they are a candidate for in light of this section. If the candidate has served the maximum number of terms, as outlined in this Section, then the Secretary of State shall prohibit the candidate from appearing on the relevant electoral ballot for the office in question. All write-ins votes for candidates that have been prohibited from appearing on the ballot under this section shall be null and void.

This Amendment provides that the language “thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state” is replaced by language requiring Ohio to have the “most preeminent education system in the world,” with further language specifying its goals.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

School Funds

§2 The General Assembly shall make such provisions, by taxation, or otherwise, as, with the income arising from the school trust fund, will secure [a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state] the most preeminent education system in the world, for all public schools throughout the state, that fosters creativity and critical thinking, teaches virtue and wisdom, encourages grit and self discipline, ensures rational discourse and empirical reasoning, instructs practical skills and worldly knowledge, inspires the pursuit of civic prosperity and individual eudaimonia, and produces the most physically fit, mentally strong, and emotionally resilient citizens on the planet, but no religious or other sect, or sects, shall ever have any exclusive right to, or control of, any part of the school funds of this state.

This Amendment requires Ohio to construct the Great Ohio Hyperloop, a transportation system to be developed connecting each Ohio county, free to use for Ohio citizens, and that will be built to operate solely within the geographic boundaries of the state. Ohio shall forever own and operate the system, with its records made freely accessible to the public, to be built in light of the best science and technology of the time. The legislature shall reevaluate the project every twenty-five years, beginning in 2050.

§ 2t The Great Ohio Hyperloop

The state may contract debts for the purpose of providing moneys for the development, construction, and operation of an intrastate hyperloop transportation system. This Great Ohio Hyperloop shall have the purpose to serve as many Ohio citizens as practicable, and shall have at least one junction in every Ohio county. The hyperloop shall be flexible, safe, efficient, interoperable, cost-effective, free for Ohio citizens, and shall be built and maintained with the best available technological advances in transportation technology. The development, construction, and operation of the hyperloop shall be managed by the State of Ohio, and all records and transactions relating to the hyperloop shall be made readily and freely accessible to the public. The legislature shall direct how moneys will be raised and how the project will be funded, developed, built, and operated. The hyperloop shall only operate within the geographic boundaries of the state and shall never be built to integrate with any other transportation system that reaches outside the state, nor shall the State of Ohio ever relinquish the authority and responsibility of operating the hyperloop. The legislature shall reevaluate this project every twenty five years, beginning in 2050, in light of technological changes.

This Amendment provides that each Ohio county be responsible for its own microgrid, supplying power for itself and its residents; by 2035, each microgrid shall generate at least 80% of the electricity supplied within the county.

§ 8 Each County shall be responsible for its own microgrid that generates and supplies power for itself and all those who reside within the county. Beginning in 2035, each County’s microgrid shall generate at least 80% of the electricity supplied within the county.

This Amendment provides that each Ohio county be responsible for safely and efficiently incinerating, recycling, or composting all waste in a safe, environmentally-friendly, and beneficial way, to include disposing of existing landfills. When current technology for disposing waste is not viable under this provision, landfills may be utilized.

§ 9 Each County shall ensure that its waste be disposed of in a safe, environmentally friendly, and beneficial way. All waste shall be safely and efficiently incinerated, recycled, or composted. When waste is incinerated, the incineration process shall be utilized to provide electricity for Ohio. When incineration, recycling, or composting are not technically viable means of safely and efficiently disposing of certain types of waste materials, landfills may be utilized. All existing landfills shall be safely and efficiently destroyed and the contents disposed of as technological advancements permit.

This Amendment removes the prohibition on exercise taxes “on the sale or purchase of food for human consumption off the premises where sold” and allows for taxation of negative externalities, as well as goods and services harmful to the welfare of Ohio citizens, as provided by law, including externalities from pollution, unhealthy consumables and consumable ingredients, and non-scientifically based health products and services.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

Imposition of Taxes

§ 3 Laws may be passed providing for: (A) The taxation of decedents’ estates or of the right to receive or succeed to such estates, and the rates of such taxation may be uniform or may be graduated based on the value of the estate, inheritance, or succession. Such tax may also be levied at different rates upon collateral and direct inheritances, and a portion of each estate may be exempt from such taxation as provided by law. (B) The taxation of incomes, and the rates of such taxation may be either uniform or graduated, and may be applied to such incomes and with such exemptions as may be provided by law. (C) Excise and franchise taxes and for the imposition of taxes upon the production of coal, oil, gas, and other minerals; [except that no excise tax shall be levied or collected upon the sale or purchase of food for human consumption off the premises where sold.] (D) The taxation of negative externalities, and goods and services that harm the welfare of Ohio and its citizens, may be provided by law. This includes, but is not limited to, negative externalities resulting from pollutants, unhealthy food and drink items or specific ingredients of food and drink items, and non-scientifically based health products and services.

This Amendment provides that Corporations are not People, and that corporations are not entitled to the same legal status as human beings, both citizens and non-citizens, and that corporations have rights only to the extent necessary and proper for the corporation to perform its corporate telos, as outlined by Ohio’s laws and Constitution.

§8 Corporations are not people. Corporate entities are not entitled to the same rights, privileges, immunities, and all other such liberties as are entitled to human beings, both citizens and non-citizens. Corporate rights, privileges, immunities, and all other such liberties shall encompass only those rights that are necessary and proper for the corporation to perform its corporate telos, as outlined in the Ohio Constitution and as the legislature may direct.

This Amendment provides the telos for Ohio corporations, including to safeguard and promote the interests of shareholders, workers, customers, communities and the welfare and prosperity of local populations, the environment, and Ohio, both in the short and long term. Profit maximization and shareholder interest shall not be the singular goals.

§9 The Corporate Telos

All corporations formed under general laws shall, in addition to serving any lawful business practice or purpose, shall safeguard and promote the interests of its shareholders, workers, customers, communities, and shall safeguard and promote the welfare and prosperity of local populations, the environment, and the state of Ohio itself, both in the short and long term. These goals shall be responsibly balanced. Shareholder interests and profit maximization shall not be the singular goals in the conduct of the corporation’s lawful business practice or purpose.

This Amendment provides that Ohio, its political subdivisions, and all public and private corporations will verify the citizenship and residency status of each employee, independent contractor, volunteer, and other such persons to ensure that the person is legally permitted to reside and work within America and Ohio, and all aforementioned entities are prohibited from hiring or retaining anyone not legally permitted to live in or work in the same. Those entities in violation shall lose the ability to conduct business in Ohio and shall forfeit 50-100% of their gross profits earned in the fiscal year of the violation, as the legislature directs.

§ 10 Legal Residency Verification

Ohio, its political subdivisions, and all corporations, both public and private, shall verify the citizenship and residency status of each employee, independent contractor, volunteer, and any other such person and share such information with the state to ensure that such person is legally permitted to reside and work in the United States and within the state. Ohio, its political subdivisions, and all corporations are prohibited from hiring or retaining any such person that is not legally permitted to live and work in the United States and within the state. Any corporation in violation of this provision shall lose their license to conduct business within the state and shall forfeit at least half and at most all of its gross profits within the fiscal year of the violation, as the legislature shall direct.

This Amendment provides that Ohio, its political subdivisions, and all other public entities are prohibited from granting any economic incentives for specific business entities for any purpose, voids all current arrangements, and prohibits any private cause for the enforcement of this provision.

§ 11 No state, county, city, township, or other public corporation or entity may grant economic incentives for specific corporations or any other business entities for any purpose, to include inducements for relocation. Any and all current arrangements are hereby void, and affected entities must be treated as any other similarly situated business under the law. No private cause of action shall arise between a corporation or any other business entity and the state of Ohio, or any of its subdivisions, based off of the loss of voided, pre-existing economic arrangements.

This Amendment provides that press entities will be exempt from any and all taxes when their primary place of business is in Ohio, their journalism primarily affects Ohio and its citizens, and they are dedicated to truth, independence, and integrity.

§ 12 Promotion of Free and Independent Press

A free and independent press is essential to safeguard the blessings of liberty and responsible democratic institutions. Ohio press entities shall be exempt from any and all taxes when its primary place of business is in Ohio, it conducts journalism on issues that primarily affect Ohio and its citizens, on the state and local level, and it is a press entity dedicated to objective truth, journalistic independence, and professional integrity.

This Amendment removes the unconstitutional language currently restricting marriage to unions between one man and one woman and replaces it with a definition of marriage that involves two consenting adults, at least 18 years of age at the time of inception; and prohibits Ohio and its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing any marriage-like arrangement where the persons involved are under the age of 18 at the inception of the marriage.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

§11 Marriage is a union between two consenting adults, at least 18 years of age at the time of inception. Ohio and its political subdivisions shall not create nor recognize any union that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage where the persons involved were under the age of 18 at the time of inception. [Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage.]

This Amendment provides that each Ohio citizen be entitled to a free photo ID card, to include all relevant information necessary of an ID Card, including licences and driving status, and other information as the legislature directs. This ID may be required to vote in person or for the receipt of other state benefits, as the legislature directs.

§ 12 Single Universal State ID

Each Ohio Citizen shall be issued a single picture identification card. This card will be the only identification card given to Ohio citizens by the state. It shall include all relevant information, including personal identifiable information, driving status, applicable licenses, and all other such information that the legislature may direct. This card may be required to vote in person and to receive certain state benefits, as the legislature may direct. This card shall be free for Ohio citizens.

This Amendment provides that American English be the official language of the State of Ohio, and it provides that all public documents and pronouncements be made in English.

§ 13 American English as Official Language

American English is the official language for the State of Ohio. All public documents and pronouncements, to include ballots, signs, and reports, must be in English.

This Amendment provides that Ohio be energy independent by 2035, with all energy utilized by all power grids within Ohio being generated within the geographic boundaries of Ohio.

§ 14 Energy Independence for Ohio

The State of Ohio shall be energy independent by the year 2035. The energy utilized by all power grids within the state shall be generated within the geographic boundaries of the state.

This Amendment provides that by 2035, all energy utilized in Ohio be clean and renewable, and it bars non-clean and nonrenewable energy from being generated, transported, or exchanged within Ohio. This Amendment allows for non-clean and nonrenewable energy to be used so long as there are no technologically feasible clean and renewable alternatives.

§ 15 Clean and Renewable Energy in Ohio

The State of Ohio shall have all of the energy utilized in the state, both private and public, be 100% clean and renewable by the year 2035. No non-clean and non-renewable energy may be generated, transported, or exchanged within the geographic boundaries of the state starting in 2035, including, but not limited to oil, natural gas, and coal.

Certain industries that require non-clean and non-renewable power shall be permitted to continue operating using non-clean and non-renewable power, so long as there are no technologically feasible alternatives that use clean and renewable power.

This Amendment provides that by 2025, all publicly owned vehicles and all vehicles sold within Ohio be fully electric, provided that the type of vehicle has a commercially available electric vehicle equivalent that adequately performs the same required task as a similar non-all electric vehicle.

§ 16 Electric Vehicles

All publicly owned and operated vehicles within the state must be 100% electric by 2025. All vehicles sold within the state must be 100% electric by 2025. This applies to all types of vehicles, as long as there is a commercially available electric vehicle that adequately performs the same required task as the non-all electric vehicle.

This Amendment provides that all goods exchanged must list a true and comprehensive list of ingredients, including country and state of origin, additives, toxins, pollutants, hormones, and other substances the legislature directs. Entities in violation shall face a harsh penalty, as the legislature shall direct.

§ 17 All goods exchanged must state a true and comprehensive list of ingredients, as well as the country or state of origins of those ingredients, including all additives, such as added sugar, salt, fat, and preservatives, as well as all toxins, pollutants, and hormones, and all other such substances as the legislature may direct. Any entity in violation of this provision shall face a harsh penalty, such as loss of business licenses, forfeiture of all gross profits, and significant fines, as the legislature shall direct.

This Amendment provides that, by the year 2025, all public and private entities that have used or produced chemicals or products in Ohio are required to freely publish online all scientific knowledge about any chemical or product that has been in Ohio and that has been shown to be hazardous to the health of any animal, including humans. This provision preempts any private rights to confidentiality or trade secrets. Ohio shall build and maintain a database for the information provided under this Amendment. This provision applies to all preceding or succeeding public and private entities, and all related entities will be held responsible for such information. Failure to abide will result in a loss of gross profits, business licenses, and harsh criminal and civil penalties, as the legislature shall direct.

§ 18 Truth and Public Knowledge about Harmful Chemicals and Products Used in the State

All government entities, to include all levels of government, and all business entities, both public and private, must publish online, freely accessible and available to the public, all scientific knowledge regarding any chemical or product they have ever produced, manufactured, or sold in the state of Ohio that has been shown to be hazardous to the health of any organic organism from the Animalia kingdom by the year 2025. The State of Ohio shall build, collect, and maintain this repository of information, as the legislature shall direct. This provision supersedes any and all other private rights of confidentiality and corporate trade secrets and includes, but is not limited to, all relevant private corporate knowledge, proprietary information about the chemical compositions of substances, the chemical compositions themselves, all studies relating to the chemicals or products, and other internal documents relating to the harmfulness of the chemical or product in question. This also applies to all predecessor and successor entities that have used hazardous chemicals or products even if such entities have been acquired, purchased, merged with, consolidated, spun off, or otherwise transformed into an existing entity; all business entities that possess or have the ability to possess such information for which the business entity has possession of or the ability to possess such information shall be deemed to have produced, manufactured, or sold the hazardous chemical or products. Failure to abide by this provision shall be met with the forfeiture of business licenses and gross profits, as well as and harsh penalties, both criminal and civil, as the legislature shall direct.

This Amendment provides that all public and private organizations are jointly and severally liable for the cost of safely and comprehensively removing toxic chemicals polluting Ohio for which they are responsible. This applies to all organizations that are related to the polluting organization (i.e. parent, holding, and those merged, acquired, and separated).

§ 19 Joint and Several Liability for Organizations that Expose Ohio Citizens to Hazardous Chemicals

All organizations, both public and private, that are responsible for polluting the Ohio environment with a toxic chemical shall be held jointly and severally liable for the cost of safely and comprehensively removing the chemical from the environment. Liability shall reach to all parent and holding organizations of the responsible organization, as well as all organizations that have merged with, acquired, or have separated from the responsible organization.

This Amendment prohibits fracking and pipelines that transport fossil fuel, and provides that existing fossil-fuel pipelines will be shut down, dismantled, and removed, and that no private right of action arises in enforcement.

§ 20 Fracking and Pipeline Ban

Fracking is prohibited in the State of Ohio. Any and all pipelines, both intrastate and interstate, that transport fossil fuels are prohibited, and all existing pipelines that have transported, transport, or will transport must be immediately shut down, dismantled, and removed. No private action shall arise from the enforcement of this provision.

This Amendment provides that public entities and private entities that receive public funds be prohibited from engaging in specified transactions with citizens from countries that do not safeguard and protect enlightenment values, liberties, and ideals, including freedoms of speech, press, religion, peaceful assembly, equality for women, and fair trials, due process, and fair democratic elections.

§ 21 Prohibition on Contacts with Human Rights Abusers and Violators

Any public entity, and any entity that receives public funds, is prohibited from contracting, transacting, exchanging, admitting, hiring, receiving, or sponsoring any citizen from any country that does not safeguard and protect enlightenment values, liberties, and ideals, as the legislature shall direct. Such ideals must include, but are not limited to, the respecting of free speech, press, religion, and peaceful assembly, the political and social equality of women, and the right to fair trials, due process, and fair democratic elections.

This Amendment provides that Ohio only supports medicine and healthcare that is based on objective, empirical evidence, and that no public money will be given to institutions or insurance programs that support or promote treatment and medicine not based on the same.

§ 22 Science-Based Medicine and Healthcare

The State of Ohio shall only support medicine and healthcare that is based on objective, empirical science. No public monies shall be provided to any institution or insurance program that supports or promotes treatment and medicine not backed by objective, empirical scientific evidence.

This Amendment provides that the Primary Election Day and the General Election Day be designated as state holidays, and all non-essential public and private personnel are given a full day off in order to vote, with all Ohio electors given a full day’s pay.

§5 The Primary Election Day and the General Election Day are state holidays, wherein all non-essential public and private personnel are given a full day off in order to vote. All Ohio electors shall be granted a full day’s pay on each Election Day.

This Amendment provides that Ohio has only one General Election Day per year, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every year, including all issues and candidates in every level of government.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

§1 Ohio shall have only one General Election Day per year. The General Election Day shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every year. The General Election Day shall include the elections for every officer elected in Ohio, including every federal, state, county, township, municipal, school board, other special district officer, and all other elected offices for all political subdivisions. The General Election Day shall also include all constitutional amendments, initiatives, referendums, and other applicable ballot issues. [Elections for state and county offices shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even numbered years; and all elections for all other elective officers shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the odd-numbered years.] The term of office of all elective county, township, municipal, and school officers shall be such even number of years not exceeding four as may be prescribed by law or such even number of years as may be provided in municipal or county charters. The term of office for all judges shall be as provided in Article IV of this constitution or, if not so provided, an even number of years not exceeding six as provided by law. The General Assembly may extend existing terms of office as to effect the purpose of this section.

This Amendment establishes The Ohio Frontier Project. This Project is established to make Ohio the center of the world in science and technology, through funding grants, laboratories, infrastructure projects, and other such items that would lead to scientific progress. The Governor, with advice and consent of the Senate, appoints the President of the Project, and the Project will be funded with no less than 3% of Ohio’s annual budget. In building infrastructure, the Project is not bound by funding restraints, shall be built in Ohio, and such projects require a Constitutional Amendment for approval. Ballots every ten years, after soliciting ideas from Ohio electors, shall provide an opportunity for Ohioans to choose a new project, approving the one that receives the highest votes. The State of Ohio shall have at least 10% equity in all discoveries made through this Project, and profits will be paid into the general revenue fund.

§ 1 Preamble

The torch that enlightens history is the torch of scientific and human progress. From nomads to cities, we learned how to live together. From gathering to growing, we learned how to feed our hungry. From demons to germs, we discovered and fought the monsters of maladies. We pointed telescopes into the night’s sky and learned of our own place in the cosmos. We directed microscopes into the molecular world and learned of our own building blocks in the subatomic. Much we have learned, but much more we have yet to discover. For the arc of history bends towards a more enlightened world, and celebrated are those that push humanity into that everlasting frontier. Therefore, we, the people of Ohio, do ordain and establish the Ohio Frontier Project, and its mission, to explore the strange and beautiful unknown, to be the center for science and discovery for our planet, and to boldly go where no one has gone before.

§ 2 Purpose

The purpose of the Ohio Frontier Project is to make the state of Ohio the center for scientific and technological discovery for the entire planet. The Ohio Frontier Project may fund grants, laboratories, large-scale infrastructure projects, and any other item that would lead to scientific progress.

§ 3 President of the Ohio Frontier Project

The Governor shall appoint a President for the Ohio Frontier Project, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

§ 4 Funding

The State of Ohio shall allocate no less than 3% of its annual budget towards the Ohio Frontier Project.

§ 5 Large Scale Infrastructure Projects for Scientific Advancement

The State may invest and construct large-scale infrastructure projects for scientific advancement. Constitutional and statutory provisions that limit the ability to finance state projects do not apply to large-scale infrastructure projects for scientific advancement. Such large-scale infrastructure projects shall be established via constitutional amendment, as outlined in Article XVI. All projects must be built within the geographic boundaries of the state. Every ten years, the legislature shall solicit from the Ohio electors and put on the ballot a choice of at least three possible large scale infrastructure projects to be voted on and selected in the general election; the project with the most votes shall be constructed by the Ohio Frontiers Project.

§ 6 Profits Derived from Discoveries

The State of Ohio shall have equity, at least 10%, in all scientific and technological discoveries made through the Ohio Frontiers Project. Profits derived from such discoveries shall be paid into the state’s general revenue fund.

This Amendment provides that Ohio design, build, and maintain the largest, most powerful, and most scientifically useful particle accelerator in the world, measuring at least 100 kilometers long.

§ 7 The Great Ohio Particle Accelerator and Collider

Ohio shall design, build, and maintain the largest, most useful to scientific progress, and most powerful particle accelerator in the world. It shall be at least 100 kilometers long.

This Amendment provides that Ohio design, build, and maintain the largest, most powerful, and useful supercomputer in the world, involving both information technology and artificial intelligence, in an ethical and beneficial way.

§ 8 The Great Ohio Supercomputer System

Ohio shall design, build, and maintain the largest, most useful to scientific progress, and most powerful supercomputer system in the world. This computer shall prioritize innovation at the leading edge of information technology and artificial intelligence. This supercomputer system shall be developed and operated ethically, and shall be aimed towards scientific progress and towards benefiting of all of those who live in Ohio.

This Amendment provides that Ohio have the fastest internet speeds in the world and shall invest, build, and maintain such a system, with benchmarks of 1 gigabyte per second by 2027 and 1 terabyte per second by 2035.

§ 9 The Great Ohio Internet Mandate

Ohio mandates that the state shall have the fastest Internet speeds in the world. The state shall guarantee this by cooperating to invest, build, and maintain the fastest, most reliable Internet infrastructure system on the planet, with speeds no less than 1 gigabyte per second by 2027, and 1 terabyte per second by 2035.

This Amendment establishes the Great Ohio Journal of Science, a digital peer-reviewed science journal, open and accessible to the public, conforming with the highest standards, seeking studies that are notable discoveries, null results, and replications of previous studies. The journal will have a rating system, establish methods of reliability, and will enroll qualified Ohio public employees and allow all other qualified Ohio citizens to participate in the peer-review process.

§ 10 The Great Ohio Journal of Science

Ohio shall establish and maintain a digital peer reviewed science journal. This journal shall be free, open, searchable, and accessible to the public. This journal shall strive to be the most rigorous, empirically based, and scientifically sound peer-review journal possible. The studies published shall conform to the highest standards of objectivity, rationality, and empirical reasoning. The journal shall strive to publish notable scientific discoveries, as well as studies with null results and those looking to replicate previously published findings. The journal shall also publish the raw data that underlies each study submitted and approved. Retractions and incidences of fraud involving studies published in the journal shall be immediately made known to the public.

The journal shall establish methods for peer review to ensure the greatest reliability and public trust in the published articles. The journal shall also develop a rating system based on a set of objective criteria to illustrate the robustness and reliability of each published entry. All those who live and work within the state of Ohio, and all Ohio citizens living outside of the state, that are capable of serving on the peer-review process, may be enrolled as potential reviewers and shall review studies as assigned by the journal, at their election. All Ohio public employees shall be automatically enrolled as potential peer-reviewers in fields that they are capable in serving, and shall review studies assigned by the journal.

This Amendment founds the Great Ohio Idea Factory, the world’s foremost institute and laboratory in inventing new technology, employing highly qualified people in the empirical sciences and granting them wide freedom to pursue inventions. This place will be a single labyrinthian campus. Ohio will have half ownership of any and all patents, licences, and other such intellectual property.

§ 11 The Great Ohio Idea Factory

Ohio shall establish, build, and maintain the world’s foremost institute and laboratory focused on the research, development, and invention of new, creative, and world-changing technology. The Great Ohio Idea Factory shall be built on a single labyrinthine campus filled with the most modern and necessary tools to accomplish its mission. The Great Ohio Idea Factory shall employ highly qualified people who research, develop, and invent in the empirical sciences and shall grant them great freedom and significant time to pursue essential and groundbreaking goals. Ohio shall have half ownership on any and all patents, licenses, and other such intellectual property.

This Amendment founds the Great Ohio Agricultural Laboratory, the world’s foremost in genetically modified crops, with three main goals. (1) Inventing new crops, with an emphasis on nutritious staple crops for the world; (2) Inventing new crops and modifying existing crops to be grown within Ohio; (3) Developing crops that aid in the production of alcohol to be grown within Ohio. The State will have half ownership of all patents and inventions made by the Laboratory.

§ 12 The Great Ohio Agriculture Laboratory

Ohio shall establish, build, and maintain the world’s foremost laboratory focused on the research, development, and invention of genetically modified crops, with an emphasis on maximizing nutritional value, taste, sustainability, environmental friendliness, and economic viability. The Great Ohio Agriculture Laboratory shall have three goals. First, it shall focus on inventing new types of crops — with particular attention to staple crops — that may be used in changing the world by providing adequate nutrition to the impoverished. Second, it shall focus on genetically modifying existing and invented crops so that they may be grown within the geographic boundaries of Ohio. Third, it shall focus on genetically modifying grapes, barley, and other such crops that aid in the production of alcohol so that they may be grown within the geographic boundaries of Ohio. The State of Ohio shall own half of every patent and invention made by the Great Ohio Agriculture Laboratory.

This Amendment establishes the Great Ohio Healthy Living Project, the world’s foremost research project on healthy living, discovering and disseminating the best knowledge to all Ohio citizens, free of charge, focusing on physical health, longevity, and fitness. This project shall be objective and not tied to any corporation or industry, and shall adhere to the highest standards of science. The Project shall collect data on Ohioans for large-scale research, ensuring that the data collected is untraceable to specific individuals.

§ 13 The Great Ohio Healthy Living Project

Ohio shall establish and continue the world’s foremost research project on healthy living. This scientifically rigorous project shall seek to discover the best knowledge on how human beings can be as healthy as possible. The Great Ohio Healthy Living Project shall discover the best diet to maximize overall health and longevity, and minimize the problems of obesity, cancer, heart disease, and other maladies. The Great Ohio Healthy Living Project shall discover the best, most efficient way to achieve fitness, whether for stability, flexibility, mobility, strength, endurance, speed, and power, and various athletic endeavors. The Great Ohio Healthy Living Project shall produce annual reports on its findings, freely available and accessible to all Ohio citizens. The Great Ohio Healthy Living Project shall be non-partisan, non-biased, and shall not be connected to any industry or corporation, whether it be a research partnership, the receipt of funds, or any other way, that may pollute the objective, unbiased view of the Project. The Great Ohio Healthy Living Project shall conduct the highest quality science in order to discover objective truths about diet and exercise. The Great Ohio Healthy Living Project shall collect relevant health and wellness data on Ohioans, over a period of years, in large-scale longitudinal studies. This Project shall ensure that the data collected shall, in no way, be traceable to specific individuals, and also ensure that the confidentiality of individual citizens is maintained. This Project shall gain information from a whole host of private and public sources, and shall establish and maintain a database of such data, that will include all birth records, death records and causes of death, hospital stay data, to include annual checkup data, rates of types of disease, and diets of individuals, food purchases made in Ohio as provided by those that sell food to the general public, and other such categories as the Project deems necessary.

This Amendment establishes the Bank of Ohio, to promote Ohio-based industries and innovations, for the general welfare. State funds will be deposited in the bank, and other public entities may volunteer as well, and all deposits are exempted from all taxes. Ohio will fund the bank with a one-time $1 billion investment. The Bank also will be the sole repository for all fines, fees, forfeitures, and civil penalties paid to any public institution. Annual profits will be divided in half, with ½ going to the bank, and ½ going to the state’s general fund. The Bank shall also invest in Ohio-based entrepreneurs and innovations, so long as certain conditions are met.

Article XX – The Bank of Ohio

§ 1 Establishment and Purpose. The State of Ohio shall engage in the business of banking and shall maintain a system of banking owned, controlled, and operated by the state, under the name of the Bank of Ohio, for the purpose of encouraging and promoting Ohio-based agriculture, commerce, industry, entrepreneurship, inventions, innovation, student lending, banking, municipalities, and other such industries that promote the general welfare of the State.

§ 2 Funds Deposited. All state funds, to include funds of state institutions, must be deposited in the Bank of Ohio. Any other public entity may deposit its funds into the Bank of Ohio. All deposits in the Bank of Ohio are guaranteed by the state. Such deposits are exempt from federal, state, county, and municipal taxes of any and all kinds.

§ 3 Funding the Bank of Ohio. The State of Ohio shall make a one-time $1 Billion dollar investment to be utilized by the Bank of Ohio. Additionally, all fines, fees, forfeitures, and civil penalties paid to the state and any other public institution, including municipalities, townships, counties, authorities, and school districts, shall be paid directly to the Bank of Ohio.

§ 4 Profits. Half of all profits generated by the Bank of Ohio in each fiscal year shall be invested back into the bank. The other half of all profits generated by the Bank of Ohio in each fiscal year shall be transferred to the State’s general fund to be used as the legislature may direct.

§ 5 Entrepreneurship and Inventions. The Bank of Ohio shall encourage and promote Ohio-based entrepreneurs and inventors through its own investment or alongside small business accelerators, loans, grants, community banks, or other investment entities. Ventures that receive financial assistance from the Bank of Ohio shall grant the Bank of Ohio 10% non-voting equity in the corporation or patent and shall remain incorporated and have its headquarters in Ohio for at least one-hundred years. All loans, grants, and guarantees from the Bank of Ohio shall be income-contingent, to be paid back if and when the entity makes a profit above a certain threshold, over a period of years, as the Bank shall direct.

This Amendment establishes the Annual Ohio Methuselah Trust, mandating that Ohio invest ten million dollars annually, adjusted for inflation, in a 200-year term trust, that will accumulate wealth based on compound interest. After 200 years, the trust is deposited in the state’s general revenue fund. The only way Ohio may access this fund prior to 200 years is in case of foreign invasion on Ohio soil or the death or displacement of more than ½ of Ohio’s population.

§ 6 Annual Ohio Methuselah Trusts

Every year, the state of Ohio shall invest ten million dollars, annually adjusted upward for inflation, into the Bank of Ohio to serve as a Methuselah Trust. Each trust shall last a term of two hundred years and shall accumulate wealth based on compound interest, at which time the entire trust is deposited into the state’s general revenue fund, to be utilized to promote the general welfare of Ohio and its citizens. Each trust shall be untouchable in any way whatsoever, including by constitutional amendment, except in cases of foreign invasion on Ohio soil or cataclysmic disaster that results in the death or displacement of more than half of Ohio’s citizen population.

This Amendment establishes the Ohio Citizen Online System aimed to help all Ohioans interact, file, report, and access goods and services of the State of Ohio and its political subdivisions. The system shall either be built and maintained by Ohio or by a private corporation, with Ohio retaining ownership over any information to create or maintain the system, as the legislature directs. The system will offer as much content as practicable, including information on voting, taxes, the environment, budgets, crime statistics, and court filings. Ohio and its political subdivisions are required to migrate their online presence to this system, including official document submissions, making faxing and public notaries obsolete.

Article XXI – The Ohio Citizen Online System

§ 1 Establishment and Purpose. The State of Ohio shall establish an entirely secure, user-friendly, and comprehensive online system through which individuals and businesses can interact with the state and its government subdivisions freely and easily access goods and services offered by the state and its political subdivisions, fulfill filing and reporting obligations, receive objective, nonpartisan information on important public issues, and other forms of interaction in which a person transmits information or payment with the government.

§ 2 Construction and Maintenance. This online system shall be built and maintained as the legislature shall direct. The entity that constructs and maintains the system may be the state of Ohio. If contracted out to a private corporation, the system shall be built by only one corporation and the contract will require that the system be entirely secure, user-friendly, and comprehensive. Bidding requirements and other statutory language limiting the ability for the state to freely contract with private corporations do not apply to this Article. The state of Ohio shall retain ownership of any information relevant to the creation or maintenance of the system, including the intellectual property of the system, to ensure that the online system remain secure, user-friendly, and comprehensive in perpetuity.

§ 3 Content. The state shall ensure that the online system include as many state and local government goods and services as practicable. At a minimum, it shall include individual information for voting, election ballots, tax filing, state and local representative contact information, and registrations for state and local government programs. General information shall include state and local budgets, environmental information, to include possible exposures to chemicals in local areas, crime statistics, court filings and decisions, and any other information necessary for an informed citizenry in a democracy. Ohio and all of its political subdivisions are required to migrate their online presence this system, including any and all requirements for official document submissions, making faxing and public notaries obsolete; paper submissions may be allowable as a secondary submission option.

This Amendment establishes an Annual Census of 100 questions, freely accessible to all Ohioans from September to December, including important questions of the day. The Governor, with Senate approval, will determine the questions. The results will be freely and publicly available. The ability to receive public benefits and tax refunds shall be conditioned on completing the annual census. All questions will have a “Prefer Not To Answer” option. The census shall conform to the highest practices in ethics and science.

§ 4 Annual Census

The State of Ohio shall administer an anonymous annual survey to all Ohio citizens on the important questions of the day, including demographic details, knowledge questions, and opinion inquiries. The survey shall be freely accessible online from each September to December. All questions shall have a “Prefer Not To Answer” option. All information collected by the survey shall be untraceable to the individual who completed the survey. Each survey shall consist of one hundred questions. The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall determine the generation and solicitation of questions for the survey. Upon completion of the survey, the results shall be made freely accessible to the public. The ability to receive public benefits and tax refunds shall be conditioned on completion of the annual survey.

The annual census shall be created, conducted, and disseminated according to the highest ethical practices. Scientific competence, integrity, objectivity, accuracy, accountability, humility, transparency, and innovation shall rest at the heart of the annual census. The questions shall be made, phrased, and ordered in a way that clearly defines concepts, unambiguously phrases questions, formats in a simple, easy-to-follow manner, ensures a nonpartisan bent, limits sensitivity, bias, and framing effects, and conforms to the best practices according to science.

This Amendment outlines Ohio’s policy on its sovereignty and its relationship with the federal government. It states that the people of Ohio have the sole and exclusive right to govern themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent state, that Ohio and the federal government are separate, independent, and full sovereigns, and that Ohio will jealously guard its sovereignty. Federal laws or regulations that conflict with state or local policies on a subject not explicitly written in the U.S. Constitution are void, unenforceable, and unconstitutional. It affirms the Ohio Constitution as supreme as it relates to Ohio’s inherent sovereign powers.

Article L – Federal Policy

§ 1 Ohio Sovereignty. The people of Ohio have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent State.

§ 2 Dual Sovereignty. United States of America and the State of Ohio both have rights, powers, and responsibilities as separate, independent, and full sovereigns.

§ 3 Powers Jealously Guarded. The State of Ohio affirms its voluntary inclusion into the United States and its recognition of the United States Constitution and the explicit powers contained therein. All powers not explicitly granted in the United States Constitution are fully and jealously held by the State of Ohio as an independent sovereign.

§ 4 State and Federal Conflicts. Any Federal law or regulation in conflict with State or Local policy, over a subject not explicitly enumerated in the United States Constitution, is void, unenforceable, and unconstitutional.

§ 5 Ohio Supremacy Clause. This Constitution, and laws of Ohio which shall be made under it, shall be the supreme law of the land as it relates to the inherent sovereign powers of the State of Ohio, and powers not explicitly enumerated in the United States Constitution; and the judges and Justices in every state, and the federal government, shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any other state, or the laws of the Federal government, to the contrary notwithstanding.

This Act changes the Ohio Pledge to the State Flag and ensures that it immediately be recited following the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

5.013 Pledge to the State Flag

“I pledge allegiance to this flag of the great state of Ohio, and to the sovereign state for which it stands, and its enlightenment principles, with freedom, debate, and eudaimonia for all” is hereby adopted as the official pledge to the state flag. This pledge shall be recited immediately following the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States.

[“I salute the flag of the state of Ohio and pledge to the buckeye state respect and loyalty” is hereby adopted as the official pledge to the state flag. The pledge shall not replace, preempt, or be recited before the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.]

This Act changes the State Motto to, “Ohio Against The World.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

5.06 State Motto

“Ohio Against The World” [“With God, All Things Are Possible”] shall be adopted as the official motto of the state.

This Act mandates certain days are mandatory holidays, applying to all public and private institutions, excluding those deemed essential. New Year’s Day, Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are deemed mandatory holidays.

5.55 Mandatory Public and Private Holidays

Designated days and times under this section are mandatory holidays that apply to all public and private institutions, and the citizens that are employed by such institutions, within the State, excluding those essential for the health, safety, welfare, and morals of the people.

5.551 New Years. The time between the last day of the calendar year at six p.m. and the first day of the calendar year at twelve noon is a mandatory holiday.

5.552 Easter. The first Sunday following the Paschal full moon

5.553 Independence Day. The fourth of July is a mandatory holiday, as is the fifth of July until twelve noon.

5.554 Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a mandatory holiday, as is the day after Thanksgiving until twelve noon.

5.555 Christmas. Between the times of December 24th at six p.m. and December 26 at twelve noon is a mandatory holiday.

This Act establishes the Great Dionysia, an annual, week-long festival to celebrate Ohio through art, competition, and community. The Great Dionysia will have contests, to be voted on by Ohio citizens, establishing winners in the categories of song, acoustic song, love song, state pride song, painting, sculpture, tragic play, comic play, musica/opera, symphony, poem, Mr. Ohio, and Ms. Ohio. The Act sets forth procedures for establishing a festival ground, a way to freely record and broadcast the event, for administering the event through an Archon, Reeves, and Epimeletai, for curating submissions, for voting on the contestants, and for honoring the winners.

Chapter 6 The Great Dionysia

6.01 The Great Dionysia

The State of Ohio shall conduct an annual, week-long festival beginning on the first Monday in September. This festival shall celebrate Ohio, provide an opportunity to come together as one people, and add our collective spirits to advancing the human project of high art, for ourselves and our posterity.

6.02 Administration

The State of Ohio shall establish an annual festival ground to be utilized every year for the performance and gathering of the Great Dionysia. It shall also ensure that the performances and festivities be broadcast on public television, and streamed online, for all Ohio citizens to enjoy at their leisure. The State of Ohio shall also record and safeguard the recordings for posterity.

The Governor shall annually appoint an Archon to administer the Great Dionysia. The Archon shall appoint two Reeves and ten Epimeletai to assist in the production of the festival. The Reeves shall be responsible for all administrative, operational, logistical, communications, and financial aspects of the festival, to include the making of contracts. The Epimeletai shall be responsible for determining how best to curate submissions to the Great Dionysia, and shall be responsible for determining the artistic sequence of events during the festival itself. All members involved in the festival shall be Ohio citizens.

Attendance, and watching on television or online, shall be free to all Ohio citizens. All non-Ohio citizens may be charged whatever fee the Archon deems appropriate. Voting shall be conducted only by Ohio citizens, and shall be free and made available online.

The Epimeletai shall curate submissions to be performed or shown during the Great Dionysia. The Great Dionysia shall have an online portal in which Ohio citizens may make their own submissions. The online portal shall ensure that Ohio citizens may vote on which submissions they would like to see entered into the Great Dionysia in order to help the Epimeletai curate. 

The Epimeletai shall ensure that all submissions be made in accordance with the following guidelines. The entry must (a) be made by only Ohio citizens; (b) be of high quality; and (c) conform to the requirements in each category; and (d) the subject matter in each submission must relate to Ohio in some way. The Epimeletai shall be (a) viewpoint neutral; (b) be demographically blind; and (c) make decisions based strictly on the merits of each submission.

During the Great Dionysia, after each category is done performing, Ohio citizens shall be allowed to vote online, anonymously, for a single entrant in each category. The vote tallies shall be kept secret until the Great Dionysia Awards Ceremony, to be held at the end of the festival.

6.03 Contests

The Great Dionysia will showcase the following categories during the festival, to be voted on by Ohio citizens, in order to determine a winner. No entrant may submit the same submission more than once:

(a) Song; (b) Acoustic Song; (c) Love Song; (d) State Pride Song; (e) Painting; (f) Sculpture; (g) Tragic Play; (h) Comic Play; (i) Musical/Opera; (j) Symphony; (k) Poem; (l) Mr. Ohio; (m) Ms. Ohio.

Other contests may be designated by the Archon.

Ohio citizens shall be able to vote through an online portal, free of charge, in each of the contests. The entrant in each contest with the highest number of votes shall be deemed the winner.

6.04 The Great Dionysia Winners

Winners shall be crowned with a wreath of ivy during the Awards Ceremony. The entrant in each category who received the most votes shall be deemed the winner of that category. Copies of the winning work shall be preserved for all posterity.

A monument to the Great Dionysia shall be constructed, and the winners of each category shall have their names carved into the monument, to last for all time, showing all of Ohio, and our posterity, their triumph during the Great Dionysia.

This Act sets forth rules on broadcasting Ohio-based sport teams. All sports broadcasts within the geographic boundaries of Ohio shall support Ohio-based teams by broadcasting their events, even in instances of broadcast conflicts between other teams in the same sports league, and by prohibiting sports blackouts. Collegiate Ohio-based teams and events, whenever they are broadcast, shall be free and available to watch online within the state of Ohio.

9.671 Broadcasting Ohio Sports

Radio, television, and other broadcast mediums that broadcast within the geographic boundaries of Ohio shall support Ohio-based teams. Ohio-based teams are professional sports teams that use a tax-supported facility for most of their home games and receive financial assistance from the state or political subdivision where the facility is located, and collegiate sports teams whose college or university is located within the state of Ohio.

(A) Whenever there is a broadcast conflict between two or more teams, and one of those teams is an Ohio-based team, the Ohio-based team’s game shall be broadcast over the out-of-state team’s game. This applies only to teams within the same professional sports league or the same collegiate sport. When the conflict arises between two Ohio-based teams, the broadcast entity has discretion to choose which Ohio-based team to broadcast.

(B) Sports blackouts are prohibited within the state of Ohio.

(C) Collegiate Ohio-based teams or events, when otherwise broadcasted, shall be made freely available to watch online within the geographic boundaries of Ohio.

This Act establishes general requirements for law enforcement personnel in Ohio. Specifically, this Act mandates body cameras for all law enforcement officers when interacting with the public, and outlines rules for the proper safekeeping and public dissemination of body camera footage. Those that recklessly or knowingly tamper with the body cameras will be immediately terminated and prosecuted.

737.45 Law Enforcement Officer General Requirements

(A) All law enforcement officers within the state of Ohio shall abide by the provisions in this section

(B) Body Cameras. (1) All law enforcement officers shall wear body cameras while interacting with the public. (2) Police departments shall maintain the original footage for at least two years. Footage relevant to pending cases shall be maintained for twenty years past the final adjudication date of the case. (3) Reckless or knowing tampering with body cameras or body camera footage shall result in immediate termination and prosecution under 2921.12. (4) Footage of pending cases shall not be released to the public. Footage not related to any case shall not be released to the public. Footage relevant to cases shall be made public at the time the case is dropped, dismissed, adjudicated at the trial level, or otherwise completed; and released concurrently with whatever action is first in time. Footage relevant to cases shall be made available to all parties involved in such cases at the earliest practicable time. When this provision is not properly followed, affected parties have a private right of action to enforce this provision in civil court, and if they prevail, shall have their legal fees and court costs reimbursed.

This Act further protects dogs, protecting them from acts and omissions that would reasonably cause either severe or unnecessary pain and suffering, with violators guilty of a felony, while providing requirements for legally injuring or killing a dog. Public employees found guilty under this Act are immediately terminated and forfeit their rights, benefits, and privileges of public employment. All persons found guilty are unable to work or volunteer in any capacity with any level of government, public entity, or organization that receives Ohio taxpayer funds. The owner of the victimized dog shall get damages, with a minimum amount of $50,000, from the guilty felon.

959.22 Dog Protections

A) In addition to the other provisions under this chapter, dogs are further protected in the following manner: (1) No person shall recklessly or knowingly severely injure, murder, severely poison, maim, torture, starve, severely beat, or perform any other act or omission that would reasonably cause severe pain and suffering to a dog.

(2) No person shall abandon, injure, kill, poison, deprive of necessary sustenance, confine without sufficient wholesome food and water, confine without access to shelter from wind, rain, snow, excessive direct sunlight, or in any other way that may be reasonably expected to cause the animal to become sick or suffer, cause or support a dog to dogfighting, or any other act or omission that a reasonable person would expect to cause unnecessary pain and suffering for a dog. (3) Lawful killing of a dog requires that the method of killing immediately and painlessly render the dog unconscious and dead. (4) A person may injure or kill a dog by any means necessary when such person is acting in self-defense and has an objectively reasonable belief that the dog will cause severe physical harm to themselves or others.

(B) In addition to the penalties outlined elsewhere in this chapter, anyone who violates division (A)(1) of this section of shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree. Anyone who violates division (A)(2) of this section shall be guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.

(C) Anyone who is found guilty under this section, and is a public employee, shall immediately be terminated and shall forfeit all rights, benefits, and privileges of their public employment.

(D) Anyone who is found guilty under this section cannot work, volunteer, contract, subcontract, or work in any capacity with any level of government, public entity, or organization that receives Ohio taxpayer funds.

(E) Anyone who is found guilty under this section, and the dog in question belonged to another person, shall pay damages, including punitive damages, to the owner of the dog, with a minimum amount of $50,000. Considerations to the amount may be the value of the dog to the owner or owner’s family, the severity of the violation itself, the income of the violator, and any other consideration that the judge or jury finds relevant.

This Act provides how substances may be decriminalized, legalized, and regulated. If a substance is listed under this provision, the substance is legal if it is made in Ohio, exclusively sold in Ohio (if federally illegal), exclusively consumed in Ohio, and taxes are duly collected. Production and exchange is prohibited to those under 21 years old. The first substances in this provision are marijuana and psilocybin. The Ohio Legislature may add additional substances so long as they are not more harmful than contemporary legal substances.

1355 Decriminalizing, Legalizing, and Regulating Substances

Ohio shall recognize a number of substances that shall be decimalized, legalized, and regulated, so long as the production, use, and exchange of the substance falls under certain guidelines, as outlined below.

(A) List of Substances Otherwise Prohibited: (1) Marijuana; (2) Psilocybin.

(B) Standard. Substances located in (A) of this section are henceforth legal if they meet the following criteria: (a) the substance is made or manufactured in Ohio, (b) the seller’s only market is within the geographic boundaries of the state of Ohio, and thus shall not affect interstate commerce, until such time that the national government legalizes such substance, (c) the buyer possesses and uses the substance exclusively within the geographic boundaries of Ohio, and (d) taxes are duly collected on the exchange of the substances.

(C) Taxation. Each exchange of a substance listed in (A) shall be subject to an excise tax at the rate of 100%.

(D) Restrictions. Any type of production or exchange of the substances listed under (A) is prohibited for all persons under the age of 21.

(E) Additional Substances Added. The legislature may add additional substances to (A). The legislature is limited to add substances so long as the proper use of the substance is medically shown not to be more harmful than other presently legal substances.

This Act establishes a protection program for native species in Lake Erie and Ohio’s Waterways in order to restore and safeguard biodiversity. The Department of Natural Resources will manage and is charged with eliminating all hazardous invasive species, significantly reducing all other invasive species, and promoting native species. Water vessels must safeguard and guarantee that their ballast tanks are 100% free of invasive species, otherwise they are prohibited from navigating, docking, or exchanging anywhere on Ohio’s waterways or shorelines, with penalties for violators. This Act also establishes penalties for those that introduce invasive species.

Chapter 1524 Lake Erie and Ohio Waterways Native Species Protection and Sustainability

§ 01 Definitions. (A) “Native Species” refers to those organic organisms that habituated in and around Lake Erie and Ohio’s waterways and wetlands, to include the Ohio River, prior to European colonization. (B) “Invasive Species” refers to those organic organisms that habituated in and around Lake Erie and Ohio’s waterways and wetlands, to include the Ohio River, after European colonization. (C) “Hazardous Invasive Species” refers to those invasive species that pose a measurable, serious harm to the ecosystem, including the food chain, water quality, and native species populations.

§ 02 Purpose. The Purpose of this Act is to restore and safeguard the biodiversity of the native species found in Lake Erie and Ohio’s waterways, from now to posterity.

§ 03 Power and Responsibility. The Department of Natural Resources shall eliminate all hazardous invasive species; shall significantly reduce all other invasive species; and shall promote, safeguard, guarantee the restoration and flourishing of all native species. The Department of Natural Resources shall have all effective and environmentally safe means and methods at their disposal to accomplish this Act’s purpose. Methods available include, but are not limited to, the levying of fines, the introduction of massive “daughterless” species populations, and the breeding and releasing of native species.

§ 04 Ballast Tanks. All water vessels that dock on Ohio shores on Lake Erie, or on the Ohio River, or that navigate on Ohio’s waterways, shall safeguard and guarantee that their ballast tanks are 100% free of any invasive species. Any water vessels that fail to meet the 100% guarantee are not permitted to dock or otherwise exchange with Ohio’s shores, nor are they permitted to navigate on any of Ohio’s waterways. Any water vessel that violates this provision shall result in the vessel being seized, the entire crew charged with a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the corporate persons responsible charged with a felony of the fourth degree.

§ 05 Introduction of Invasive Species. Any person or corporate entity that negligently, recklessly, or knowingly introduces an invasive species shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and also shall be fined $10,000 for an individual and $10,000,000 for a corporation. This penalty shall be adjusted for inflation each year after the passage of this Act.

This Act provides for a new libel and slander standard. Plaintiffs may claim harm to their honor and reputation in addition to measurable harms, and must prove that the defamatory matter was published or spoken, that the defendant could have readily discovered the truth, that the defendant was negligent in not discovering the truth, and that it could reasonably lead a third party to have a negative and inaccurate view of the plaintiff. The defendant may protect themself if the matter is substantially true, is satire, or there is a reasonable disagreement as to the reason, science, and evidence of the matter. Whoever loses the case will pay the winner’s legal and administrative costs, including an additional minimum $100.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

2739.01 Libel and slander. In an action for a libel or slander, it is sufficient to state, generally, that the defamatory matter was published or spoken of the plaintiff. [If the allegation is denied, the plaintiff must prove the facts, showing that the defamatory matter was published or spoken of him. In such action it is not necessary to set out any obscene word, but it is sufficient to state its import.] The plaintiff need not suffer measurable economic or psychological harm in order to claim harm from the defamatory matter; harm to personal honor and general reputation is sufficient in such action. If the allegation is denied, the plaintiff must prove the facts, showing that the defamatory matter was published or spoken of them, that the truth was readily available to the defendant and that it was, by negligence, not properly ascertained before making such defamatory matter, and that the defamatory matter was of such character to harm the reputation of the plaintiff, such as defamation per se and suggestive defamatory matter that would lead a reasonable third party to a negative and inaccurate opinion of the plaintiff. The defendant shall prevail if the defamatory matter is proven substantially true, is satire or an other form of comedic ridicule, or that there is a legitimate and reasonable disagreement as to the reason, science, and evidence of a particular claim in question. In such actions, the veracity of claims shall be held to a reasonable and objective standard, and the subjective experiences of the plaintiffs or defendants shall not be relevant, to include having to prove actual malice or knowledge of the statement’s falsity. There are no differences in treatment under this section for public and private persons. Upon the final adjudication in a case, the losing party shall pay the prevailing party’s legal and administrative costs. The minimum damages amount shall be $100, excluding legal and administrative costs.

This Act prohibits so-called “Revenge Porn” and mandates that a person in pornographic material must give written, informed consent prior to anyone publishing or exchanging the material. This act allows for a defense only if the material was for a bona fide medical, scientific, judicial, or other proper purpose, by or to someone with a proper interest in the material, such as a scientist or doctor. Those that violate this section shall be guilty of a felony.

2907.49 Disseminating Pornographic Material Without Informed Written Consent of Concerned Parties.

(A) No person, with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, shall do any of the following: (1) Create, control, reproduce, direct, advertise, produce, promote, possess, present, purchase, procure, or publish any material or performance, when the offender knows that the material or performance contains sexual activity, nudity, or obscenity, and that all individual participants in such material or performance had not given their expressed and explicit written consent to have such material or performance created, reproduced, or published. (2) Promote or advertise for sale, delivery, or dissemination; sell, deliver, publicly disseminate, publicly display, exhibit, present, rent, or provide; or offer or agree to sell, deliver, publicly disseminate, publicly display, exhibit, present, rent, or provide, any material or performance that contains sexual activity, nudity, or obscenity where all individual participants in said material or performance had not given their expressed and explicit written consent to have such material or performance created, reproduced, or published;

(B) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under this section, that the material or performance involved was disseminated or presented for a bona fide medical, scientific, judicial, or other proper purpose, by or to a physician, psychologist, scientist, prosecutor, judge, or other person having a proper interest in the material or performance.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of pandering pornography without the participants’ consent, a felony of the fourth degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section, then pandering pornography without the participants’ consent is a felony of the third degree.

This Act criminalizes the reckless or knowing transmission of a sexually transmitted infection. Those that violate are guilty of a felony, whether it be curable (fifth degree) or incurable (third degree). No felony occurred if the victim who contracted the STI knowingly consented to being exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.

2907.50 Transmission of a Sexually Transmitted Infection

(A) No person shall knowingly or recklessly transmit a sexually transmitted infection to another.

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of transmitting a sexually transmitted infection, a felony of the fifth degree. If the sexually transmitted infection is incurable, then a violation of this section is a felony of the third degree.

(C) It shall be an affirmative defense if the victim who contracts the disease knowingly consented to being exposed to a sexually transmitted infection.

This Act establishes the Freedom of Movement for Children, promoting the good health and growth of children. Parents and legal guardians shall not be arrested or prosecuted if their child is outside on their own, in responsible and safe conditions. Children are allowed to be outside by themselves, so long as parents provide children with an easy method to return to adult supervision or a method to contact an adult when trouble arises. Those that knowingly or recklessly endanger children are still liable.

2919.30 Freedom of Movement for Children

(A) Purpose. This provision shall promote the good health and growth of children, including their ability to be safely and responsibly outside on their own. Parents and legal guardians shall not be arrested or prosecuted if their child is outside on their own, in responsible and safe conditions, to include, but not limited to, playing outside and walking to and from school.

(B) Method. At the permission of the parent or legal guardian, a child may walk, run, cycle, take public transportation, and play outside by themselves. Parents and legal guardians shall ensure that their children, when out on their own or with other children, have an easy method to return to the supervision of an appropriate adult, or a method to contact an appropriate adult when adverse circumstances arise.

(C) Endangering Children. Parents and legal guardians who have knowingly or recklessly created a substantial and material risk to the health or safety of their child remain liable under 2919.22 and under appropriate local codes.

This Act sets forth further prohibitions on recklessly or knowingly creating or making false criminal reports against another. If the false report alleges criminal action generally, then the person is guilty of a misdemeanor. If the false report alleges criminal sex offenses, then the person is guilty of a felony, or less, depending on the alleged sex offense.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

2921.14 Making or Causing False Reports Making or causing false report of child abuse or neglect.

(A) General Provision. No person shall recklessly or knowingly make a false report, or cause a false report, that any person has committed a criminal action. Whoever violates this section (A) is guilty of making a false allegation, a misdemeanor of the first degree, unless another penalty is listed in this provision.

(B) False Report of Child Abuse or Neglect. [(A)] No person shall knowingly make or cause another person to make a false report under division (B) of section 2151.421 of the Revised Code alleging that any person has committed an act or omission that resulted in a child being an abused child as defined in section 2151.031 of the Revised Code or a neglected child as defined in section 2151.03 of the Revised Code. [(B)] Whoever violates this section (B) is guilty of making or causing a false report of child abuse or child neglect, a felony of the fourth degree. [a misdemeanor of the first degree.]

(C) False Report of Sex Offenses. No person shall recklessly or knowingly make, or cause another person to make, a false report alleging that any person has committed a sex offense under the Ohio Revised Code. Whoever violates this section (C) is guilty of making or causing a false report of a sex offense, a felony of the fourth degree. Or, when the sex offense alleged is an offense that warrants less than a felony of the fourth degree, whoever violates this section is guilty of a felony or misdemeanor level identical to the sex offense alleged.

This Act establishes Ohio’s Sound Evidence Requirement in criminal cases. It mandates that all evidence presented in a criminal case be scientifically, empirically, and objectively sound. Defendants in prior cases based on unsound evidence may file a writ of habeas corpus, with the possibility of attaining a retrial or dismissal, depending on how important the unsound evidence was.

2946 Sound Evidence Requirement

(A) Sound Evidence Requirement

All evidence presented in a criminal case shall be scientifically, empirically, and objectively sound.

(B) Prior Reliance on Unsound Evidence

Individuals convicted of a criminal offense, having evidence against them being of unsound quality, shall gain the right to file a writ of habeas corpus. In order to attain a retrial or dismissal, the unsound evidence must have been material enough that, but for the unsound evidence, reasonable doubt may exist.

This Act revolutionizes Ohio’s graduation tests by eliminating all current tests and replacing them with a single standardized test. This test will assess the ability expected of students at the end of 12th grade. Students must pass this test in order to get a high school diploma. The State Board is charged with managing and administering the test. The test shall cover reading, writing, math, science, civics and government, history, and philosophy, including assessments on knowledge and the ability to use reason, evidence, and logic.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3301.0710 Ohio graduation tests

The state board of education shall adopt rules establishing a statewide program to assess student achievement. The state board shall ensure that all assessments administered under the program are aligned with the academic standards and model curricula adopted by the state board and are created with input from Ohio parents, Ohio classroom teachers, Ohio school administrators, and other Ohio school personnel pursuant to section 3301.079 of the Revised Code.

(A) Ohio Graduation Test. The State Board shall prescribe only one statewide-standardized test, and shall be the Ohio Graduation Test. This test shall assess the ability level expected at the end of twelfth grade in reading, writing, mathematics, the sciences, civics and government, history, and philosophy. The tests shall assess both knowledge of important facts and the ability to use reason, evidence, and logic to assess a situation. Passage of this test is required in order to attain a high school diploma.

(B) Grading Scale. The test shall be assessed on a letter grading scale, with “A” being a score between 100% and 90%, “B” being a score between 89.99% and 80%, “C” being a score between 79.99% and 70%, and an “F” being a score between 69.99% and 0%. “F” is a failing grade. All other grades are passing grades.

(C) State Board Duties. The state board shall provide practice tests, designate a statewide day to administer the test, produce and promulgate rules for exceptions to the Ohio Graduation Test in cases of students with a disability materially relevant to their ability to take the test, maintain and publish data on the test scores, and protect the anonymity of individual test takers respecting published data.

(The assessment program shall be designed to ensure that students who receive a high school diploma demonstrate at least high school levels of achievement in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.(A)(1) The state board shall prescribe all of the following:(a) Two statewide achievement assessments, one each designed to measure the level of English language arts and mathematics skill expected at the end of third grade;(b) Two statewide achievement assessments, one each designed to measure the level of English language arts and mathematics skill expected at the end of fourth grade;(c) Three statewide achievement assessments, one each designed to measure the level of English language arts, mathematics, and science skill expected at the end of fifth grade;(d) Two statewide achievement assessments, one each designed to measure the level of English language arts and mathematics skill expected at the end of sixth grade;(e) Two statewide achievement assessments, one each designed to measure the level of English language arts and mathematics skill expected at the end of seventh grade;(f) Three statewide achievement assessments, one each designed to measure the level of English language arts, mathematics, and science skill expected at the end of eighth grade.(2) The state board shall determine and designate at least five ranges of scores on each of the achievement assessments described in divisions (A)(1) and (B)(1) of this section. Each range of scores shall be deemed to demonstrate a level of achievement so that any student attaining a score within such range has achieved one of the following:(a) An advanced level of skill;(b) An accelerated level of skill;(c) A proficient level of skill;(d) A basic level of skill;(e) A limited level of skill.(3) For the purpose of implementing division (A) of section 3313.608 of the Revised Code, the state board shall determine and designate a level of achievement, not lower than the level designated in division (A)(2)(e) of this section, on the third grade English language arts assessment for a student to be promoted to the fourth grade. The state board shall review and adjust upward the level of achievement designated under this division each year the test is administered until the level is set equal to the level designated in division (A)(2)(c) of this section.(4) Each school district or school shall teach and assess social studies in at least the fourth and sixth grades. Any assessment in such area shall be determined by the district or school and may be formative or summative in nature. The results of such assessment shall not be reported to the department of education.(B)(1) The assessments prescribed under division (B)(1) of this section shall collectively be known as the Ohio graduation tests. The state board shall prescribe five statewide high school achievement assessments, one each designed to measure the level of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies skill expected at the end of tenth grade. The state board shall designate a score in at least the range designated under division (A)(2)(c) of this section on each such assessment that shall be deemed to be a passing score on the assessment as a condition toward granting high school diplomas under sections 3313.61, 3313.611, 3313.612, and 3325.08 of the Revised Code until the assessment system prescribed by section 3301.0712 of the Revised Code is implemented in accordance with division (B)(2) of this section.(2) The state board shall prescribe an assessment system in accordance with section 3301.0712 of the Revised Code that shall replace the Ohio graduation tests beginning with students who enter the ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1, 2014.(3) The state board may enter into a reciprocal agreement with the appropriate body or agency of any other state that has similar statewide achievement assessment requirements for receiving high school diplomas, under which any student who has met an achievement assessment requirement of one state is recognized as having met the similar requirement of the other state for purposes of receiving a high school diploma. For purposes of this section and sections 3301.0711 and 3313.61 of the Revised Code, any student enrolled in any public high school in this state who has met an achievement assessment requirement specified in a reciprocal agreement entered into under this division shall be deemed to have attained at least the applicable score designated under this division on each assessment required by division (B)(1) or (2) of this section that is specified in the agreement.(C) The superintendent of public instruction shall designate dates and times for the administration of the assessments prescribed by divisions (A) and (B) of this section. In prescribing administration dates pursuant to this division, the superintendent shall designate the dates in such a way as to allow a reasonable length of time between the administration of assessments prescribed under this section and any administration of the national assessment of educational progress given to students in the same grade level pursuant to section 3301.27 of the Revised Code or federal law.(D) The state board shall prescribe a practice version of each Ohio graduation test described in division (B)(1) of this section that is of comparable length to the actual test.(E) Any committee established by the department of education for the purpose of making recommendations to the state board regarding the state board’s designation of scores on the assessments described by this section shall inform the state board of the probable percentage of students who would score in each of the ranges established under division (A)(2) of this section on the assessments if the committee’s recommendations are adopted by the state board. To the extent possible, these percentages shall be disaggregated by gender, major racial and ethnic groups, English learners, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and migrant students.)

This Act revolutionizes Ohio’s school instructional material, curriculum, and textbooks. The Ohio Board of Education shall now determine and select textbooks, reading lists, general guidelines for instructional materials, and general academic curriculum. The textbooks, utilized in 5-year periods and uniform across the same subject matter and grade level, shall be accurate, effective, founded on science, objectivity, and rationality, grade appropriate, able to foster additional skills, and paid for by the Ohio Board of Education. The state also will provide reading lists according to certain criteria. Local school boards are empowered to select their own additional materials and curriculum based on the Ohio Board of Education’s guidelines.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.21 Uniform Instructional Material and Curriculum  [Authority of school board over selection of instructional materials and curriculum.]

(A) The state board of education [board of education of each school district] shall be the sole authority in determining and selecting all of the following to be used in the schools in Ohio [under its control]: (1) Textbooks, [pursuant to section 3329.08 of the Revised Code], and reading lists; (2) General guidelines for instructional materials; (3) General academic curriculum.

(B) Textbooks. (1) Each textbook shall be selected and utilized for five-year periods by the state board of education, based on the following criteria: (a) Factual accuracy of content; (b) effectiveness in teaching; (c) foundations in empirical science, objectivity, and rationality; (d) grade-appropriateness; and (e) abilities to foster additional skills, such as curiosity, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. (2) The state board of education shall provide textbooks to the boards of education of each school district, at the expense of the state board of education. (3) The board of education of each school district shall communicate with the state board of education on its textbook requirements for each school year, and shall select textbooks based on the curriculum taught in its school district. (4) There shall be a single, uniform textbook for each subject matter, for each grade. The board of education for any school district may petition the state board of education for the acquisition of an additional subject matter for a particular grade to be selected and made uniform for a subject not otherwise covered. The state board of education shall select and disseminate a single, uniform textbook when petitioned if the academic subject for the grade level is not otherwise provided. (5) The state board of education shall annually develop and promulgate uniform reading lists. Books to be included in the reading lists shall be based on the following criteria: (a) Appropriate for grade; (b) high quality English prose; (c) status as a “classic” of literature or epic poetry; (d) importance of work in the history of literature; (e) essential for developing American and Ohioan identity, culture, and pride, and; (f) the ability to foster additional skills, such as reading comprehension, curiosity, critical thinking, exposure to different ideas, and a love of reading.

(C) The board of education for each school district may determine and select their own instructional materials, not including textbooks, and academic curriculum based on the general guidelines developed and promulgated by the state board of education. [(B) The board of education of each school district may permit educators to create instructional materials, including textbooks, that are consistent with the curriculum adopted by the district board for use in the educators’ classrooms. (C) Nothing in this section is intended to promote or encourage the utilization of any particular text or source material on a statewide basis.]

This Act reforms and makes uniform the school day, ensuring that each day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m., with before and after school care freely available for all students for an hour before and after school each day.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.481 School Schedule

Wherever in Title XXXIII of the Revised Code the term “school day” is used, unless otherwise specified, that term shall be construed to mean the time during a calendar day that a school is open for instruction. A school day shall begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. every day. [pursuant to the schedule adopted by the board of education of the school district or the governing authority of the chartered nonpublic school in accordance with section 3313.48 of the Revised Code.] Before and after school care shall be fully and freely available for all students from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for those who choose to attend.

This Act protects student athletes by mandating that the equipment used be the most effective and safe equipment reasonably available for use, while prohibiting all other equipment.

3313.5318 Athletic Equipment Safety Standards

Students that participate in interscholastic athletics must be furnished with the most effective and safe equipment reasonably available for use. All other equipment is prohibited for use in interscholastic athletics.

This Act prohibits the zero-tolerance disciplinary policy mandate in school and replaces it with a discipline policy based on the best science available, restorative justice, strategies to curb bad behavior, strategies to develop virtues, social and emotional intelligence, and mutual respect, all while getting to outcomes that aim to grow, teach, and develop students into better people. Students with repeated problems will be screened for disabilities, psychological conditions, and domestic abuse.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.534 Discipline Policy for [of zero tolerance] violent, disruptive or inappropriate behavior.

(A) The board of education of each city, exempted village, and local school district shall adopt a discipline policy [of zero tolerance] for violent, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior and establish strategies to address such behavior that range from prevention to intervention. A policy adopted pursuant to this section shall comply with the requirements of sections 3313.668 and 3319.46 of the Revised Code.

(B) Each of the big eight school districts, as defined in section 3314.02 of the Revised Code, shall establish under section 3313.533 of the Revised Code at least one alternative school to meet the educational needs of students with severe discipline problems, including, but not limited to, excessive disruption in the classroom and multiple suspensions or expulsions. Any other school district that attains after that date a significantly substandard graduation rate, as defined by the department of education, shall also establish such an alternative school under that section.

(C) Students with repeated disciplinary problems shall be screened for disabilities, psychiatric conditions, and domestic abuse, with the information provided to the relevant disciplinary decision makers and educational caretakers.

(D) The Ohio Department of Education shall develop and promulgate helpful guidelines that boards of education can use to guide their own policies. The discipline policy shall be based on: (a) Restorative justice; (b) The best empirical evidence, data, and science available; (c) Discipline strategies to curb violent, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior; (d) Discipline strategies to develop self-responsibility, self-discipline, self-control, honesty, kindness, empathy, dignity, wisdom, and humanity; (e) Discipline strategies that promote social and emotional intelligence; (f) Outcomes that aim to grow, teach, and develop students into better people, and; (g) Mutual respect for all parties involved.

(E) Broad zero tolerance policies are prohibited.

This Act revolutionizes Ohio’s prescribed educational curriculum. First, it replaces the ancestry-specific mandate to be taught in history with a more wide-ranging and inclusive prescription to include individuals from all history, from the full, multicolored fabric of inspiring human experiences. Second, it removes the ability to withdraw from instruction on venereal disease education and personal safety and assault prevention. Lastly, the Act includes a wide range of new and enhanced areas to be taught in school, including in civics, government, geography, history, natural sciences and the empirically-based social sciences, law, Shakespeare, classical music, architecture, painting, cooking, cleaning, responsible personal finance, auto maintenance, home repair, personal development, family and child rearing, and philosophy and ethics. The Act also includes robust physical education, including a yearly graded physical fitness test, time for mindfulness meditation, and a focus on “how to think,” rather than “what to think.”

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.60 (A) Prescribed curriculum.

(A) The board of education of each city, exempted village, and local school district and the board of each cooperative education school district established, pursuant to section 3311.521 of the Revised Code, shall prescribe a curriculum for all schools under its control. Except as provided in division (E) of this section, in any such curriculum there shall be included the study of the following subjects:

(1) The language arts, including reading, writing, spelling, oral and written English, and literature;

(2) Civics, government, geography, and history, to include civics classes that encourage civil debate, community volunteering, critical thinking, and public speaking, government classes that outline types of government in history, and modern government structures in the United States (national, Ohio, and local). Also, history classes that track civilization from Paleolithic times, through Ancient Greece, the Enlightenment, American colonial history, the founding of America, American history, and other relevant history topics. The history of Ohio shall be taught, from ancient times, pre-colonial inhabitants, the founding of Ohio, and the history of Ohio till the present day. Focus shall also be made on important individuals in Ohio history, as well as the great individuals throughout all history, representing the full, multicolored fabric of inspiring human experiences. Geography, the history of the United States and of Ohio, and national, state, and local government in the United States, including a balanced presentation of the relevant contributions to society of men and women of African, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and American Indian descent as well as other ethnic and racial groups in Ohio and the United States;

(3) Mathematics;

(4) Natural science, including instruction in the conservation of natural resources, biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth sciences, with an emphasis on the scientific method and the importance of evidence, reason, and logic; empirically-based social sciences, including psychology, anthropology, sociology; and the basics of law.

(5) Health education, which shall include instruction in: (a) The nutritive value of foods, including natural and organically produced foods, the relation of nutrition to health, and the use and effects of food additives; (b) The harmful effects of and legal restrictions against the use of drugs of abuse, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco; (c) Venereal disease education [except that upon written request of the student’s parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in venereal disease education]; (d) In grades kindergarten through six, instruction in personal safety and assault prevention [except that upon written request of the student’s parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in personal safety and assault prevention]; (e) In grades seven through twelve, age-appropriate instruction in dating violence prevention education, which shall include instruction in recognizing dating violence warning signs and characteristics of healthy relationships. In order to assist school districts in developing a dating violence prevention education curriculum, the department of education shall provide on its web site links to free curricula addressing dating violence prevention. If the parent or legal guardian of a student less than eighteen years of age submits to the principal of the student’s school a written request to examine the dating violence prevention

instruction materials used at that school, the principal, within a reasonable period of time after the request is made, shall allow the parent or guardian to examine those materials at that school. (f) Prescription opioid abuse prevention, with an emphasis on the prescription drug epidemic and the connection between prescription opioid abuse and addiction to other drugs, such as heroin. (g) The process of making an anatomical gift under Chapter 2108 of the Revised Code, with an emphasis on the life-saving and life-enhancing effects of organ and tissue donation. (h) Beginning with the first day of the next school year that begins at least two years after the effective date of this amendment, in grades six through twelve, at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention and at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of safety training and violence prevention, except that upon written request of the student’s parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in suicide awareness and prevention or safety training and violence prevention; (i) Beginning with the first day of the next school year that begins at least two years after the effective date of this amendment, in grades six through twelve, at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of evidence-based social inclusion instruction, except that upon written request of the student’s parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in social inclusion. For the instruction required under divisions (A)(5)(h) and (i) of this section, the board shall use a training program approved by the department of education under section 3301.221 of the Revised Code. Schools may use student assemblies, digital learning, and homework to satisfy the instruction requirements under divisions (A)(5)(h) and (i) of this section.

(6) Physical education, which shall include (a) active physical activity during each school day, (b) science-based methods to attain physical fitness, (c) knowledge of sports in the history, how-to-play, and analytics for success in various sports, and (d) yearly graded physical fitness tests that test, at least, pull ups, push-ups, and a timed mile run.

(7) The fine arts, including music, with an emphasis on Shakespeare, classical music, architecture, and painting.

(8) First aid, including a training program in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which shall comply with section 3313.6021 of the Revised Code when offered in any of grades nine through twelve, safety, and fire prevention. However, upon written request of the student’s parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(9) Life skills, including cooking, cleaning, responsible personal finance management, auto maintenance, and home repair;

(10) Personal development, to include interpersonal skills, contentiousness, introspection, self-improvement, growth-mindset thinking, long-term planning, time management, grit and determination, how to deal with failure, emotional resiliency, intellectual openness, social competence, and mindfulness meditation during each school day;

(11) Family and childrearing education, including the best, most scientifically backed methods to raise, develop, and protect children;

(12) Philosophy and ethics, to include epistemology with an emphasis on empirical knowledge, inductive and deductive reasoning, humanism, general ethical guidelines to be good people, and importantly, “how to think” rather than “what to think.”

This Act reforms and revolutionizes Ohio’s sexual health and wellness curriculum, ensuring that it is 100% science-based and provided in the same way as a doctor or scientist would. Instead of fixating on abstinence and marriage, the curriculum will include biological facts, effects of sexual activity including pregnancy and infections, methods of safe and effective activity, and the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of such activity. It will also include the realities and responsibilities of parenting, what sexual activity is criminalized, and how to best raise physically fit, emotionally strong, and intellectually resilient children.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.6011 Instruction in Effective Sexual Health and Wellness Education [venereal disease education emphasizing abstinence.]

(A) As used in this section, “sexual activity” has the same meaning as in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Sex Education in the state of Ohio shall be 100% empirically and scientifically based and focused on providing information about sexual activity and the results of such activity, as a doctor or a scientist would provide. [(B) Instruction in venereal disease education pursuant to division (A)(5)(c) of section 3313.60 of the Revised Code shall emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity is the only protection that is one hundred per cent effective against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and the sexual transmission of a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

(C) In adopting minimum standards under section 3301.07 of the Revised Code, the state board of education shall require course material and instruction in [venereal disease] sexual health and wellness education courses taught pursuant to division (A)(5)(c) of section 3313.60 of the Revised Code to do all of the following:  (1) Educate students on the biological facts of sexual anatomy and of different types of sexual activity; (2) Educate students on the effects of sexual activity, to include pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections; (3) Educate students on methods for safe and effective sexual activity; (4) Educate students on the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of sexual activity; (5) Educate students on the realities of parenting, to include its physical, mental, emotional, and financial responsibilities; (6) Educate students on the circumstances in which sexual activity becomes criminalized; (7) Educate students on the most effective parenting methods to raise physically fit, emotionally strong, and intellectually resilient children. (1) Stress that students should abstain from sexual activity until after marriage; (2) Teach the potential physical, psychological, emotional, and social side effects of participating in sexual activity outside of marriage; (3) Teach that conceiving children out of wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child’s parents, and society; (4) Stress that sexually transmitted diseases are serious possible hazards of sexual activity; (5) Advise students of the laws pertaining to financial responsibility of parents to children born in and out of wedlock; (6) Advise students of the circumstances under which it is criminal to have sexual contact with a person under the age of sixteen pursuant to section 2907.04 of the Revised Code; (7) Emphasize adoption as an option for unintended pregnancies.]

(D) Any model education program for health education the state board of education adopts shall conform to the requirements of this section.

(E) On and after March 18, 1999, and notwithstanding section 3302.07 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of public instruction shall not approve, pursuant to section 3302.07 of the Revised Code, any waiver of any requirement of this section or of any rule adopted by the state board of education pursuant to this section.

This Act establishes an Ohio-wide musical instrument program, for all students, from 1st to 12th grade. Students shall be free to choose between a piano/keyboard, guitar, banjo, or violin/fiddle, provided freely and made available by the Ohio Department of Education, and shall be educated in instrument practice, musical theory, and reading/identifying music. The instruction shall occur at least twice a week, either in group or individual sessions.

3313.6027 Music Instrument Training

(A) Training Requirements. Beginning in first grade, every student shall receive musical instruction on a specific instrument. At the beginning of every school year, the student chooses an instrument to focus on for that particular year. The instruction for that specific instrument shall occur at least twice a week. These instructional periods may be individual training sessions or group training sessions. The training sessions shall include: (1) Practice on the instrument; (2) Music theory, and; (3) Instruction on reading and identifying music.

(B) Instruments shall be available to be played by all students, at the expense of the Ohio Department of Education. Students shall not be charged for the use of the instruments. The following instruments are the only available instruments, and students may freely choose from any of the following: (1) Piano, or keyboard; (2) Guitar; (3) Banjo, and; (4) Violin, or fiddle.

This Act establishes an Ohio-wide firearms training program for all students, from 1st to 12th grade, emphasizing safety, safe use, and accurate information. The culminating event, in 12th grade, will be a test with a .22 rifle testing safe handling, proper use, general knowledge, and accuracy with the firearm.

3313.6028 Firearms Training

School districts shall provide accurate, age-appropriate, and comprehensive firearms training to students in each grade, beginning in first grade and ending in twelfth grade.

Firearms training shall emphasize firearms safety, safe handling, safety rules, the proper use of firearms, debunking firearm myths as seen in popular media, general firearm knowledge, and other appropriate lessons that emphasize the safe and effective handling of firearms.

In twelfth grade, the training shall be complete with a culminating event. This culminating event shall consist of a firearms test with a .22 caliber rifle that tests safe handling, proper use, general knowledge, and an accuracy test consisting of ten rounds at 100 meters. The target used in the accuracy test shall be standard and shall be promulgated by the state board of education.

This Act revolutionizes the school year and provides that the school year be year round, with four breaks in each year-round calendar. The summer and winter recesses will be longer, not exceeding 30 days, and shall include the first two weeks of July and the last two of December in each, respectively. The Ohio Department of Education shall determine the schedule for each academic year.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.62 School year, week.

The school year shall begin on the first day of July of each calendar year and close on the thirtieth day of June of the succeeding calendar year. A school week shall consist of five days. A chartered nonpublic school may be open for instruction with pupils in attendance on any day of the week, including Saturday or Sunday.

The school year shall be year round. There shall be four breaks in each year-round calendar. There shall be longer breaks for summer and winter recess, but shall not extend for more than 30 days each. The last two weeks of December shall always be part of the winter recess. The first two weeks of July shall always be part of the summer recess. The Ohio Department of Education shall determine the schedule for each academic year.

This Act reforms the state’s dress code law and establishes an Ohio-wide dress code to promote a safe and healthy school setting. This Ohio-wide dress code prohibits all head coverings, ensures that tops and bottoms are reasonably form-fitting and in accordance with specific requirements, as listed, and ensures that shoes are closed-toed and tied, if able. Other requirements include shirts tucked into pants with belts, clothing be undamaged, only one piercing per ear be allowed, with all other piercings, jewelry, and all gauges prohibited, hair dye be a natural color, and that students maintain good hygiene. Waivers exist in cases of medical needs. Economically disadvantaged students will be provided a means to acquire conforming clothing by the Ohio Department of Education.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.665 Statewide Dress Code [Conditions for adopting dress code or school uniform policy]

In order to promote a safe and healthy school setting and enhance the educational environment, the Ohio Department of Education, and all school boards and schools, shall enforce the following dress code: (A) Hats. All hats, head coverings, and other pieces of headgear are prohibited in any school building. (B) Tops. All tops must be reasonably form-fitting and of an appropriate size as not to be too large or too small. Tops that may be worn are solid color button down shirts and solid color polo shirts. (C) Bottoms. All bottoms must be reasonably form-fitting and of an appropriate size as not to be too large or too small. Bottoms that may be worn are solid color jeans, solid color khaki pants, and solid color khaki shorts. (D) Shoes. All shoes shall be closed-toe shoes and tied, if able. (E) Additional Notes. (1) Shirts shall be tucked into pants and belts shall be worn. (2) No destroyed, frayed, damaged, or distressed clothing may be worn. (3) All gauges are prohibited. All piercings are prohibited with the exception of one piercing per ear. All other jewelry is prohibited. (4) All hair dye must be of a natural color. (5) All students must maintain good hygiene. (6) Waivers shall be granted in cases of medical need, and the substitute clothing shall conform to this Section as close as practicable. (F) Economically Disadvantaged Students will be provided the efficient and effective means to acquire clothes to conform to this policy by the Ohio Department of Education.  [In order to promote a safe and healthy school setting and enhance the educational environment, a code of conduct or discipline policy adopted by a board of education may include a reasonable dress code, or may establish a school uniform to be worn by the students attending one or more district schools. Any such dress code or uniform policy shall be included in the code of conduct or discipline policy only if all of the following conditions are met: (A) Any specific uniform selected for a school shall be determined by the district board after affording ample opportunity for principal, staff, and parents to offer suggestions and comments. (B) No specific uniform shall be required in any school until the parents of the students in the school have been given six months notice. (C) No specific uniform shall be required in any school unless the board includes in the policy adopted under this section a procedure to assist parents of economically disadvantaged students to obtain uniforms. This procedure may include using school district funds or funds from other sources to provide this assistance. (D) Any policy requiring uniforms shall provide exceptions for students participating in a nationally recognized youth organization that establishes its own uniforms, on those days that such organization has a scheduled function.]

This Act reforms and updates the state’s prohibition against students carrying electronic devices during school. This Act replaces the current law with an Ohio-wide rule, stating that all students are prohibited from carrying any personal electronic devices for the entire duration of the school day. Devices are allowed only if they are provided by the school and are instrumental in the lesson plan, and shall be only used during that lesson. Schools are required to provide a drop-point for their devices, for delivery and pick up each day. In emergencies, schools shall make telephones available in the main office.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.753 Prohibition against students carrying personal electronic devices. [electronic communications devices.]

All students are prohibited from carrying any personal electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones, video game devices, and tablets, for the entire duration of the school day. Students may carry a personal electronic device only if such device is provided by the school and is instrumental in the lesson plan. Such devices shall only be used during the duration of the lesson. Each school shall provide students a drop-point for all of their personal electronic devices before the beginning of each school day. Devices shall be returned after the school day ends, or when a student must leave school grounds. For emergencies, schools shall make telephones available in a main office. [(A) As used in this section: (1) “Electronic communications device” means any device that is powered by batteries or electricity and that is capable of receiving, transmitting, or receiving and transmitting communications between two or more persons or a communication from or to a person.(2)”School” means any school that is operated by a board of education of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district.(3) “School building” means any building in which any of the instruction, extracurricular activities, or training provided by a school is conducted.(4) “School grounds or premises” means either of the following:(a) The parcel of real property on which any school building is situated;(b) Any other parcel of real property that is owned or leased by a board of education and on which some of the instruction, extracurricular activities, or training of the school is conducted. (B) The board of education of any city, exempted village, local, joint vocational, or cooperative education school district may adopt a policy prohibiting pupils from carrying an electronic communications device in any school building or on any school grounds or premises of the district. The policy may provide for exceptions to this prohibition as specified in the policy. The policy shall specify any disciplinary measures that will be taken for violation of this prohibition.If a board of education adopts a policy under this section, the board shall post the policy in a central location in each school building and make it available to pupils and parents upon request.]

This Act provides that the Ohio state flag be displayed according to the same standards as the United States flag over, near, or within all schoolhouses in Ohio.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.80 Display of the national flag and state flag.

All boards of education, all proprietors or principals of private schools, and all authorities in control of parochial schools or other educational institutions shall display the United States flag, not less than five feet in length, over, near, or within all schoolhouses under their control, during each day such schools are in session, and shall display the Ohio flag, not less than five feet in length, over, near, or within all schoolhouses under their control, during each day such schools are in session. No person, having control of any schoolhouse or other educational institution either as an individual or in connection with any person, shall neglect or refuse to carry out this section. Each day of such refusal or neglect constitutes a separate offense.

This Act revolutionizes the standards of foods and beverages sold on school premises, charging the Ohio Department of Education DOE) to adopt nutrition standards through consultation with the Department of Health and other Ohio-based nutritional experts. The DOE will prohibit food linked with bad health, food and beverages that contain added sweeteners and sugars, fried food, and hyper-processed food, as defined. The DOE will prescribe standards that emphasize whole foods, and they will apply all food and beverages sold on school grounds, including those in vending machines and sold through delivery services.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.814 Standards governing types of foods and beverages sold on school premises.

(B) The Ohio Department of Education shall adopt nutrition standards governing the types of food and beverages that may be sold on the premises of its schools, and specifying the time and place each type of food or beverage may be sold. Each school district board of education and each chartered nonpublic school governing authority shall enforce the state’s nutrition standards. [Each school district board of education and each chartered nonpublic school governing authority shall adopt and enforce nutrition standards governing the types of food and beverages that may be sold on the premises of its schools, and specifying the time and place each type of food or beverage may be sold.]

(1) In adopting the standards, the board or governing authority shall do all of the following: (a) Consider the nutritional value of each food or beverage; (b) Consult with the Ohio Department of Health and other Ohio-based nutritional experts, so long as such experts have not been paid for work by food or beverage corporations, groups, or associations. (c) Prohibit food and beverages that have been reasonably and scientifically linked to adverse health outcomes, as determined by the Ohio Department of Health. (d) Prohibit all foods and beverages that contain added sweeteners and sugars, fried food, and hyper-processed foods — foods that are industrial formulations typically with five or more ingredients, often including those also used in processed foods, such as sugar, oils, fats, salt, antioxidants, stabilizers, and preservatives. (e) Prescribe standards that emphasize whole foods. (b) Consult with a dietitian licensed under Chapter 4759. of the Revised Code, a dietetic technician registered by the commission on dietetic registration, or a school nutrition specialist certified or credentialed by the school nutrition association. The person with whom the board or governing authority consults may be an employee of the board or governing authority, a person contracted by the board or governing authority, or a volunteer, provided the person meets the requirements of this division. (c) Consult the dietary guidelines for Americans jointly developed by the United States department of agriculture and the United States department of health and human services and, to the maximum extent possible, incorporate the guidelines into the standards.

(2) No food or beverage may be sold on any school premises except in accordance with the standards [adopted by the board or governing authority] adopted by the Ohio Department of Education, to include all vending machines delivery services, and direct selling by a third party on school premises.

(3) The standards shall comply with sections 3313.816 and 3313.817 of the Revised Code, but nothing in this section shall prohibit the standards from being more restrictive than otherwise required by those sections.

This Act provides healthy beverage items for public and charter schools during the regular and extended school day, replacing the existing language with limited types of beverages, including water, mineral water, sparkling water, unsweetened plant-based milk, and non-caffeinated unsweetened tea. This Act also prohibits any beverage with added sweeteners or artificial flavoring from being sold on school grounds, including through delivery services and in vending machines.

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3313.816 Sale of a la carte beverage items.

No public or chartered nonpublic school shall permit the sale of a la carte beverage items other than the following during the regular and extended school day: (A) For all schools: (a) Water; (b) Mineral Water; (c) Sparkling Water (d) Unsweetened Plant-based Milk; (e) Non-caffeinated, Unsweetened Tea. (B) No beverages with added sweeteners or artificial flavoring shall be sold on school grounds, to include delivery services, direct sale by third parties, and vending machines. [(A) For a school in which the majority of grades offered are in the range from kindergarten to grade four: (1) Water; (2) Milk; (3) Eight ounces or less of one hundred per cent fruit juice, or a one hundred per cent fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, that contains not more than one hundred sixty calories per eight ounces. (B) For a school in which the majority of grades offered are in the range from grade five to grade eight: (1) Water; (2) Milk; (3) Ten ounces or less of one hundred per cent fruit juice, or a one hundred per cent fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, that contains not more than one hundred sixty calories per eight ounces. (C) For a school in which the majority of grades offered are in the range from grade nine to grade twelve: (1) Water; (2) Milk; (3) Twelve ounces or less of one hundred per cent fruit juice, or a one hundred per cent fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, that contains not more than one hundred sixty calories per eight ounces; (4) Twelve ounces or less of any beverage that contains not more than sixty-six calories per eight ounces; (5) Any size of a beverage that contains not more than ten calories per eight ounces, which may include caffeinated beverages and beverages with added sweeteners, carbonation, or artificial flavoring. (D) Each public and chartered nonpublic school shall require at least fifty per cent of the a la carte beverage items, other than milk, available-for sale from each of the following sources during the regular and extended school day to be water or other beverages that contain not more than ten calories per eight ounces: (1) A school food service program; (2) A vending machine located on school property that does not sell only milk or reimbursable meals; (3) A store operated by the school, a student association, or other school-sponsored organization.]

This Act enshrines free speech, expression, and debate in institutions of higher education and modifies current law for the use of college facilities for speaking purposes. Institutions of higher education shall encourage free expression of all ideas and must make proper, content-neutral procedures for speakers invited to campus to speak, and shall protect and provide safety for those invited to speak. This Act also removes the ability to withhold speaking opportunities to communists, revolutionaries, or those deemed “not conductive to high ethical and moral standards or the primary education purposes and conduct of the functions of the institution.”

(Proposed new language is in bold type. Current language that would be repealed is in italicized, non-bold type and inside brackets. Current language that is not changed is in non-italicized, non-bold type)

3345.021 The Sacrosanct Status of Free Speech, Expression, and Debate [Control of use of college facilities for speaking purposes.]

Freedom of speech is the bedrock of life, liberty, eudaemonia, good governance, debate, reason, and progress, and is essential to the very existence of civil society, and shall be jealously protected. Free speech, expression, and debate are integral to the core mission of all institutions of higher education. Only by the maximum amount of freedom of speech, expression, and debate can society have the maximum amount of progress. If free speech is to mean anything at all, it means to be exposed to ideas that some may not want to hear.

All institutions of higher education in the state of Ohio shall encourage and protect the free expression of all ideas, and encourage the exposure of of everyone to many different viewpoints in such institutions. Institutions of higher education must make proper and content-and-viewpoint-neutral procedures for speakers to be invited to campus to speak. All speakers, who are invited to speak through proper procedures, have the essential right to speak on campus, no matter how distasteful their message may be. Institutions of higher education must guarantee the safety of the speaker, the ability of the speaker to freely speak, and access for members of the student body, or the public, to properly hear such speech. All institutions of higher education shall also foster the growth of resilient citizens by promoting the ability to hear differing opinions and to debate those they disagree with in a socially and emotionally healthy manner; coddling and infantilizing students shall be avoided at all costs. In the event that the freely expressed idea is weighed against the subjective discomfort of those that hear the idea, the freely expressed idea shall always prevail, for the very soul of our great Nation weighs in the balance. Categories of utterances not protected, such as true threats, incitements to riot, harassment, fraud, and defamation, shall not be protected in institutions of higher education. [Subject to sections 3345.0212 to 3345.0214 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of any college or university, which receives any state funds in support thereof, shall have full power and authority on all matters relative to the administration of such college or university. The board of trustees of any such college or university may delegate any administrative authority to the president of any such college or university, or to such other administrative personnel as may be designated or appointed therefor by the board of trustees.]

This Act mandates that institutions of higher education have a policy to prevent sexual offenses, protect victims, and provide due process for those accused. These institutions will educate students on the subject, protect victims by providing medical, psychological, and legal services, and provide due process to those accused. Institutions will ensure the proper prosecution of sexual offenses, immediately referring cases of alleged sexual assault and alleged false allegations to public law enforcement and making all accommodations to facilitate civil and criminal proceedings. Institutions are prohibited from prosecuting such cases.

3345.68 Preventing Sexual Offenses in Institutions of Higher Education

(A) Institutions of higher education shall develop and promulgate a policy to prevent sexual offenses, protect victims of sexual offenses, provide those accused due process, and properly prosecute cases of sexual offenses.

(B) Preventing Sexual Offenses. Institutions of higher education shall educate all students on the civil and criminal consequences of sexual offenses, effective methods to reduce one’s risk of becoming a victim of a sexual offense, and healthy communication skills to discuss sex, sexuality, and sexual offenses.

(C) Protect Victims of Sexual Offenses. Institutions of higher education shall provide purported victims of sexual offenses with medical and psychological resources. Institutions of higher education shall also provide purported victims with the information and resources necessary to be granted injunctive relief, such as a temporary restraining order, while their case is being adjudicated. Institutions of higher education, when notified of an alleged false sexual offense allegation, shall immediately refer the case to public law enforcement.

(D) Provide the Accused Due Process. All of those accused are granted, by virtue of being a human being, a presumption of innocence. Institutions of higher education are prohibited from taking away any liberty or property from the accused, absent due process.

(E) Proper Prosecution. Institutions of higher education, when notified of an alleged sexual assault, shall immediately refer the case to public law enforcement. Institutions of higher education shall provide law enforcement with all evidence relevant to the case. Institutions of higher education, not having the inherent ability of law enforcement and impartial judicial discernment, are prohibited from prosecuting the case in any way. Institutions of higher education shall make all accommodations to facilitate civil and criminal proceedings, such as temporary restraining orders and criminal trials.

This Act requires institutions of higher education to develop intellectually tested and emotionally resilient citizens by promoting free speech, expression, and debate, provide scientifically-based methods to support the development of mentally and emotionally healthy individuals, and utilize anti-bias training to provide scientifically-based methods to curb bias and promote openness to new ideas, provided that the bias and training are proven valid and effective. Institutions shall not infantilize or coddle their community members, encourage victimhood culture, or utilize safe spaces, trigger warnings, or speech codes involving hate speech, microaggressions, or microinvalidations.

3345.88 The Promotion of Resilient Citizens

(A) Mission. Institutions of higher education shall develop, as a core mission, intellectually tested and emotionally resilient citizens.

(B) Protecting Ohio Culture. Institutions of higher education shall fervidly protect the sacrosanct pillars of Ohio Culture of free speech, expression, and debate, as Ohio citizens have the right to know, utter, and argue freely according to their own conscience, above all liberties. Institutions of higher learning shall not coddle or infantilize members of their communities, nor shall they encourage victimhood culture, nor utilize safe spaces or trigger warnings, nor shall they police speech through speech codes involving hate speech, microaggressions, and microinvalidations.

(C) Mental Health. Institutions of higher education shall provide science-based methods to promote mentally and emotionally healthy individuals.

(D) Bias Training. Institutions of higher education shall promote science-based methods to curb bias and promote openness to new ideas. Training may be offered to promote the awareness and prevent the occurrence of many psychological cognitive biases. Anti-bias training shall only be offered when the objective, scientific validity of such bias is established, and the effectiveness of anti-bias training to curb the targeted bias is scientifically effective.

This Act establishes that all individuals be vaccinated before receiving any public funds or attending any school that receives public funds, before engaging in any activity on public land, and before owning, leasing, renting, or residing in any property within the State of Ohio. The Director of Health will provide a list of required vaccines. Vaccines on the list will be free and readily available to the public. No exceptions based on reasons of conscience are recognized. Those that refuse to adhere on their own behalf or on behalf of a legal dependents are guilty of a fourth degree. All vaccines under this section are required to be proven safe and effective.

3701.100 General Vaccination Requirement

(A) In addition to the requirements set forth in sections 3313.67, 3313.671, 3701.13, 3707.27, and other such sections, all individuals are required to get every vaccination approved by the Director of Health before receiving any public funds from any level of government, before attending any school that receives public money or activity on any public land, and before owning, leasing, renting, or residing in any property within the State of Ohio, provided that the means, methods, and efficacies of the vaccine are scientifically proven to be safe and effective.

(B) The Director of Health shall approve a list of required vaccines for all classes of persons and shall ensure that the vaccines are freely and readily available to the public, at public expense.

(C) Notwithstanding 3313.67, 3701.13, 3707.27, and other such sections, there are no exceptions based on reasons of conscience, to include religious convictions, to the immunization requirement in this Section.

(D) An individual who refuses the vaccination requirement under this Section, or who refuses on behalf of their legal dependent, is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.

This Act establishes general rules for healthcare plans for Ohio citizens, and establishes one free Annual Checkup for all. This checkup will include vital statistics, exams normally provided in an annual medical screening, a metabolic panel, screenings for STIs and other infections and exposures as listed, information on diet and exercise, and other tests as the Director of Health may direct. The results will be compiled by the state for scientific purposes and made anonymous, and shall be untraceable to individual Ohio citizens.

3708 Healthcare Requirements

3708.01 General Provision

All provisions in this Chapter shall be included in any healthcare plan for any citizen of Ohio. Absent a healthcare plan, the State of Ohio shall provide for these provisions for any citizen without healthcare. This Chapter’s goal is to ensure universal coverage for the provisions in this Chapter, as the State of Ohio has deemed them vitally important to protect the health, safety, welfare, and morals of its people.

3708.02 Annual Checkup

(A) Each Ohio citizen is entitled to one general annual medical checkup.

(B) The annual medical checkup shall, at a minimum, consist of the following components: (1) Vital statistics, to include height, weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature; (2) Basic exams normally provided in an annual medical screening, to include head, neck, throat, ear, lung, heart, abdominal, and mental state exams; (3) A comprehensive metabolic panel; (4) A full sexually transmitted infection screening; (5) Screening for Toxoplasma Gondi; (6) Tests to detect the following pollutants and toxins: lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and other harmful toxins and pollutants as determined by the Director of Health; (7) Relevant information relating to diet and exercise for the patient, and; (8) Other necessary and effective tests to properly screen for diseases, infections, and other adverse health maladies, as the Director of Health may direct.

(C) The results from the medical tests shall be compiled by the state of Ohio. The results shall be anonymous and such results must not be able to be made traceable to individual Ohio citizens. This data shall be compiled and used for scientific purposes only.

This Act establishes general rules for any and all healthcare plans for any Ohio citizen, and establishes that Intrauterine Devices be available for all females, beginning at an appropriate age as determined by a medical professional, free of cost to the patient. This option will be given alongside medically and scientifically accurate information about the benefits of risks of IUDs, other forms of birth control, the prevention of STIs, and abstinence.

3708 Healthcare Requirements

3708.01 General Provision

All provisions in this Chapter shall be included in any healthcare plan for any citizen of Ohio. Absent a healthcare plan, the State of Ohio shall provide for these provisions for any citizen without healthcare. This Chapter’s goal is to ensure universal coverage for the provisions in this Chapter that the State of Ohio has deemed vitally important to protect the health, safety, welfare, and morals of its people.    

3708.03 Intrauterine Devices

All females, beginning at an appropriate age as determined by a medical professional, shall be granted the option of having an intrauterine device (IUD) in order to prevent pregnancy. The IUD shall be free of cost to the patient. The option shall be given alongside medically and scientifically accurate information about the benefits of risks of IUDs, other forms of birth control, the prevention of STIs, and abstinence. 

This Act creates a revolutionary mandate to eliminate all lead hazards in Ohio. The Ohio Director of Health is charged with eliminating all lead hazards within the state by the year 2025, and is given the powers of eminent domain of property, public works, and infrastructure, as well as the ability to seek full compensation from those that knowingly, recklessly, or negligently caused lead hazards. The Director is also charged with a full record of the location and elimination of lead hazards, the Director’s actions pursuant of the goal, and all parties responsible for causing lead hazards.

3742.52 Lead Hazard Elimination

(A) The Director of Health shall ensure that lead hazards are completely eliminated within the geographic boundaries of the state by the year 2025.

(B) The Director of Health has the following additional powers in pursuance of this Section:

(1) Eminent domain and demolition of any property that contains lead hazards;

(2) Eminent domain, demolition, and replacement of any public works and infrastructure that contains lead hazards;

(3) The ability to seek full compensation from any person, corporation, or entity that has knowingly, recklessly, or negligently caused lead hazards, in order to eliminate lead hazards;

(C) The Director shall publish a full record of all findings and eliminations of lead hazards, the director’s actions in pursuance of eliminating lead hazards, and all parties responsible for causing lead hazards.

This Act provides a safe way to conduct a duel of fisticuffs without fear of civil or criminal consequences. Duals will be requested and accepted according to certain rules, and shall stop when one person yields or falls to the ground. The only permitted instruments of violence are the fists and hands. Gouging, clawing, poking, throat punching, ear pulling, and blows to the genitals are prohibited. Those that fail to adhere to these rules shall be guilty under the relevant criminal and civil code.

Chapter 3773.75

(A) Purpose. Ohio citizens shall be allowed to get into fisticuff duels with one another without fear of civil and criminal consequence, under certain circumstances. This section’s purpose is to regulate the act of physical violence, to safely channel human spirits, and to prevent the over-criminalization of normal human actions.

(B) Method. Willing participants in a physical Duel of Fisticuffs shall not be found criminally or civilly liable if they perform their Duel in the following manner: (a) One individual explicitly challenges another to a Duel of Fisticuffs. Phrasing such as “I challenge you to a Duel of Fisticuffs” or “I challenge you to a Duel” shall be sufficient. (b) The challenged individual, having fully understood the explicit challenge, willingly accepts the challenge and notifies the challenger of their acquiescence. Phrasing such as “I accept your Dual of Fisticuffs” is sufficient. (c) Both parties begin at least three paces away, affirm to one another that they are ready, and a signal of “start” is given, either by the participants or by a designated third party. (d) The Duel stops when one participant exclaims “I Yield” or falls to the ground. The first person to yield or to fall to the ground is deemed the loser of the duel. Falling to the ground occurs when a participants head, forearm, chest, or back make contact with the ground during the Duel. (e) The only permitted instruments of violence are the fists and hands. (f) Gouging, clawing, poking, throat punching, ear pulling, and blows to the genitals are prohibited. (g) Making multiple challenges to duel the same individual after they refuse, during the same 24 hour period, is prohibited.  (h) Any violations of deviations from these rules shall deem the violator of being guilty under the relevant criminal and civil code. 

This Act establishes state-wide rules on the passing lane on highways in the state, also known as the far left lane on roads with at least two driving lanes going in the same direction. Simply put, the passing lane will be used to pass other vehicles. Drivers will not be permitted to drive in the passing lane when there is space and distance to drive in the non-passing lane, or when another vehicle approaches from behind, driving at a greater speed, wishing to go faster than the driver in the passing lane. Violating this section is a primary traffic offense and violators will be found guilty of a misdemeanor, the level of which depends on how many times the driver has violated this section within a year.

4511.271 Passing Lane Requirements

(A) Definitions. (1) “Passing Lane” means the left-most driving lane on any federal, state, or local highway, provided there are at least two driving lanes proceeding in the same direction.

(B) The following rules govern the conduct while driving in the passing lane: (1) The passing lane is to be utilized in order to pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. (2) The operator of a vehicle is permitted to drive in the passing lane in order to pass another vehicle, or when there are other vehicles in the non-passing lane as to prevent the operator from moving back into the non-passing lane. At no time shall the operator drive in the passing lane when there is sufficient space and distance to drive in the non-passing lane. When appropriately driving in the passing lane, the operator must move back over to the non-passing lane safely and efficiently when there is another vehicle behind the operator’s car moving at greater speed, or wishing to move at greater speed, than the operator’s vehicle. (3) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense under this section, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more offenses under this section, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. This section is a primary traffic offense, and can never be made a secondary traffic offense as under section 4511.043 of the Revised Code.

This Act protects workplace expression by categorizing terminations or other diminutions in employment as bad faith when they result from an employee’s expression of scientifically accurate information or the transmittal of information to the government or to the press regarding serious criminal conduct involving the employer. People terminated in bad faith under this section shall receive, at a minimum, five years of salary from their employer. Employers in violation shall be fined, at a minimum, 10% of their gross profits for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred.

4112.025 Unlawful Termination

(A) In addition to the other provisions of this chapter, it is bad faith to terminate, suspend, or otherwise cause a prohibition or material reduction of an individual’s employment if the nexus of the termination involves the following situations: (1) If an individual speaks, writes, or publishes scientifically accurate information; (2) If an individual shares information regarding serious criminal conduct of the employer, managers, fellow employees, or contractors with authorities, or with the press.

(B) Penalty. (1) Plaintiffs unlawfully terminated under this section shall receive, at a minimum, five years salary from their employer. (2) Employers in violation of this section shall be fined, at minimum, ten percent of their gross profits for the fiscal year in which the employee was wrongfully terminated.

This Act establishes guidelines to be an athlete in Ohio in order to promote kleos and safeguard health and civic honor. They must use the safest equipment technologically and logistically possible. Athletes who play for a team in Ohio, or who represent Ohio, are exempt from all state and local income taxes. Persons guilty of the crimes listed are prohibited from being athletes in Ohio.

4770 Athletes

(A) Definitions. (1) “Athlete” means any of the following: (a) An individual employed as an athletic competitor by a sports team, or who completes as an individual in a sporting event, and who garners an income based on their status as an athletic competitor; (b) Any individual who participates, or who is or may become eligible to participate in an athletic sporting event and who is a student in any educational institution, or in an institution where the primary means of business is sports, within the state, both public and private. (2) “Professional Athlete” means an individual employed by a sports team, or competes as an individual in a sporting event, and who garners an income based on their status as an athletic competitor.

(B) Purpose. To safeguard the health of all athletes in Ohio, to promote the kleos of Ohio and its magnificent cities, and to safeguard civic honor by preventing the ignoble from representing our great people.

(C) Safe Equipment. If equipment is mandated to be used as a uniform item in any sporting event to be used by athletes, such equipment shall be of safest equipment technologically and logistically possible.

(D) Taxes. All professional athletes who play for a team in Ohio, or who represents Ohio or its people, shall be exempt from all state and local income taxes.

(E) Prohibited Persons. Individuals convicted of the following crimes are prohibited from being athletes in Ohio: (a) domestic violence; (b) felonious sexual offenses under Section 2907; (c) terrorism; (d) child abuse; (e) perjury; (f) fraud; (g) the knowing or reckless transmission of a sexually transmitted disease; (h) animal cruelty.

This Act revolutionizes the way to provide healthy food through SNAP and any and all related programs, providing the most scientifically-based healthy items to promote fitness, longevity, and overall health, while preventing obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other health maladies. Classes of items are promoted and prohibited, as listed, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director, in consultation with the Ohio Director of Health, may add to the lists of promoted and prohibited items.

5101.545 Healthy Food Standards

(A) The director of job and family services shall produce and promulgate a list of food and beverage items that may be acquired through the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and any and all related programs. Food and beverage items not on the list may not be acquired.

(B) Standards for Healthy Food. (1) Each choice of food and beverage shall be made in accordance to the best empirical science of the time. The food and beverages shall be linked to promoting fitness, longevity, and overall health. The food and beverages shall be linked to preventing obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other health maladies. (2) Promoted foods shall include: (a) fruit and vegetables; (b) whole grains and; (c) other non-processed whole foods. (3) Prohibited food items shall include: (a) products with added sugar, or sugar-like substitutes (b) fried food (c) products with five or more listed ingredients (d) chips, cookies, and other processed snacks, and (e) dairy products. (4) Promoted beverages shall include: (a) unsweetened coffee (b) unsweetened tea (c) unsweetened plant-based milk. (5) Prohibited beverage items shall include: (a) soda pop; (b) bottled water; (c) artificially sweetened beverages; (d) juices. (6) The director of job and family service may add to the above lists with additional food and beverage items, in consultation with the Ohio Director of Health, and in light of the best empirical, objective, scientific data of the day.

This Act mandates certain privileges and prohibits certain punishments for all prisoners incarcerated within Ohio. Privileges include free access to certain reading materials, healthy food, clean drinking water, omnipresent recorded camera surveillance, free access to medical and psychological care, and access to daily mindfulness meditation. Prohibited punishments include capital punishment, solitary confinement for more than one 24-hour period in a seven-day period, and the withholding of necessary medical care.

5120.90 General Prisoner Privileges and Prohibited Punishments

All prisoners within the geographic boundaries of the State of Ohio shall be granted the following privileges and be protected from the following punishments:

(1) Prisoner Privileges. Every prisoner, whether they are in Federal, Ohio, local, or private custody, in jail or in prison, they are entitled to several privileges by virtue of their being incarcerated within the geographic bounds of Ohio. Incarceration serves as an appropriate punishment for certain crimes, but it also serves as an opportunity for the prisoner to grow into a productive, law-abiding citizen. The following privileges shall be granted to all those incarcerated: (a) Free access to reading material, to include classics of literature, technical manuals, legal references, and other materials that foster self-improvement, learning, and human flourishing; (b) Healthy food and clean drinking water; (c) Omnipresent recorded camera surveillance to ensure safety from physical and sexual violence, and to ensure the efficient prosecution of such violence; (d) Access to medical and psychological care, to include psychological medicine, at no cost to the prisoner; (e) Access to time, space, and instruction relating to mindfulness meditation for an hour a day.

(2) Prohibited Punishments. The following punishments are prohibited from being applied to anyone incarcerated within the State of Ohio: (a) Capital punishment; (b) Solitary confinement for more than one 24-hour period in a seven-day period; (c) Withholding necessary medical care, to include physical and psychological medical care.

This Act establishes rules governing advertising in the state, prohibiting advertising for tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, vaping products, marijuana products, and supernatural services purported to be real, as well as all advertisements to children younger than 18. This Act also prohibits billboards, private advertising on or in public buildings and transportation services, and unsolicited physical mail and telemarketing from organizations and individuals representing organizations.

Chapter 5169

(A) Definition. As used in sections 5169 of the Revised Code, an “advertisement” is the making of a representation in any form and through any medium in connection with a trade, business, craft or profession in order to promote the supply of goods or services, including immovable property, rights, and obligations.

(B) Prohibited. Advertisements that promote the following categories of goods or services are prohibited: (a) tobacco products; (b) pharmaceuticals; (c) vaping products; (d) marijuana products; and (e) supernatural services that purport to be real.

(C) Prohibited for Minors. Advertisements to children younger than 18 years of age are prohibited.

(D) Mediums of Advertisement. The following are prohibited mediums of advertising: (a) billboards; (b) private advertising on or in public buildings and transportation services; (c) unsolicited physical mail from organizations or individuals representing organizations; and (d) telemarketing from organizations or individuals representing organizations.

This Act establishes General Road Provisions for all roads and highways within the state and ensures that roads be built and maintained according to the best science and technological advancements. By 2050, all roads and highways will be heated using clean energy. By 2025, all speed bumps shall be removed.

5504 General Road Provisions

§ 01 Purpose. To guarantee that Ohio has the safest and most effective roads and highways in the world.

§ 02 Applicability. This Chapter and Section applies to all roads and highways, including all federal, state, county, and municipal roads and highways, within the geographic boundaries of the State.

§ 03 Scientific Improvements. The construction, maintenance, repair, and replacement of all roads and highways shall be conducted with the best science and technological progress in order to produce roads and highways with longevity, safety, cost-effectiveness, effectiveness, durability, environmental safety, and all other such relevant factors that would produce the highest quality roads at reasonable prices.

§ 04 Heated Roads. By 2050, all roads and highways within the state of Ohio shall be heated in order to prevent the use of road salt, winter-related accidents, the creation of potholes, the environmental runoff of de-icing agents, and other such considerations. The energy required to heat the roads should be generated using clean energy.

§ 05 Speed Bumps Prohibited. By 2025, all speed bumps shall be removed.

This Act protects Ohio by prohibiting certain types of goods and services from being exchanged, including those that utilized child labor. Goods prohibited include antibacterial soap (except in medical or scientific applications), consumables with hazardous levels of mercury or other heavy metals or pollutants harmful to human beings, and goods made from threatened species of animals. Services prohibited include supernatural services, sexual orientation conversion therapy for minors, and Scared Straight programs for minors. Violators are guilty of a first degree misdemeanor and are fined $1,000 for each separate, individual good or service.

5170.01 General Provision. In order to protect the health, safety, welfare, and morals of the state of Ohio, its citizens, and posterity, the following goods, and services in this chapter are prohibited from being given or exchanged, in any way or manner for anything of value, in the state of Ohio.

5170.02 Goods. (a) Products, including consumables, made from critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, threatened, or near threatened animals, as classified by the IUCN; (b) Goods with chemicals that have been demonstrated to lower IQ; (c) Products containing parabens; (d) Micro plastics measuring 5 mm or less in size; (e) Antibacterial soap (except for medical or scientific applications); and (f) Consumables with hazardous levels of mercury, or other heavy metals and pollutants harmful to human beings, as determined by the Director of Health.

5170.03 Services. (a) Supernatural services purported to be real (services not supported by empirical evidence such as mediums, psychics, diviners, tarot card readers, mystics); (b) Sexual orientation conversion therapy for minors; and (c) Scared Straight programs for minors.

5170.04 Child Labor. No good or service that utilized child labor in the production process may be given or exchanged, in any way or manner, for anything of value, in the state of Ohio. Goods and services produced and provided by minors in Ohio are permitted so long as the work conforms to Chapter 41 of the Ohio Revised Code.

5170.99 Penalty. Any individual or entity that violates this section shall be found guilty of a first degree misdemeanor and shall be fined $1,000 for each separate, individual good or service.

This Act establishes an annual taxpayer receipt, created and disseminated by the Ohio Department of Taxation (DOT) providing information to Ohio taxpayers free of charge on where their tax dollars go, at both the federal and state level. The receipt will be created in an ethical, objective, and non-partisan manner, and will also be available freely online. The Ohio DOT will also disseminate information on money received by Ohio from the federal government, federal restrictions or requirements attached to use of federal funds, and federal mandates requiring Ohio to spend Ohio taxpayer money in specific ways.

5703.96 The Annual Ohio Taxpayer Receipt

A. The Ohio Department of Taxation shall send an Annual Ohio Taxpayer Receipt to each Ohio taxpayer. The Ohio Department of Taxation shall send the taxpayer receipt after the Ohio taxpayer has completed their annual tax filing. The Annual Ohio Taxpayer Receipt will have two parts: one describing Ohio’s use of the taxpayer’s dollars, and another describing the federal government’s use of the taxpayer’s dollars. The pages must be printed on standard letter sized paper and must total no more than ten pages. The receipt must be produced at the cost of the Ohio Department of Taxation. No fee shall be directly imposed on any Ohio taxpayer for the production or dissemination of this receipt. The creation, curation, and production of the receipt must be made according to the highest ethical standards in an unbiased and nonpartisan way, with accuracy, integrity, objectivity, accountability, clarity, simplicity, and transparency serving as the foundational ethical pillars. The receipt must also be freely available online, providing full details on the creation, curation, and production of the receipt, as well as other information useful to a greater understanding of the receipt. 

B. (1) The Ohio tax receipt shall include the categories of Ohio expenditures in an illustrative graphic (i.e. pie chart, faux retail receipt), ordered by the proportional size in total expenditures. The receipt shall include the specific taxpayer’s proportional payment generated from their annual tax filing. The categories of expenditures shall include, but are not limited to: (a) tax breaks [expenditures] (including, but not limited to, business and economic development, individuals, and nonprofits and the public sector), (b) transportation appropriations (including, but not limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety, the Public Works Commission, and the Development Services Agency), (c) workers compensation and industrial commission appropriations, (d) capital appropriations and reappropriations, (e) education (including, but not limited to, early education, K-12, higher education, childcare, facility construction, schools for the blind and deaf, and public broadcasting), (f) Medicaid, (g) health and human services, (h) local government, (i) public transit, (j) corrections, (k) cross-agency initiatives, and (l) all other categories that amount to at least 0.5% of Ohio expenditures. (2) This receipt shall also include: (a) Ohio’s total revenue (and its sources), (b) debt (and the amount of debt averaged for an individual Ohio taxpayer), (c) tax rates (including, but not limited to, income, sales, use, capital gains, inheritance, estate, excise, real property, corporate profit, commercial activity, lottery profits, public utility taxes, school district, and non-tax income), (d) funds (including, but not limited to, the Budget Stabilization Fund), (e) funds received by the federal government, and (g) state funds required to be spent by Federal fiat.

C. (1) The Federal tax receipt shall include the categories of federal expenditures in an illustrative graphic (i.e. pie chart, faux retail receipt), ordered by the proportional size in total expenditures. The categories of expenditures shall include, but are not limited to: (a) tax breaks [expenditures] (including, but not limited to, employer-sponsored health insurance, employer defined contribution plans, active income of foreign corporations, charitable contributions, home mortgage interest, state and local taxes, the earned income tax credit, and the sum total of oil, gas, and coal expenditures), (b) Social Security, (c) Medicare, (d) Medicaid, (e) Healthcare Not Otherwise Listed, (f) Interest of the National Debt, (g) Federal Civilian and Military Retirement, (h) Income Security (including, but not limited to, SNAP, SSI, and unemployment), (i) Military Veterans, (j) War and Overseas Contingency Operations, (k) Defense and Intelligence spending not previous listed, (l) Education, (m) Energy and the Environment, (n) Food and Agriculture, (o) Transportation, (p) Housing and Community, (q) NASA, (r) Science other than NASA, (s) Foreign Aid, and (t) other such categories that account for more than 0.5% of the federal budget. (2) The receipt shall also include: (a) the federal government’s total revenue (and its sources); (b) National Debt (and the amount of debt averaged for an individual Ohio taxpayer), (c) Federal Deficit, and (d) tax rates (including, but not limited to, income, capital gains, estate, gift, payroll, corporate income, and excise taxes). The federal tax receipt shall be proportional to the income for the average Ohio taxpayer. In instances where such full and accurate federal information is not readily available for all relevant categories in the previous year, the Ohio Department of Taxation shall compile full and accurate federal information from the most recent year where such information is available, and shall clearly indicate such.

D. The Ohio Department of Taxation shall ensure that this information is made freely available online. It shall also make the following information available online in an easy-to-read, accessible manner: (a) The amount of money Ohio receives by the Federal government to utilize in the budget; (b) The requirements attached by Federal government mandates in order for Ohio to utilize Federal funds, and; (c) Federal mandates requiring Ohio to spend Ohio taxpayer money in specific ways.