Support Ohio Legislation That Protects Parental Rights and Ends Vaccine Discrimination in Schools!

Earlier this week, we alerted you about a dangerous bill—Ohio SB 174—that would undermine parental rights. Today, we are asking for your support of a positive parental rights bill that does the opposite.

Ohio lawmakers are considering important legislation that would strengthen parental rights, enforce existing vaccine exemption laws, and end discrimination against healthy children in schools and childcare settings.

HB 561 requires K–12 schools, preschools, and childcare programs to honor Ohio’s existing medical, religious, and conscientious vaccine exemptions, clearly notify parents of those rights, and face real consequences if they refuse to comply.

Despite long-standing exemption laws, many Ohio families continue to face pressure, misinformation, unlawful documentation demands, and exclusion of healthy children—especially during so-called “outbreaks.”

HB 561 provides accountability, transparency, and enforcement where none currently exists.

This bill would:

Require schools and childcare programs to honor all legally allowed vaccine exemptions
Prohibit schools from demanding additional paperwork or forcing parents to use a specific exemption form
Require schools to clearly inform parents of exemption rights in all vaccine-related communications
Establish a formal complaint and enforcement process for violations
Impose licensing or charter penalties for programs that refuse to comply
Protect healthy, uninfected children from being excluded during outbreaks
Remove the Hepatitis B vaccine requirement for daycares and preschools

HB 561 restores balance by ensuring that parents are informed, children are not punished for lawful medical choices, and schools are held accountable to the law.

It has been referred to the Ohio House Health Committee.

Please act TODAY.

TAKE ACTION

Contact your Ohio State Representative and urge them to SUPPORT HB 561.

Find your Ohio legislators here:
https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislators/district-maps

Phone calls are most effective, but emails help too.

SAMPLE SCRIPT

“Hello, my name is ___ and I’m a constituent. I’m calling to urge Representative ___ to SUPPORT HB 561.

This bill protects parental rights by requiring schools and childcare programs to honor Ohio’s existing vaccine exemptions and clearly inform parents of those rights.

HB 561 also prevents healthy children from being excluded from school during outbreaks and establishes accountability when schools refuse to follow the law.

Parents deserve transparency, respect, and the freedom to make medical decisions for their children without coercion or discrimination.

Please support HB 561.

Thank you.”

TALKING POINTS

HB 561 enforces the existing vaccine exemption law, ensuring schools and childcare programs follow the rules already on the books.

Parents cannot exercise rights they are never told about—this bill requires clear notification of exemption options in all vaccine-related communications.