Ohio House Bill 125 Counts 4-H, FFA, and Approved Activities as Present for School Attendance

Original title: Regards excused school absences for 4-H and FFA programs

Last action · March 25, 2026: Referred to EducationSponsors: Thomas Hall and 46 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

Ohio school districts must consider students in kindergarten through grade twelve present during school hours when participating in district-approved activities such as 4-H, FFA, internships, and athletic tournaments. The measure protects student grades and district s from being adversely affected, while granting students the opportunity to make up missed schoolwork.

Why it matters

Public school students participating in recognized agricultural, leadership, or career-readiness programs avoid truancy penalties and grade deductions while attending sanctioned events.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

students in kindergarten through twelve

Students participating in approved 4-H, FFA, and workforce programs are counted as present, protected from grade and attendance penalties, and granted make-up work opportunities.

Directly affected

school districts

School districts must adjust attendance accounting rules, exempt approved activity hours from chronic absenteeism calculations, and allow make-up work.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does participating in a 4-H or FFA event count as an unexcused absence?

No. Under the bill, school districts must consider students present at school during school hours when participating in district-approved activities like programs.

Will missing class for an approved internship lower a student's grades?

No. The bill explicitly states that class grades and s shall not be adversely affected by participation in an approved activity, and students must be given the opportunity to make up missed work.

Are there any exceptions where an approved activity will still count as an absence?

Yes. A principal must count the student absent if the activity occurs during the scheduled administration of state assessments or during a period when the student is disciplined, suspended, or expelled.

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

6 actions

Mar 25, 2026SenateCommittee
Referred to Education
Mar 19, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced
Mar 18, 2026HouseFloor
Passed
Mar 11, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported - Amended (Education)
Feb 26, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Education
Feb 24, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced

Version history & redline

3 versions on file

Comparing As Reported by the House Education Committee → As Passed by the House

removed addedOfficial text

hb125_01_RH hb125_02_PH As Reported Passed by the House Education Committee 136th General Assembly Regular Session Am. H. B. No. 125 2025-2026 Representatives Hall, T., Creech Cosponsors: Representatives Mullins, Miller, K., Deeter, Williams, Johnson, King, Klopfenstein, Kishman, Workman, Fowler Arthur, Brennan, Miller, J., Newman Newman, Abrams, Barhorst, Brent, Claggett, Click, Craig, Dovilla, Ghanbari, Glassburn, Gross, Hall, D., Holmes, John, Lear, Lorenz, Mathews, A., Mathews, T., McClain, Miller, M., Mohamed, Peterson, Plummer, Richardson, Ritter, Robb Blasdel, Salvo, Schmidt, Sigrist, Swearingen, White, A., Willis, Young A BILL To enact section 3321.044 of the Revised Code regarding attendance at school during participation in district-approved activities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE […]

Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →