ICE in schools, bus safety among new laws impacting the upcoming school year

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CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana lawmakers have passed a slew of bills throughout their legislative sessions, including some that will have a direct impact on the upcoming 2026-27 school year.

Traffic laws involving student buses, changes in cellphone policies, Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies, and shifts in curriculum are among some of the laws that are now in effect.

Here is what you need to know ahead of the school year.

Ohio

House Bill 57: Overdose reversal drugs in public schools & religious absences

Although House Bill 57 went into effect in January, the 2026-27 school year will be the first full school year with this new law.

This bipartisan bill requires school districts that choose to buy overdose reversal drugs, like Naloxone, to create a policy on how to use and store them. Staff must be trained on how to administer the medication, and the district’s superintendent is required to immediately report to parents if it is used on a student.

“This law is about saving lives and protecting our children,” said bill co-sponsor Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus). “No parent should ever endure the loss of a child because help was too far away. By making overdose-reversal medication available in our schools, we are empowering educators to act with urgency, compassion, and care when every second counts.“

H.B. 57 received support from both sides of the aisle, until it reached the Senate when a last-minute amendment was added.

Now in effect, the bill allows students to leave school for a certain amount of time to take religious courses from a private institution.

Most Ohio Democrats voted against the newly amended bill after that, but with a Republican supermajority, their votes were outweighed.

“What began as a good bipartisan bill to ensure schools are prepared to respond to health emergencies was hijacked by an amendment that had not gone through the committee process or received full review,” said state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo). “This is not how we should legislate, especially when it comes to the education of our children. Rushing through policy changes without fully understanding their consequences undermines the trust Ohioans place in us to make thoughtful, informed decisions.”

Students in elementary and middle school cannot be excused from more than two periods per week. High school students cannot be excused from more than two units of high school credit per week unless given permission, the bill says.

House Bill 114: New age requirements for Kindergarten

Ohio has changed its minimum age requirements for children to start Kindergarten.

Starting this year, students must be at least 5 years old by the first day of school — which will vary depending on the district.

Additionally, schools have to admit any student who is 6 years old by the first day of school if they have not finished first grade.

Senate Bill 276: Teaching the “Success Sequence” in public and charter schools

Although Senate Bill 276 primarily deals with breaking barriers for school psychologists, it also requires public and charter schools to teach students how to be “successful.” This curriculum is referred to as the “Success Sequence.”

According to S.B. 276, this course would teach students that in order to be successful, they must at least graduate high school, get a good job, get married, and then have children.

The course could be taught as early as sixth grade and is required for students to take in order to graduate.

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Kentucky

House Bill 1: Dollar-for-dollar tax credit to scholarship-granting organizations

“School choice” has become more of an agenda item for Kentucky Republican lawmakers over the years, and the passage of House Bill 1 may be another way to achieve those efforts statewide.

The Republican-backed bill enters Kentucky into a dollar-for-dollar federal tax program that supports certain scholarship-granting organizations.

Kentuckians can earn up to $1,700 or $3,400 per family in non-refundable federal tax credits when they donate to those specific organizations that fund scholarships for public, private or homeschooled students in low to middle-income households.

This program does not involve state dollars.

Supporters of the bill believe it would help parents have more options when it comes to their children’s education.

Meanwhile, opponents say public dollars for education should only go toward public schools. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear believes this too, which is why he vetoed H.B. 1.

“Kentuckians have said loud and clear: Public dollars should only be used for public education. The Republican supermajority hasn’t listened. I have,” Gov. Beshear wrote online, in reference to the 2024 General Election where a majority of Kentuckians voted against an amendment to fund nonpublic schools.

Lawmakers later overrode Beshear’s veto, insisting that the bill does not take a “single dollar from state funding.”

“It’s a federal tax credit that will help get more resources to the people who need them most,” the Republican Party of Kentucky wrote in a statement.

House Bill 7: School bus safety

One of Kentucky’s newest laws is in effect just in time for the beginning of the school year.

House Bill 7, referred to as an act regarding school bus safety, makes it illegal for drivers to pass school or church buses in both directions when they have their stop arms extended.

Drivers could face up to $1,000 in fines if they do not abide by the new law.

One exception to the law: Drivers in oncoming traffic can continue driving past a bus if there is a divider or median between the lanes.

Additionally, school districts are allowed to install cameras on the bus stop arms, which will help catch drivers who pass by illegally.

Senate Bill 5: Buying locally grown food for schools

Districts participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child Nutrition Programs can purchase locally grown food as an alternative to wholesale food companies.

Senate Bill 101: Safety to students and staff

Students in grades 6-12 who intentionally physically harm, or attempt to harm, staff or other students on school property or at bus stops will be expelled for a minimum of one year.

The bill also mandates districts to report staff injuries to police and to penalize employees who fail to report those injuries or property damages.

Lastly, students 14 and older can be charged as adults for third-degree assault on a school employee. There are exceptions for students with disabilities.

“Every educator deserves to feel safe when they walk into a classroom,” said Senate Bill 101 sponsor Matt Nunn (R-Sadiesville). “By putting this law on the books, we’re sending a strong message that protecting those who serve our students every day is a top priority.”

Sen. Nunn says the bill was put together following conversations with educators, administrators and law enforcement.

“We worked hard to make sure this policy is firm, but fair,” Nunn said. “This law protects staff while also ensuring students still have access to education and a path forward.”

Students who are expelled may have an opportunity to return to school after 26 weeks if they complete community service, continue doing well academically and receive unanimous approval from school leaders and the victim.

Senate Bill 197: In part, the college entrance exam

After already switching from the ACT to the SAT, Kentucky districts will be entering the school year not knowing which college entrance exam they will require students to take.

In accordance with Senate Bill 197, the Kentucky Department of Education is required to “initiate a new competitive procurement process and shall award a contract only to a vendor or vendors whose assessment product satisfies all applicable state and federal statutory requirements.”

In 2025, schools administered the SAT after nearly 20 years of requiring students to take the ACT.

The College Board, the company who owns the SAT, won the contract because it would save the state up to $350,000 per year.

Now, the education department is trying to speed up the procurement process and have a new contract complete by October.

Indiana

Senate Bill 78: Expanding the cellphone ban in schools

Indiana lawmakers expanded the state’s cellphone ban in schools with a new restriction.

According to Senate Bill 78, school districts will be required to create a policy banning phones, smart watches and any other wireless communication device during school hours. This includes lunch or during class switches.

By June 30, 2028, all school districts must create a policy for instructional technology. If students are to use technology for educational purposes, it will be done on a school-supplied device.

Exceptions to this law include medical conditions, language translation and those in Individualized Education Programs.

Senate Bill 88: ‘Good citizenship instruction’

Like Ohio’s “Success Sequence,” Senate Bill 88 requires public schools to have “good citizenship instruction.”

This lesson encourages students to graduate high school, secure a full-time job, and wait until marriage to have children.

Senate Bill 76: Immigration and Customs Enforcement in schools

Referred to as the Fairness Act, Senate Bill 76 requires public schools to cooperate with ICE and bans “sanctuary” policies in schools.

Supporters of the now-law, like state Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City), say this act will help keep communities safe.

“This legislation reflects our commitment to public safety and sends a clear message that Indiana will stand firm in upholding the rule of law. I’m grateful for the thoughtful work and collaboration that made this legislation possible,” Rep. Prescott said.

But opponents, like Indiana Democrats, believe it will do more harm than good.

“Why would you invite that behavior into our schools? Into our universities? ICE has no business arresting children, and doing so on school grounds should be completely out of the question,” said state Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette). “Young children shouldn’t live in fear of being arrested by armed, masked agents.”

Any public institution who does not comply with ICE enforcement will be investigated by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office and could be fined $10,000 per violation.

Senate Bill 239: Math proficiency, charter schools and the Employment Honors Plus Seal

Senate Bill 239 implements various changes to the education system:

1. School districts will be required to notify parents if their student is at risk of failing to reach grade-level math proficiency.
2. The Department of Education will compile a list of business and industry partners that offer high school students incentives to earn the Employment Honors Plus Seal for their high school diplomas. This honor signifies a student is workforce-ready.
3. School corporations will be allowed to convert public schools into charter schools.

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