Bill Blessing

A children endangerment case in Vinton County, where 16 children were found in poor conditions, has increased support for Ohio Senate Bill 341, which would set the minimum marriage age at 18. Current Ohio law allows 17-year-olds to marry with court approval, but the Siders family case highlights risks associated with underage marriage.

A bipartisan bill to ban child marriage in Ohio passed the Senate Judiciary Committee but was not voted on by the full Senate before lawmakers adjourned for summer. The bill would raise the marriage age to 18 and had no public opposition but stalled despite support from sponsors and advocacy groups.

Ohio lawmakers introduced legislation to increase transparency in the EdChoice voucher program, which provides taxpayer funds to private schools. The proposed bill would mandate audits, academic reporting, and background checks, but Republican leadership is unlikely to enforce stricter oversight. Public schools face underfunding while EdChoice received $2.5 billion in the last budget.

An Ohio bipartisan bill, Senate Bill 443, would require private schools using Education Choice and Education Choice Expansion vouchers to undergo annual audits, submit weekly attendance records, conduct employee background checks, and publish graduation and dropout rates. The bill aims to increase transparency as Ohio spends over $1 billion annually on vouchers, with nearly half from the expansion program allowing eligibility up to 450% of the poverty line. Lawmakers argue the current system underfunds public schools and lacks accountability.