Mandate: ORC §3313.60 (2001) requires schools to offer a curriculum that includes health education coursework, however, there are no specifics about grades, levels, or amounts of instructional time. ORC §3313.603 (2001) requires high school students to complete ½ unit of coursework in health in order to graduate.

Curriculum Content: None.

State Assessment Requirement: None.

Mandate: Pursuant to OAC 3301-35-04 (2001) and 3313.60 (2001), physical education is a required part of the curriculum for all levels, although duration and frequency are not specified. The State Board of education requires high school students to complete .5 unit of coursework in physical education in order to graduate. ORC 3301.20 (2008) requires the state to employ a full-time physical education coordinator to provide guidance and technical assistance to school districts regarding physical education and activity.

Exemptions: Pursuant to OAC 3313.603 (2007), the board of education of each school district and the governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school may adopt a policy to excuse from the high school physical education requirement each student who, during high school, has participated in interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading for at least two full seasons. If the board or authority adopts such a policy, it may not require the student to complete any physical education course as a condition to graduate. However, the student must be required to complete one-half unit, consisting of at least sixty hours of instruction, in another course of study.

Curriculum Content: None.

Physical Fitness Assessment: None.

Not specifically required.

Not specifically required.

Character Education: Not specifically required.

Mandate: As part of the health education requirements under ORC 3313.60 (2001), students must receive instruction in venereal diseases." Grades or levels are not specified.

Curriculum Content: ORC 3313.6011 (2001) outlines guidelines for venereal disease education, stating that the curriculum must 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," and must advise students of the laws pertaining to financial responsibility of parents to children born in and out of wedlock," among other stipulations.

Parental Approval: ORC 3313.60 (2001) states that, upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in venereal disease education" (an opt-out" policy).

ORC §3313.60 (2001) requires schools to offer a curriculum that includes health education coursework and instruction in nutritive value of foods, the relation of nutrition to health, and the use and effects of food additives. However, there are no specifics about grades, levels, or amounts of instructional time.

Alcohol: As part of the health education requirements under ORC 3313.60 (2001) students must receive instruction in the harmful effects of and legal restrictions against the use of alcoholic beverages." The State Board of Education's School Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Policy (2006) mandates the Department of Education to build capacity for school districts to create safe and caring learning environments that prevent students from engaging in alcohol and other drug use, as well as violence, and other self-destructive behaviors that may lead to suicide. The policy also strongly" encourages districts to adopt policies to prevent violence, alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drug use.

Tobacco: The State Board of Education's  School Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Policy (2006) mandates the Department of Education to build capacity for school districts to create safe and caring learning environments that prevent students from engaging in alcohol and other drug use, as well as violence, and other self-destructive behaviors that may lead to suicide. The policy also strongly" encourages districts to adopt policies to prevent violence, alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drug use.

Drugs: As part of the health education requirements under ORC 3313.60 (2001), students must receive instruction in the harmful effects of and legal restrictions against the use of drugs of abuse." The State Board of Education's  School Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Policy (2006) mandates the Department of Education to build capacity for school districts to create safe and caring learning environments that prevent students from engaging in alcohol and other drug use, as well as violence, and other self-destructive behaviors that may lead to suicide. The policy also strongly" encourages districts to adopt policies to prevent violence, alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drug use.

Bullying/Harassment: ORC 3313.667 (2006) requires local districts, to the extent that state or federal funds are appropriated for these purposes, to develop a process for educating students about anti-bullying, harassment and intimidation policies required by 3313.666 (2006).

Dating Violence: HB19 (2009) requires age-appropriate instruction in dating violence prevention education in grades 7-12, including in recognizing dating violence warning signs and characteristics of healthy relationships.

Fighting/Gangs: As part of the health education requirements under ORC 3313.60 (2001), students in grades K-6 must receive instruction in personal safety and assault prevention."

Suicide and Other Self-Abuse Prevention: The State Board of Education's  School Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Policy (2006) mandates the Department of Education to build capacity for school districts to create safe and caring learning environments that prevent students from engaging in alcohol and other drug use, as well as violence, and other self-destructive behaviors that may lead to suicide. The policy also strongly" encourages districts to adopt policies to prevent violence, alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drug use.

 

Professional Development: ORC 3319.073 (2006) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse, violence and substance prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center workers.

Pre-service Requirement: Health educators in Ohio are required to hold the Multi-Age License in health valid for teaching health in all grades Pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade. Health educators must have a bachelor's degree with a major in health education, and must pass the Praxis II Health Education Test per OAC 3301-24-05 (2003).

Professional Development: OAC 3301-24-08 (2003) requires 18 units of continuing education in the area of licensure for renewal, as approved by the local professional development committee. ORC 3319.073 (1995) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center work.

Pre-service Requirement: Physical educators in Ohio are required to hold the Multi-Age License in physical education valid for teaching physical education in all grades Pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade. ORC 3319.076 (2010) requires all physical education teachers hired by districts after July 1, 2013 to provide instruction in grades K-12 to have a valid license for teaching physical education pursuant to ORC 3319.076 (2010).

Professional Development: OAC 3301-24-08 (2003) requires 18 units of continuing education in the area of licensure for renewal, as approved by the local professional development committee.  ORC 3319.073 (1995) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center work.

Pre-service Requirement: OAC 3301-24-05 (2003) requires school nurses to hold a professional pupil services license which allows them to work with children of any grade level. The code also requires school nurses to hold a professional pupil services license, possess a bachelor's degree, and a current license as a registered nurse. ORC 4723.09 (2002) requires the completion of an approved registered nurse education program and the passing of a board approved examination for licensure as a registered nurse. 

Professional Development: ORC 3319.221 (2001) requires a school nurse to be a registered nurse in the state and fulfill all the renewal requirements for educators holding a pupil services license to maintain licensure. ORC 3319.073 (1995) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center work. 

Student-to-Nurse Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: OAC 3301-24-05 (2003) requires school counselors to hold a professional pupil services license, which allows them to work children of any grade level. Minimally, a candidate must be of good moral character and have a master's degree with either two years of successful teaching experience and a 600-hour internship in a school setting or a 600-hour internship in a school setting and a one-year supervised induction as a school counselor.

Professional Development: ORC 3319.073 (1995) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center work.

Student-to-Counselor Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: OAC 3301-24-05 (2003) requires school psychologists to hold a professional pupil services license, which allows them to work children of any grade level. Minimally, a candidate must be of good moral character, have a master's degree, and have successfully completed a nine month, full-time internship in an approved school setting per Ohio guidelines.

Professional Development: ORC 3319.073 (1995) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center work.

Student-to-Psychologist Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: OAC 3301-24-05 (2003) requires school social workers to hold a professional pupil services license, which allows them to work children of any grade level. Minimally, a candidate must be of good moral character, have a master's degree in social work, a current social worker's license from the Ohio counselor and social worker board, and either have one year of successful experience in a chartered school or school district under a professional license, one year of successful experience as a licensed Ohio social worker, or have completed a 10 week graduate social work practicum in a chartered school or school district.

Professional Development: ORC 3319.073 (1995) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center work.

Student-to-Social Worker Ratio: No state policy.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Additional Accountability Requirements: None

Additional Content Requirements: None

Guidance Materials: Healthier Schools: A Brighter Tomorrow which not only acts as a guide for the development of wellness policies but also points to examples of best practices in other states. It even provides a logic model for this document and the impact of wellness policies.

Other: House Bill 66 formed a state School Physical Fitness and Wellness Advisory Council in 2005. The council was comprised of members representing educational, business and governmental organizations that have demonstrated leadership in the area of health education and wellness. The charge of the council was to develop guidelines (Healthier Schools: A Brighter Tomorrow) for best practices regarding nutrition education, physical activity for students, school-based activities and school-business partnerships that promote student wellness. In addition, the council was asked to provide districts with strategies for evaluating their local implementation of wellness policies to determine whether goals and objectives are met.

Food Services: ORC 3313.814 (1979) requires each board of education, with consideration of each foods' nutritional value, to adopt and enforce standards for the types of food that may be sold on school premises and the specific times and place each type of food may be sold. The State Board of Education is to develop and adopt guidelines for use by local boards of education to enforce and implement this section.

ORC 3313.813 (2006) requires the state board of eduation to establish standards for a school lunch program, school breakfast program, child and adult care food program, special food service program for children, summer food service program for children, special milk program for children, food service equipment assistance program, and commodity distribution program established under the “National School Lunch Act.”

ORC 3313.816 (2010) prohibits public or chartered nonpublic schools from permitting the sale of a la carte beverage items other than the following during the regular and extended school day:

Schools with a majority of students in grades K-4 :

• Water
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 8 oz or less, with no more than 170 calories/8 oz (until Jan 1, 2014).
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 8 oz or less, with no more than 150 calories/8 oz (after Jan 1, 2014).
• 100% fruit juice, or 100% fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, 8 oz or less, with no more than 160 calories/8 oz

• Water
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 8 oz or less, with no more than 170 calories/8 oz (until Jan 1, 2014).
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 8 oz or less, with no more than 150 calories/8 oz (after Jan 1, 2014).
• 100% fruit juice, or 100% fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, 10 oz or less, with no more than 160 calories/8 oz

• Water
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 16 oz or less, with no  more than 170 calories/8 oz (until Jan 1, 2014).
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 16 oz or less, with no more than 150 calories/8 oz (after Jan 1, 2014).
• 100% fruit juice, or 100% fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, 12 oz or less, with no more than 160 calories/8 oz
• Any beverage of 12 oz or less that contains no more than 66 calories/8 oz.
• Any size beverage that contains no more than 10 calories/8 oz, including caffeinated beverages and beverages with added sweeteners, carbonation, or artificial flavoring.

Vending Machines/School Stores: ORC 3313.816 (2010) prohibits public or chartered nonpublic schools from permitting the sale of a la carte beverage items other than the following during the regular and extended school day:

Schools with a majority of students in grades K-4 :

• Water
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 8 oz or less, with no more than 170 calories/8 oz (until Jan 1, 2014).
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 8 oz or less, with no more than 150 calories/8 oz (after Jan 1, 2014).
• 100% fruit juice, or 100% fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, 8 oz or less, with no more than 160 calories/8 oz

Schools with a majority of students in grades 5-8:

• Water
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 8 oz or less, with no more than 170 calories/8 oz (until Jan 1, 2014).
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 8 oz or less, with no more than 150 calories/8 oz (after Jan 1, 2014).
• 100% fruit juice, or 100% fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, 10 oz or less, with no more than 160 calories/8 oz
  
  Schools with a majority of students in grades 9-12:

• Water
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 16 oz or less, with no more than 170 calories/8 oz (until Jan 1, 2014).
• Low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, 16 oz or less, with no more than 150 calories/8 oz (after Jan 1, 2014).
• 100% fruit juice, or 100% fruit juice and water blend with no added sweeteners, 12 oz or less, with no more than 160 calories/8 oz
• Any beverage of 12 oz or less that contains no more than 66 calories/8 oz.Any size beverage that contains no more than 10 calories/8 oz, including caffeinated beverages and beverages with added sweeteners, carbonation, or artificial flavoring.

At least 50% of the a la carte beverages from the following sources during the regular and extended school day must be water or other beverages containing no more than 10 calories/8 oz: (1) school food service program, (2) 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.

Other Food Sales: OAC 3301-91-09 (1979) states that each board of education shall adopt and enforce standards for which foods may be sold in schools. The standards shall include provisions of the types of foods sold in schools and whether they are nutritionally beneficial and enhance the school's nutrition philosophy and curriculum; the time of day and place foods may be sold; and approval through board resolutions for food sales.

School Gardening: No state policy.

General Physical Activity Requirement:  ORC 3313.6016 (2010) requires the board of education of each city or local school district to require all students in K-12 to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to rigorous physical activity each school day, exclusive of recess. Physical activity engaged in during the following may count toward the daily requirement: (1) A physical education course, and (2) A program or activity occurring before or after the regular school day, as defined in section 3313.814 of the Revised Code, that is sponsored or approved by the school of attendance, provided school officials are able to monitor students' participation to ensure compliance with the requirement. Students enrolled in the following programs are not subject to the requirement: (1) Post-secondary enrollment options program established under ORC 3365. (2) Career-technical education program operated by the board or governing authority. (3) Dropout prevention and recovery program operated by the board or governing authority. (4) Participation in interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading (the board or governing authority may excuse these students from the requirement during the period of participation). (5) Kindergarten students not enrolled in all-day kindergarten. Boards or governing authorities must adopt a policy to comply with this section by July 1, 2011, unless receiving a waiver.

ORC 3313.6016 (2010) allows a board or governing authority to apply for a waiver from the requirement from the superintendent of public instruction. The board must demonstrate that compliance with the requirement will create an undue financial hardship on the school district or chartered nonpublic school. 
 
Recess or Physical Activity Break: No state policy.

Recess Before Lunch:  No state policy.

Walking/Biking to School: No state policy.

Interscholastic Athletics: No state policy.

Concussion and Sports-Related Head Injury: No state policy. 

Automated External Defibrillator (AED): Code 3313.717 allows the board of education of each school district and the administrative authority of each chartered nonpublic school to require the placement of an AED in each school under the control of the board or authority. If a board or authority requires the placement of an automated external defibrillator as provided in this section, the it also shall require that a sufficient number of the staff persons assigned to each school under the control of the board or authority complete an appropriate training course in the use of the AED as described.

Fighting/Gangs: No state policy.

Weapons: ORC 2923.122 (2004) prohibits any person from conveying, attempting to convey, or knowingly possessing a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in a school safety zone. Violation of this statute is a fifth degree felony for a first offense and a felony of the fourth degree for subsequent offenses. Objects indistinguishable from a firearm and indicating that it is real is also prohibited. Violations are considered first degree misdemeanors for first time offenders and fifth degree felonies for subsequent offenses. Also, those offenders under the age of 19 will have their driver's licenses suspended.

Drugs and Alcohol: No state policy.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement: No state policy.

Bullying/Harassment:  ORC 3313.666 (2012) requires the board of education of local school districts to establish a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying.  "Harassment, intimidation or bullying" is defined as any intentional written, verbal, electronic or physical act toward another student more than once that causes mental or physical harm and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the harassed student.  The policy must include a statement prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying of any student on school property, on a school bus or at school-sponsored events; a definition of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, a procedure for reporting prohibiting incidents, including anonymous reporting; a provision for the possibility of suspension of a student found responsible for harassment, intimidation or bullying by an electronic act; a requirement that school personnel report prohibited incidents to school administrators; prohibition of students deliberately making false reports of harassment, intimidation or bullying and a disciplinary procedure for doing so; requirement for parental notification; documentation procedures; procedures for responding to and investigating incidents; strategies for protecting targeted students from additional incidents; disciplinary procedures; reporting requirements for district administration.

ORC 3313.667 (2006) encourages schools districts to form bullying prevention task forces, programs and other initiatives.  It also encourages districts to educate students and to provide training, workshops or courses on the distric't's harassment, intimidation, or bullying policy. Each board must incorporate training on the board's harassment, intimidation, or bullying policy into in-service training required by the division.

Cyberbullying: ORC 3313.666 (2012) includes electronic act in the definition and prohibition of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Electronic act is defined as "an act committed through the use of a cellular telephone, computer, pager, or personal communication device, or other electronic communication device. The statute specifically requires local school boards to adopt a bullying, harassment and intimidation policy that expressly provides for the possibility of suspension of a student found responsible for harassment, intimidation, or bullying by an electronic act.

Hazing: ORC 2903.31 (1983) forbids any person from recklessly participating in the hazing of another. School administrators, employees, and faculty members of any public or private school may not permit the hazing of another person. Violation of this Code is a fourth-degree misdemeanor. ORC 2307.44 (1983) allows victims of hazing to pursue civil actions for injury and damages against any participants, organization who authorized, allowed, commanded, requested, or tolerated the hazing, and any local or national director, trustee, or officer of said organization. Action may also be brought against any administrator, employee, of faculty member of the institution who knew or reasonably should have known of the hazing and did not make reasonable attempts to prevent it; If found liable, the educational institution may also be held liable.

Response and Management Plans: ORC 3313.536 (2002) requires the local board of education and school district to adopt a comprehensive school safety plan for each school building under the board's control.

Reporting Incidents of Violence: No state policy.

ORC §3313.751 (1995) states that no pupil shall smoke, use or possess any substance containing tobacco in any area under the control of a school district or at any activity supervised by any school operated by a school district.

OAC 3701-36-19 (2001) allows each board of health to provide school health services that provides a safe and healthful environment.

Code 901:5-11-15 (2010) allows pesticides to be applied in the school environment only if it is applied for either four hours or the minimum time specified by the label on the pesticide prior to the beginning of the school day, at a time after the school day has concluded, or when school is not in session. Signs must be placed at the entrances to the area where the pesticide is applied. Requirements for the signs are outlined in the statute, in addition to an acceptable list of pesticides and notification requirements. Schools must also develop a policy whereby parents or guardians, adult students, faculty and staff who are enrolled or employed at the school may request and receive prior notification of scheduled service applications by pesticide businesses. Exception is given for emergency applications to control organisims that pose an immediate health threat. Schools must also designate a school employee to serve as a contact person for pesticide applications made at school.

Vision and Hearing: ORC 3313.673 (1990) requires students, prior to November 1^st of the school year in which they are enrolled in kindergarten or the first grade, to be screened for vision, hearing, and health or medical problems and for any developmental disorders. ORC 3313.69 (1953) requires a test to determine the existence of hearing and vision defects in school children. The methods of making such tests and the devices to be used shall be approved by the department of health.

Chronic Health Conditions: No state policy.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening: ORC 3313.674 (2010) requires the board of education of each city, exempted village or local school district and the governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school to require each student enrolled in kindergarten, third, fifth and ninth grade to undergo a screening for body mass index and weight status category prior to May 1 of the school year. The board or governing authority may provide the required screenings, contract with another entity, or request the parent or guardian obtain the screening from a provider and submit the results. If requesting screening from parents or guardians, the board or governing authority must provide a list of providers and screening services available to parents and guardians who cannot afford a provider. If the board or governing authority provides the screenings itself or contracts with another entity, it must protect student privacy by ensuring that each student is screened alone and not in the presence of other students or staff. The board or governing authority must provide the parent or guardian of each subject student with information about the screening program prior to the first day of February of each school year. Parents or guardians may request an exemption from the requirement. For students screened, the board or governing authority must notify parents of any health risks associated with the student’s results and provide information about appropriate addressing the risks. The Healthy Children Council must develop a list of documents, pamphlets or other resources that may be used for this purpose. The board or governing authority must maintain confidentiality of each student’s screening results, with individual results only to parents or guardians. Aggregate BMI and weight status data must be reported to the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH must then publish reported data on an annual basis, aggregated by county.
 

Staff Administration: ORC 3313.713 (2010) mandates the board of education if each city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school district to adopt a policy on the authority of its employees when acting in situations other than those governed by sections 2305.23, 2305.231, and 3313.712 of the Revised Code, to administer drugs prescribed to students enrolled in the schools of the district. The policy must contain the following: (1) Except as otherwise required federal law, no person employed by the board shall administer any drug prescribed by any student enrolled in the schools of the district, (2) Designated persons employed by the board are authorized to administer to a student a drug prescribed for the student. Effective July 1, 2011, only employees of the board who are licensed health professionals, or who have completed a drug administration training program conducted by a licensed health professional and considered appropriate by the board, may administer to a student a drug prescribed for the student. Except as otherwise provided by federal law, the board’s policy may provide that certain drugs or types of drugsmay shall not be administered or that no employee may use certain procedures, such as injection, to administer a drug to a student, (3) No drug prescribed for a student may be administered pursuant to federal law until requirements outlined in the statute are completed. The statute provides immunity from liability for authorized employees administering medication, except in cases of gross negligence or wanton or reckless misconduct.

Self-Administration of Asthma Medication: ORC 3313.716 (1999) allows a student to possess and use a metered dose inhaler to alleviate symptoms of asthma if a written statement of approval from a parent or guardian is provided. The statement should include the student's name, address, name and dose of medication, dates administration is to begin and end, adverse reactions, emergency telephone number, and any other special instructions. The code states that any employee of the school is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from a school employee's permitting a student to use an inhaler because the employee's good faith that the conditions of the policy have been satisfied.

Self-Administration of Anaphylaxis Medication: ORC 3313.713 (2007) allows students to possess and self-administer an epinephrine auto-injector to treat anaphylaxis at any school event, activity or program under the following conditions: (1) Written approval of the prescriber and parent and/or guardian, with copies submitted to the school nurse or principal (specific requirements of approval outlined in statute), and (2) The school principal or school nurse has received a backup dose of the anaphylaxis medication from the parent, guardian or student, if not a minor. Whenever a student uses an auto-injector at school or any activity, event or program sponsored by or in which the school is a participant, a school employee must request assistance from an emergency medical service provider. The statute provides immunity from liability to school districts and their employees for injury, death or loss to person or property allegedly arising from a student's use of an auto-injector.

Psychotropic Medications: No state policy.

Storage and Record-keeping: See Staff Administration. ORC 4729.01 (2004) requires prescription medications be stored in the original container and in a locked space. ORC 3313.713 (2010) states that the board, or a person designated by the board, must establish a location in each school building for the storage of drugs to be administered under this section and federal law. All such drugs shall be stored in that location in a locked storage place, except that drugs that require refrigeration may be kept in a refrigerator in a place not commonly used by students. If a drug is administered to a student, the board of education must acquire and retain copies of the written requests required by division (C)(1) and the statements required by divisions (C)(2) and (3) of the section and must ensure that by the next school day following the receipt of any such statement a copy is given to the person authorized to administer drugs to the student for whom the statement has been received.

Requirement to Provide Services: No state policy.

Identification of Students with Mental or Emotional Disorders: No state policy.

Substance Abuse: The State Board of Education's  School Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Policy (2006) (2006) mandates the Department of Education to build capacity for school districts to create safe and caring learning environments that prevent students from engaging in alcohol and other drug use. The policy also strongly" encourages districts to adopt policies to prevent violence, alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drug use.

Suicide Prevention: The State Board of Education's  School Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Policy (2006) mandates the Department of Education to build capacity for school districts to create safe and caring learning environments that prevent students from engaging in violence and other self-destructive behaviors that may lead to suicide. The policy also strongly" encourages districts to adopt policies to prevent violence, alcohol, tobacco, and other illegal drug use.

HIV, STD, and Pregnancy Testing and Counseling: No state policy.
 

Immunity of Liability: No state policy.

Detailed, current information about immunization requirements by state is maintained by the National Network for Immunization Information.  Select your state from the drop down box under Search for State Vaccine Requirements for School Entry."

Exemptions: ORC 3313.671 (2005) allows for exemption from immunization requirements under the following circumstances: (1) Submission of a written statement from a child's physician indicating that immunization against any disease is medically contraindicated, or (2) Presentation of a written statement from the pupil's parent or guardian in which the parent or guardian objects to the immunization for good cause, including religious convictions.

No state policy.

No state policy.

No state policy.

No state policy.

State-level: ORC 3301.92 (2010) establishes a Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Council. The requirements for the members of the council are outlined in the statute. The council is charged with (1) monitoring progress in improving student health and wellness, (2) Making periodic policy recommendations to the State Board of Education regarding ways to improve the nutritional standards for food and beverages outlined in ORC 3313.816 and ORC 3313.817, (3) Making recommendations to the Department of Education for the development of a clearinghouse of best practices in the areas of student nutrition, physical activity for students, and body mass index screenings (4) Assisting the Department of Health in developing a list of resources regarding health risks associated with weight status for distribution to parents and guardians in ORC 3313.674 , (5) Regularly reviewing developments in science and nutrition to ensure the Council remains informed for purposes of making recommendations.

ORC 3301.80 (2008) establishes a child wellness advisory council in the office of the governor.  The council shall make policy recommendations to the board of education and the department of health to promote, coordinate, and implement statewide efforts to improve children's nutrition, physical education, and physical activity through school-based activities and strategies to improve child wellness. The recommendations shall address the following: (1) Strategies for improving the nutritional value of food and beverages available for sale to students through school food service programs, vending machines on school property, school stores, student associations or other school-sponsored organizations, (2) Strateiges for promoting student wellness, including participation in physical education and activity, (3) Proecdures for monitoring implementation of the nutrition standards established in Ohio Code, (4) Methods to ensure that each school district, community school and chartered nonpublic school has and is implementing a local wellness policy, and (5) An assessment tool for evaluating the effects of district and school efforts to improve child wellness.

Local-level: ORC 3313.82 (2008) requires the board of education of each school district and chartered nonpublic school to establish a school nutrition and physical activity committee consisting of representatives of teh board or governing authority, parents, students, administrators, teachers (including pe and health teachers), school food service representatives, school nurses and the public. Specific responsibilities of the committee outlined in the statute.

State-level: No state policy.

Local-level: No state policy.

Student Health-Related Records: No state policy specific to student health records. Student health records are afforded the same protection as all other student records. ORC 3319.321(a) (1995) prohibits any person from releasing or permitting access to personally identifiable information concerning students attending a public school to any person or group for profit-making use or activity. OAC 3301-52-01 (2005) requires each public school is to assure that all parents' rights are given according to FERPA and ORC 5126.04.4 (2000) including the confidential nature of child records" right.

Student Health-Related Services: No state policy.

No state policy.