Recently, the Ohio Legislature unleashed a breathtaking and disturbing flurry of bills that strike at the heart of everything we stand for as NCJW/CLE advocates. In a matter of days, lawmakers advanced legislation that threatens reproductive freedom, voting rights, public education, mental health access, and the separation of church and state in our schools.

This moment demands our outrage—and our action.

Below is a snapshot of just a few of the most egregious bills that passed in either the Ohio State House or Senate on November 19, 2025, and moved to the other chamber for consideration.

Attacks on our Reproductive Rights

  • HB 485 — “Baby Olivia Act”

Mandates that students beginning in 5th grade watch an inaccurate, anti-abortion fetal development video every single year.

  • HB 324 – Patient “Protection“ Act

Restricts access to essential medications including mifepristone (abortion pills) and even SSRIs (antidepressants). The legislature is using a completely debunked study on mifepristone to attack access to the medication.

Attacks on Vulnerable Children

  • HB 172 — “Child Abuser Protection Act”

This bill bans minors from receiving mental health care without parental consent—even when a parent is the abuser. Do we expect a 14 year old who is being raped by a parent to ask consent from that parent to see a clinician?

Christian Nationalism in Public Schools

  • SB 34 – Ten Commandments in Schools Act

Allows public schools to display the Ten Commandments and erect related monuments on school grounds. Schools may accept donations for these displays from religious organizations. This is an unconstitutional intrusion of religion into public schools.

  • HB 486 — “Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act”

Encourages teaching Christian-centric interpretations of history and culture in public schools. This opens the door to religious propaganda and whitewashes diverse perspectives that belong in our classrooms.

In addition, the following legislation was passed in both chambers of the State government and were sent to Governor Dewine.

Devastating Blow to Public Schools, Libraries & First Responders

HB 335, HB 129, HB 186 – Property Taxes

This trio of property-tax bills will strip desperately needed funding from public schools, libraries, and first responders—gutting the backbone of our communities. Governor Dewine has just signed them into law but it will take some time before taxpayers feel any relief.

Attacks on Voting Rights-SB 293

This bill undermines core voting rights and will make it harder for Ohioans to participate in our democracy. Governor DeWine didn’t sign this bill when he signed the others. He can still veto it!

These attacks on our rights are only the beginning. More than two dozen additional bills—each eroding our rights and values—are moving through committees right now.

If we do not speak up, legislators will continue pushing these bills through the other chamber until they become law.

 

What You Can Do RIGHT NOW

 1. Tell Governor Dewine not to sign SB 293 Voting Bill

https://act.commoncause.org/letters/urgent-tell-gov-dewine-to-protect-voting-and-veto-sb293/

 2. Contact your Ohio State Representative and Senator

Find your Ohio State Senator and Representative using the link below. It will take you to their contact page. Enter your information and copy in the paragraph below.

https://www.ohiosenate.gov/members/district-map

https://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/district-map

 

Subject: Please Oppose Further Harmful Legislation

Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],

As your constituent and a member of NCJW/CLE, I am writing to express my deep concern and anger about the flurry of harmful bills passed last week. Measures like HB 485 and HB 324, which attack reproductive rights; HB 172, which threatens the safety and well-being of vulnerable children; and SB 34 and HB 486, which impose unconstitutional religious doctrine into our public schools, are out of step with the needs and values of Ohioans.

None of these bills address the real challenges facing our state. They do nothing to lower health insurance costs, improve reading rates, or increase employment. Instead, they waste time and taxpayer dollars while undermining the rights, freedoms, and will of the majority of Ohioans.

I urge you to oppose any further legislation that harms children, undermines democracy, or injects religious ideology into our schools. We need our elected officials to focus on meaningful solutions—not politically motivated attacks on fundamental rights.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State ZIP]

 

3. Share This Alert

Forward this email. Post on social media. Talk to friends, family, and neighbors.

Invite 5 people to contact their state representatives. A personal ask is the best way to inspire action.

 

We Have Power. We Must Use It.

NCJW/CLE was built for moments like this. When our rights, our children, our democracy, and our communities are under attack, we show up.

Thank you for raising your voice, taking action, and standing with us in the fight for a just, equitable, and free Ohio.