Bill > HB698

This bill, known as the S.B. 1 Compliance Supplemental Appropriation Act, makes several changes to how state institutions of higher education operate and are funded, particularly concerning compliance with previous legislation. It requires the governor to recommend setting aside a portion of state funding for higher education, known as "state share of instruction funds," for specific purposes related to compliance. State institutions must annually certify their adherence to various laws, including those concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) functions, and failure to do so can result in the withholding of these state funds, which will not be released even if compliance is later achieved. The bill also mandates that institutions develop and adopt instructional workload policies for faculty, with a focus on undergraduate instruction, and review and update their faculty tenure policies to promote excellence. Furthermore, it establishes detailed requirements for retrenchment policies, which are procedures for reducing programs or staff due to financial or enrollment issues, and mandates that institutions eliminate undergraduate degree programs that confer an average of fewer than five degrees annually over a three-year period, though waivers may be granted. The bill also requires institutions to inventory and report on employees who performed DEI functions and were reassigned, detailing their new duties and providing justification to ensure these are substantially different from their previous roles.

Education

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb698