Ohio2026Passed Legislature

HB117

The Pledge of Allegiance Act

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 4:32 AM

In one sentence

This law requires Ohio school districts to create a policy for the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance while ensuring no student is forced to participate.

Requires each city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school district board to adopt a policy setting a time and method for saying the Pledge of Allegiance every day.
States that schools cannot force any person to take part in reciting the pledge or infringe on their constitutional rights.
Prohibits changing the official words of the Pledge of Allegiance from those listed in federal law (4 U.S.C. 4).
Encourages teachers and schools to create lessons about the American flag and the pledge to help students learn citizenship skills.
Requires school districts to make their new policy publicly available, including posting it on their website if they have one.

Boards of education in city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school districts
Teachers and other employees working in these schools
Students attending grades kindergarten through twelve

The bill text does not specify a date when this law will officially start.
This version of the bill is labeled 'As Introduced,' meaning it has been proposed but may still change before becoming final law.

Plain language

Board of Education: The group that makes rules and policies for a school district.
Recitation: Saying words out loud, such as reading the Pledge together in class.

Official record

Source attached

Enact The Pledge of Allegiance Act

Official activity