Ohio2026Passed Legislature

HB119

The Graduation Readiness and Development (GRAD) Act

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 4:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill designates September as 'Workforce Development Month' and requires public high schools to host exit orientation programs for eleventh and twelfth-grade students covering jobs, college, military service, and voting.

Designates the month of September as 'Workforce Development Month.'
Requires the Department of Education and Workforce to create rules and guidelines for an exit orientation program by June 1, 2026.
Mandates that school districts host an annual exit orientation program in September for all eleventh and twelfth-grade students.
Requires instruction on federal student loans, grants, internships, apprenticeships, voter registration, military enlistment, local employment opportunities, healthcare clinics, and STD testing facilities.
Allows representatives from labor organizations, the military, training providers, chambers of commerce, and private businesses to present information at these programs.
Requires OhioMeansJobs center operators to align school programs with local job market needs and assist in coordinating participation.

Eleventh and twelfth-grade students in public high schools
Local boards of education for city, exempted village, and local school districts
OhioMeansJobs center operators and local workforce development boards
Representatives from labor organizations, military branches, businesses, chambers of commerce, and training providers

The specific rules and guidelines for the exit orientation program must be adopted by June 1, 2026.
School districts operating multiple high schools are encouraged to schedule programs on different days, but this is not a strict requirement.

Plain language

Exit orientation program: A required annual event for high school juniors and seniors providing information on workforce entry, higher education, or military service.
Workforce Development Month: The official designation given to the month of September by this law.
OhioMeansJobs center operator: A local entity responsible for ensuring school programs align with local labor market needs and coordinating business participation.

Official record

Source attached

Enact the Graduation Readiness and Development (GRAD) Act

Official activity