Ohio2026Passed Legislature

HB125

HB125: Excused Absences for Approved School Activities

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 4:32 AM

In one sentence

This law requires Ohio schools to count students as present when they attend district-approved activities like 4-H, FFA, or internships instead of regular class.

Requires school districts to mark K-12 students as present during scheduled school-sponsored or workforce preparation activities approved by the district.
Lists specific examples of approved activities including 4-H programs, FFA events, athletic tournaments, field trips, internships, and job shadowing opportunities.
Allows schools to ask for written proof from a teacher affiliated with the activity or a parent showing the hours spent in these activities.
Mandates that students get a chance to complete any schoolwork they miss while participating in an approved activity.
States that class grades and chronic absenteeism rates cannot be negatively affected by participation in these events.

Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade who join district-approved activities.
School districts responsible for tracking attendance and approving specific programs.
Educators affiliated with the approved activities or parents of participating students.

Students are considered absent if they participate in an activity during a scheduled state test.
Students cannot claim excused status for activities happening while they are suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined from school events.
The law does not specify the exact effective date when these rules begin.

Plain language

4-H: A youth development program listed as an approved activity in this law.
FFA: Future Farmers of America, a student organization included in the list of approved activities.
Chronic absenteeism calculation: The method schools use to count how often students miss school; this law says these absences should not raise that number.

Official record

Source attached

Regards excused school absences for 4-H and FFA programs

Official activity