Regards designation of high-quality youth development programs

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
S. B. No. 400

2025-2026

Senator Manchester

Cosponsors: Senators Koehler,
Reineke, Lang

To
enact section 3301.96 of the Revised Code
to
provide for the designation of high-quality youth development
programs by the Director of Education and Workforce.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 3301.96 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
3301.96.
(A)
A program, or group of affiliated programs represented by a statewide
organization, seeking designation as a high-quality youth development
program shall apply to the director of education and workforce in a
manner prescribed by the director.

(B)
To be eligible for designation as a high-quality youth development
program under this section, the program or group of affiliated
programs shall demonstrate all of the following to the director:

(1)
That the program or group is, or supports, either of the following
entities:

(a)
A youth development program as described in division (B)(8) of
section 5104.02 of the Revised Code;

(b)
An approved child day camp or licensed child care program, each as
defined in section 5104.01 of the Revised Code.

(2)
That the program or group provides adequate safety standards to
ensure the care and protection of supported youth, including by
complying with federal, state, and local safety laws, performing and
documenting safety assessments, and establishing screening protocols
for its staff and volunteers;

(3)
That the program or group exhibits financial soundness and
accountability by doing all of the following:

(a)
Maintaining during the previous fiscal year audited financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;

(b)
Submitting with the application a copy of the results of a financial
audit or review conducted within the previous year by a certified
public accountant without personal or financial connections to the
program or group;

(c)
Maintaining adequate internal controls over all public funds,
including by establishing written policies for procurement, conflict
of interest, and segregation of financial duties.

(4)
That the program or group is able to document its outcomes for youth
in this state;

(5)
That the program or group provides consistent, developmentally
appropriate, and structured programming that is administered by
qualified staff and aimed at youth outcomes in the areas of academic
success, healthy lifestyles, and future readiness;

(6)
That the program or group demonstrates a history of having operated
year-round programming for youth in grades kindergarten to twelve
across multiple counties in this state;

(7)
That the program or group operates in one or more facilities that are
both adequate and sufficient to safely and routinely provide intended
programming for youth during consistent hours of operation;

(8)
That the program or group demonstrates proficiency in establishing
local partnerships and community and family engagement.

(C)
The director shall review all applications submitted under division
(A) of this section. After receiving an application the director
considers complete, the director shall determine if the applicant
meets the requirements of division (B) of this section. If the
director determines that the requirements have been met, the director
shall designate the program or group as a high-quality youth
development program. A designation made under this division applies
to each facility in which the program or group operates and provides
programming for youth.