Ohio 136th General Assembly Status: Passed Senate 1 D cosponsors

SB 144 — Regards educator license grade bands

Last action — Referred to committee

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced March 11, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Stalled 32% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    3 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

To amend sections 3319.079 and 3319.22 of the Revised Code regarding educator license grade bands.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

19 added · 15 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Bill SB 144 primarily update the bill's designation from "As Reported by the Senate Education Committee" to "As Passed by the Senate," reflecting its progression through the legislative process. This change is significant because it indicates that the bill has successfully cleared an important hurdle and is now one step closer to becoming law. Adding the names of cosponsors shows broad support among various senators, which may help strengthen the bill’s chances of approval in the next stages.

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As Reported by the Senate Education Committee 136th General Assembly Regular Session Sub.
As Passed by the Senate 136th General Assembly Regular Session Sub.
144 2025-2026 Senator Ingram To amend sections 3319.079 and 3319.22 of the 1 Revised Code regarding educator licensure.
144 2025-2026 Senator Ingram Cosponsors:
Senators Antonio, Blackshear, Brenner, Cirino, Craig, DeMora, Gavarone, Hicks-Hudson, Lang, Liston, Reineke, Weinstein, Wilson To amend sections 3319.079 and 3319.22 of the 1 Revised Code regarding educator licensure.
15 (B) The holder of a valid educator license with a grade 16 band specification prescribed under division (A)(1) of section 17 3319.22 of the Revised Code, as that division existed on and 18 after October 3, 2023, but prior to the effective date of this 19 amendment October 24, 2024, who renews that license may receive 20 Sub.
15 (B) The holder of a valid educator license with a grade 16 band specification prescribed under division (A)(1) of section 17 3319.22 of the Revised Code, as that division existed on and 18 Sub.
144 Page 2 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee either of the following:
144 Page 2 As Passed by the Senate after October 3, 2023, but prior to the effective date of this 19 amendment October 24, 2024, who renews that license may receive 20 either of the following:
45 (d) A lead professional educator license, which shall be 46 valid for five years and shall be renewable.
45 (d) A lead professional educator license, which shall be 46 Sub.
47 Subject to division (A)(4) of this section, licenses 48 Sub.
144 Page 3 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee issued under division (A)(1) of this section on and after the 49 effective date of this amendment shall specify whether the 50 educator is licensed to teach grades pre-kindergarten through 51 eight or grades seven through twelve.
144 Page 3 As Passed by the Senate valid for five years and shall be renewable.
47 Subject to division (A)(4) of this section, licenses 48 issued under division (A)(1) of this section on and after the 49 effective date of this amendment shall specify whether the 50 educator is licensed to teach grades pre-kindergarten through 51 eight or grades seven through twelve.
75 (3) Except as provided in division (I) of this section, 76 the state board shall adopt rules establishing the standards and 77 requirements for obtaining each educator license issued under 78 Sub.
75 (3) Except as provided in division (I) of this section, 76 Sub.
144 Page 4 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee this section.
144 Page 4 As Passed by the Senate the state board shall adopt rules establishing the standards and 77 requirements for obtaining each educator license issued under 78 this section.
Further, the changes to the grade band 99 specifications under this section do not apply to any license 100 issued to teach in the area of computer information science, 101 bilingual education, dance, drama or theater, world language, 102 health, library or media, music, physical education, teaching 103 English to speakers of other languages, career-technical 104 education, or visual arts or to any license issued to an 105 intervention specialist, including a gifted intervention 106 specialist, or to any other license that does not align to the 107 Sub.
Further, the changes to the grade band 99 specifications under this section do not apply to any license 100 issued to teach in the area of computer information science, 101 bilingual education, dance, drama or theater, world language, 102 health, library or media, music, physical education, teaching 103 English to speakers of other languages, career-technical 104 education, or visual arts or to any license issued to an 105 Sub.
144 Page 5 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee grade band specifications.
144 Page 5 As Passed by the Senate intervention specialist, including a gifted intervention 106 specialist, or to any other license that does not align to the 107 grade band specifications.
132 (a) Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an institution 133 of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting 134 organization;
132 (a) Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an institution 133 of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting 134 Sub.
135 (b) Have successfully completed the Ohio teacher residency 136 Sub.
144 Page 6 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee program established under section 3319.223 of the Revised Code, 137 if the applicant's current or most recently issued license is a 138 resident educator license issued under this section or an 139 alternative resident educator license issued under section 140 3319.26 of the Revised Code.
144 Page 6 As Passed by the Senate organization;
135 (b) Have successfully completed the Ohio teacher residency 136 program established under section 3319.223 of the Revised Code, 137 if the applicant's current or most recently issued license is a 138 resident educator license issued under this section or an 139 alternative resident educator license issued under section 140 3319.26 of the Revised Code.
162 (c) Meet the criteria for the distinguished level of 163 performance, as described in the standards for teachers adopted 164 Sub.
162 Sub.
144 Page 7 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee by the state board under section 3319.61 of the Revised Code;
144 Page 7 As Passed by the Senate (c) Meet the criteria for the distinguished level of 163 performance, as described in the standards for teachers adopted 164 by the state board under section 3319.61 of the Revised Code;
183 (1) Notwithstanding division (E) of section 119.03 and 184 division (A)(1) of section 119.04 of the Revised Code, in the 185 case of the adoption of any rule or the amendment or rescission 186 of any rule that necessitates institutions' offering preparation 187 programs for educators and other school personnel that are 188 approved by the chancellor of higher education under section 189 3333.048 of the Revised Code to revise the curriculum of those 190 programs, the effective date shall not be as prescribed in 191 division (E) of section 119.03 and division (A)(1) of section 192 119.04 of the Revised Code.
183 (1) Notwithstanding division (E) of section 119.03 and 184 division (A)(1) of section 119.04 of the Revised Code, in the 185 case of the adoption of any rule or the amendment or rescission 186 of any rule that necessitates institutions' offering preparation 187 programs for educators and other school personnel that are 188 approved by the chancellor of higher education under section 189 3333.048 of the Revised Code to revise the curriculum of those 190 programs, the effective date shall not be as prescribed in 191 Sub.
Instead, the effective date of such 193 Sub.
144 Page 8 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee rules, or the amendment or rescission of such rules, shall be 194 the date prescribed by section 3333.048 of the Revised Code.
144 Page 8 As Passed by the Senate division (E) of section 119.03 and division (A)(1) of section 192 119.04 of the Revised Code.
Instead, the effective date of such 193 rules, or the amendment or rescission of such rules, shall be 194 the date prescribed by section 3333.048 of the Revised Code.
220 Not later than the effective date of the rules adopted 221 under this section, the board of education of each school 222 district shall establish the structure for one or more local 223 Sub.
220 Not later than the effective date of the rules adopted 221 Sub.
144 Page 9 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee professional development committees to be operated by such 224 school district.
144 Page 9 As Passed by the Senate under this section, the board of education of each school 222 district shall establish the structure for one or more local 223 professional development committees to be operated by such 224 school district.
If a committee has a particular grade or age level 248 scope, the teacher members shall be licensed to teach such grade 249 or age levels, and shall be elected by majority vote of the 250 classroom teachers holding such a license and the principal 251 shall be elected by all principals serving in buildings where 252 any such teachers serve.
If a committee has a particular grade or age level 248 scope, the teacher members shall be licensed to teach such grade 249 or age levels, and shall be elected by majority vote of the 250 classroom teachers holding such a license and the principal 251 shall be elected by all principals serving in buildings where 252 Sub.
The district superintendent shall 253 appoint a replacement to fill any vacancy that occurs on a 254 Sub.
144 Page 10 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee professional development committee, except in the case of 255 vacancies among the elected classroom teacher members, which 256 shall be filled by vote of the remaining members of the 257 committee so selected.
144 Page 10 As Passed by the Senate any such teachers serve.
The district superintendent shall 253 appoint a replacement to fill any vacancy that occurs on a 254 professional development committee, except in the case of 255 vacancies among the elected classroom teacher members, which 256 shall be filled by vote of the remaining members of the 257 committee so selected.
of 281 the Revised Code, professional development committees shall be 282 established in accordance with any collective bargaining 283 agreement in effect in the district that includes provisions for 284 Sub.
of 281 the Revised Code, professional development committees shall be 282 Sub.
144 Page 11 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee such committees.
144 Page 11 As Passed by the Senate established in accordance with any collective bargaining 283 agreement in effect in the district that includes provisions for 284 such committees.
308 (4) Whenever an administrator's coursework plan is being 309 discussed or voted upon, the local professional development 310 committee shall, at the request of one of its administrative 311 members, cause a majority of the committee to consist of 312 administrative members by reducing the number of teacher members 313 voting on the plan.
308 (4) Whenever an administrator's coursework plan is being 309 discussed or voted upon, the local professional development 310 committee shall, at the request of one of its administrative 311 members, cause a majority of the committee to consist of 312 Sub.
314 Sub.
144 Page 12 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee (5) A professional development committee may grant an 315 individual seeking to renew a license under this section credit 316 towards continuing education requirements for completion of a 317 statutorily required professional development training.
144 Page 12 As Passed by the Senate administrative members by reducing the number of teacher members 313 voting on the plan.
314 (5) A professional development committee may grant an 315 individual seeking to renew a license under this section credit 316 towards continuing education requirements for completion of a 317 statutorily required professional development training.
337 Local professional development committees established by 338 county boards of developmental disabilities shall be structured 339 in a manner comparable to the structures prescribed for school 340 districts in divisions (F)(2) and (3) of this section, as shall 341 the committees established by any other entity specified in 342 division (G)(1) of this section that provides educational 343 services by employing or contracting for services of classroom 344 teachers licensed or certificated under this section or section 345 Sub.
337 Local professional development committees established by 338 county boards of developmental disabilities shall be structured 339 in a manner comparable to the structures prescribed for school 340 districts in divisions (F)(2) and (3) of this section, as shall 341 the committees established by any other entity specified in 342 Sub.
144 Page 13 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee 3319.222 of the Revised Code, or under the former version of 346 either section as it existed prior to October 16, 2009.
144 Page 13 As Passed by the Senate division (G)(1) of this section that provides educational 343 services by employing or contracting for services of classroom 344 teachers licensed or certificated under this section or section 345 3319.222 of the Revised Code, or under the former version of 346 either section as it existed prior to October 16, 2009.
368 Any committee that agrees to work with such an individual 369 shall work to determine whether the proposed coursework, 370 continuing education units, or other equivalent activities meet 371 the requirements of the rules adopted by the state board under 372 this section.
368 Any committee that agrees to work with such an individual 369 shall work to determine whether the proposed coursework, 370 continuing education units, or other equivalent activities meet 371 Sub.
373 (3) Any public agency that is not specified in division 374 Sub.
144 Page 14 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee (G)(1) or (2) of this section but provides educational services 375 and employs or contracts for services of classroom teachers 376 licensed or certificated under this section or section 3319.222 377 of the Revised Code, or under the former version of either 378 section as it existed prior to October 16, 2009, may establish a 379 local professional development committee, subject to the 380 approval of the state board.
144 Page 14 As Passed by the Senate the requirements of the rules adopted by the state board under 372 this section.
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373 (3) Any public agency that is not specified in division 374 (G)(1) or (2) of this section but provides educational services 375 and employs or contracts for services of classroom teachers 376 licensed or certificated under this section or section 3319.222 377 of the Revised Code, or under the former version of either 378 section as it existed prior to October 16, 2009, may establish a 379 local professional development committee, subject to the 380 approval of the state board.
397 (a) For at least four of the past five years, the teacher 398 or school counselor has received the highest level of 399 performance rating under section 3319.112 or 3319.113 of the 400 Revised Code, as applicable, or an equivalent performance rating 401 under section 3311.80 of the Revised Code;
397 (a) For at least four of the past five years, the teacher 398 or school counselor has received the highest level of 399 performance rating under section 3319.112 or 3319.113 of the 400 Sub.
402 (b) The teacher or school counselor meets at least one, or 403 Sub.
144 Page 15 As Reported by the Senate Education Committee any combination, of the following for at least three of the five 404 years of the current licensure cycle:
144 Page 15 As Passed by the Senate Revised Code, as applicable, or an equivalent performance rating 401 under section 3311.80 of the Revised Code;
402 (b) The teacher or school counselor meets at least one, or 403 any combination, of the following for at least three of the five 404 years of the current licensure cycle:
423 (2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a 424 government certification, or a private certification as 425 described in that chapter as a resident educator, professional 426 educator, senior professional educator, lead professional 427 educator, or any other type of educator in a state that does not 428 issue one or more of those licenses.
423 (2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a 424 government certification, or a private certification as 425 described in that chapter as a resident educator, professional 426 educator, senior professional educator, lead professional 427 educator, or any other type of educator in a state that does not 428 Sub.
S.
B.
No.
144 Page 16 As Passed by the Senate issue one or more of those licenses.
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends educator licensure provisions to clarify the grade band specifications for educator licenses and the conditions for renewals.

  • Section 3319.079

    as that division existed prior to October 3, 2023 → as that division section exists on the date of its renewal

    Allows license holders to choose grade band specifications based on current standards when renewing their license.

  • Section 3319.079

    as that division existed on and after October 3, 2023, but prior to the effective date of this amendment → October 24, 2024

    Clarifies the effective date for current specifications in the renewal process.

  • Section 3319.22

    Subject to division (A)(4) of this section, licenses issued under division (A)(1) of this section on and after the effective date of this amendment shall specify whether the educator is licensed to teach grades pre-kindergarten through eight or grades seven through twelve. → Subject to division (A)(4) of this section, licenses issued under division (A)(1) of this section on and after the effective date of this amendment shall specify whether the educator is licensed to teach one of the following: (a) Grades pre-kindergarten through five. (b) Grades four through eight. (c) Grades seven through twelve.

    Specifies the grade band categories for which licenses can be issued post-amendment.

  • Section 3319.22

    The changes to the grade band specifications under this section shall not apply to a person who holds a license under division (A)(1) of this section prior to the effective date of this amendment. → The changes to the grade band specifications under this section do not apply to a person who holds a license under division (A)(1) of this section prior to the effective date of this amendment.

    Reiterates that existing licenses before the amendment's effective date are exempt from new specifications.

  • Section 3319.22

    Notwithstanding the requirement that each license issued under division (A)(1) of this section specify the grade band in which the educator is licensed to teach, a school district or community school may employ an educator who has at least one year of experience as a licensed classroom teacher to teach outside of the designated grade band by not more than two grade levels and for not more than two school years at a time. → Notwithstanding the requirement that each license issued under division (A)(1) of this section specify the grade band in which the educator is licensed to teach, a school district or community school may employ an educator who has at least one year of experience as a licensed classroom teacher to teach outside of the designated grade band by not more than two grade levels and for not more than two school years at a time. The school district superintendent or governing authority of the community school may renew that teacher's eligibility to teach in accordance with this division on a biennial basis.

    Expands the conditions under which teachers can be employed outside their designated grade bands.

Action History

  1. As Passed by the Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 133 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (133)

133 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 133 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed

Passed 32 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 23000
Democratic 9000
Total 32000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (32)
Member Party Vote
Beth Liston Democratic Yea
Casey Weinstein Democratic Yea
Catherine D. Ingram Democratic Yea
Hearcel F. Craig Democratic Yea
Kent Smith Democratic Yea
Nickie J. Antonio Democratic Yea
Paula Hicks-Hudson Democratic Yea
William P. DeMora Democratic Yea
Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. Democratic Yea
Al Cutrona Republican Yea
Al Landis Republican Yea
Andrew O. Brenner Republican Yea
Bill Reineke Republican Yea
Brian M. Chavez Republican Yea
George F. Lang Republican Yea
Jane M. Timken Republican Yea
Jerry C. Cirino Republican Yea
Kristina D. Roegner Republican Yea
Kyle Koehler Republican Yea
Louis W. Blessing, III Republican Yea
Mark Romanchuk Republican Yea
Michele Reynolds Republican Yea
Nathan H. Manning Republican Yea
Rob McColley Republican Yea
Sandra O'Brien Republican Yea
Shane Wilkin Republican Yea
Steve Wilson Republican Yea
Susan Manchester Republican Yea
Terry Johnson Republican Yea
Theresa Gavarone Republican Yea
Thomas F. Patton Republican Yea
Tim Schaffer Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 144 do?
To amend sections 3319.079 and 3319.22 of the Revised Code regarding educator license grade bands.
Who sponsors SB 144?
SB 144 is sponsored by Catherine D. Ingram (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 144?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced March 11, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 144?
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