H.B. No. 549 Summary

• Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, public and chartered nonpublic schools must open for instruction with students in attendance after Labor Day, with exceptions for year-round schools and teacher preparation activities.

• School boards may adopt a resolution to open before Labor Day if determined to be in the school's best interest, but must hold a public hearing at least 30 days prior to adopting such resolution.

• Schools operating under collective bargaining agreements established before the effective date that specify pre-Labor Day opening dates are exempt until the agreement expires; all new agreements must comply with the Labor Day requirement.

• The requirement applies to city, exempted village, local, joint vocational school districts and chartered nonpublic schools, with summer school programs permitted regardless of opening date.

• Amends sections 3314.03, 3317.01, 3326.11, and 3328.24 of the Revised Code and enacts new section 3313.621 to implement and enforce the Labor Day opening requirement.