Substitute Senate Bill 135 Summary

• Prohibits state agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel or other jurisdictions with whom Ohio enjoys open trade, and includes higher education institutions under this requirement

• Establishes free speech protections at public universities, prohibiting institutions from restricting noncommercial expressive activity on campus unless conduct is unlawful or materially disrupts the institution; bars charging security fees based on speaker content

• Creates the Second Chance Grant Program providing up to $2,000 one-time grants to students who disenrolled from qualifying institutions in good standing and re-enroll within five years

• Requires high school career advising policies addressing grade-level career connections, multiple academic pathways, documentation of advising, and information about cost-saving education programs and transfer pathways

• Establishes the Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathways Initiative requiring state universities to participate in joint academic programming and dual enrollment agreements with community colleges for credit transfer and degree completion

• Mandates statewide apprenticeship program development for high school students with pathways to employment or postsecondary education, with proposal due June 1, 2023

• Modifies energy project tax exemption provisions, extending renewable energy project application deadlines to December 31, 2024, and requiring education partnerships with universities or apprenticeship programs for projects over 20 megawatts