Sub. S. B. No. 49 - Religious Expression Days Act Summary

• Enacts the Religious Expression Days ("R.E.D.") Act requiring each Ohio school district board of education to adopt a policy accommodating students' sincerely held religious beliefs regarding examinations, academic requirements, and absences

• Permits students in kindergarten through grade twelve to be absent for up to three religious expression days per school year without academic penalties for faith-based holidays or participation in organized religious activities

• Requires parents or guardians to provide written notice of requested absences by fourteen school days after the first day of school, with school principals approving requests without inquiry into sincerity of religious beliefs

• Mandates school districts post the religious accommodation policy on their website along with a nonexhaustive list of major religious holidays (including Eid, Good Friday, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover) for which absences shall not be unreasonably withheld

• Applies the religious accommodation requirements to community schools, science and technology schools, and college-preparatory boarding schools under Ohio law