Introduced in early 2025 by State Representatives Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) and Sean Brennan (D-Parma), the bill seeks to standardize a practice that sponsors argue is essential for civic health.
Moving from Discretion to Requirement
Under current Ohio law, school boards have the authority to decide whether the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. HB 117 would strip away that choice, requiring all public, STEM, and college-preparatory schools to establish a specific “time and manner” for the daily, in-person recitation of the pledge.
“Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance builds nationalism and unity by promising to be faithful to our American values,” said Rep. Richardson during her sponsor testimony. Rep. Brennan, a former civics and history teacher, echoed this sentiment, stating that public schools were created, in part, “to instill our young learners with a sense of loyalty to our country.”
Core Provisions of HB 117
The legislation outlines several key requirements for Ohio’s educational institutions:
* Mandatory Daily Program: Schools must integrate the pledge into their daily schedule.
* Transparency: All schools are required to publicly post their pledge policies, specifically on their official websites.
* Protection of Rights: The bill explicitly upholds current legal protections, stating that no student can be compelled to participate in the recitation. It further prohibits the intimidation or coercion of students who choose to opt out for religious or personal reasons.
* Unaltered Text: School employees and boards are strictly prohibited from altering the wording of the pledge as defined in federal law.
A Growing Debate on Civic Education
The introduction of the bill has sparked a broader conversation about the role of patriotism in the classroom. While proponents view it as a necessary tool for reinforcing civic education, critics have raised concerns about local control and the potential for social pressure on students who opt out.
According to reports from the Ohio Capital Journal, HB 117 arrives amidst a 2026 political landscape where some lawmakers are proposing even stricter mandates for patriotic exercises. Brennan, however, views the bill as an opportunity for “teachable moments.”
“The reason we stand for the pledge is for your rights and freedoms, and one of them is the right not to stand for the pledge,” Brennan noted, suggesting that the policy could foster discussions on inclusivity and the First Amendment.
Next Steps
As of February 2026, the bill remains a focal point of the House Education Committee. If passed, it would affect hundreds of school districts across the state, many of which already have daily pledge practices in place but would now be required to formalize and publicize those policies under state law.