OHIO — It’s a new year and a new day, which means multiple laws are now in effect in Ohio.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Ringing in the new year, new rules are in place, including an increase in the minimum wage, religious expression in schools, and measures regarding bathroom usage across the state.
Check out our rundown of some of the bigger laws taking in 2025.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Homicide suspect leads police on chase, crashes car after shooting self on US-68, police say
- Confidence growing for impactful winter storm with accumulating snow this weekend
- All lanes back open on I-675 after icy conditions closed it
The New Laws:
Ohio’s minimum wage has increased from $10.45 to $10.70 per hour for non-tipped employees. Tipped employees also get a pay raise of $5.25 to $5.35 per hour.
The wage increase is due to a 2006 constitutional amendment. It ties wage increases to inflation, ensuring incremental charges annually.
House Bill 214 is now in effect after it was passed in October. It requires public schools to accommodate religious beliefs through “Religious Expression Days.” It allows students to take up to three excused absences every year for faith-based activities or holidays The legislation specifies that schools cannot question the sincerity of religious requests but may verify them with a parent or guardian.
Starting Feb. 25, House Bill 183 mandates that public and private schools, colleges, and universities designate bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations exclusively by gender assigned at birth.
School boards across Ohio will have until July 1 to establish comprehensive cellphone usage policies. These rules aim to minimize distractions by limiting in-class phone use, with certain exceptions allowed through individualized education plans.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
