Self-defense class could become requirement to graduate high school in Ohio

Two local Ohio state representatives are advocating for self-defense classes in high school.

State Representatives Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) and Andrea White (R-Kettering) introduced House Bill 639, otherwise known as the Student Protection Act, at the beginning of May. The bill would require high school students to complete self-defense training to receive a diploma.

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The bill would require that students entering the 9th grade on or after July 1, 2023 in Ohio’s public or nonpublic schools complete self-defense training as part of their one-half unit of health instruction under the state’s minimum high school curriculum requirement.

If passed, the bill would the school districts or chartered nonpublic school would be able to determine which courses would meet the training requirement.

White said in a release that behaviors such as physical, emotional or sexual abuse and assault should not be tolerated or go unreported.

“Reinforcing this message with our young people, while equipping them with defensive tactics and proactive strategies will help them protect themselves and avoid dangerous situations,” White said.

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The Student Protection Act would require that the self-defense instruction to include a demonstration by a school resource officer or a certified self-defense instructor.

The bill would require each person providing health instruction to complete a self-defense training course.

Young stated that the training could also provide an opportunity to develop relationships between students and local law enforcement, as well as their student resource officers.

The bill was referred to the House Health Committee on May 17.

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