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Bill

SB 442

Enact the Food Literacy Standards Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michele Reynolds and 1 co-sponsor

Ohio will adopt a statewide K-12 food literacy standard, then publish and distribute it to districts, with parent opt-out available for portions of the instruction.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · SB 442

Overview

SB 442, introduced in the 136th Ohio General Assembly by Sen. Reynolds, envisions creating a new state standard for food literacy to be adopted for kindergarten through 12th grade. The bill would establish formal requirements for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) to develop, adopt, and disseminate food literacy standards, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, and set reporting and opt-out provisions for districts and schools.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a statewide framework of food literacy standards for K-12.
  • Ensure students receive guidance on how food choices influence health, how to prepare meals, and how food is grown.
  • Integrate farming, production, and availability of wholesome foods into the standards with interagency collaboration.

Key provisions and changes

  • Repeal and replacement mechanism:

    • Repeals the current standard-setting framework that requires concurrent resolutions and public hearings for health standards, replacing it with a dedicated Food Literacy Standards Act.
    • Requires concurrent resolution process and public hearings for health standards in general; SB 442 specifically creates a separate pathway for food literacy standards.

  • Standards development (Section 3301.0733(A)):

    • ODEW must adopt food literacy standards for grades K-12 within one year after the act’s effective date.
    • Standards must be based on a review of relevant national and state standards.
    • Content to include how food choices affect health, meal preparation, and agricultural aspects (growing food).
    • ODEW must consult the Department of Agriculture regarding farming, production, and availability of wholesome foods.
    • ODEW may revise the standards over time.

  • Implementation and dissemination (Section 3301.0733(B)):

    • After adoption, ODEW must promptly post the standards and any revisions on its public website.
    • Distribute the standards and revisions to all school districts, charter schools (community schools under Chapter 3314), and STEM schools (Chapter 3326).
    • Districts and schools must post the standards on their own publicly accessible websites.

  • Format of instruction and opt-out (Section 3301.0733(C)):

    • Upon a parent/guardian written request, a district or school must excuse the student from any food literacy instruction aligned with the standards.
    • The bill notes that this opt-out does not exempt students from existing health education requirements or other graduation requirements under statute (e.g., 3313.603).

  • Effective timeline:

    • The act specifies adoption within one year of its effective date.
    • Subsequent posting, distribution, and district-level access requirements follow adoption.

Who is affected

  • Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW): responsible for creating, adopting, and updating the standards; coordinating with the Department of Agriculture.
  • Department of Agriculture: consulted for standards related to farming, production, and wholesome foods.
  • School districts, community schools, and STEM schools: required to implement and publicly display the standards; districts must provide access to the standards if they do not adopt them into curricula.
  • Students: subject to food literacy instruction aligned with the standards, with parental opt-out available.
  • Parents/guardians: can request opt-out from portions of food literacy instruction.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill sets a concrete deadline: adoption of the new standards within one year of the act’s effective date.
  • After adoption, rapid dissemination requirements apply (posting on ODEW site and distribution to all districts and schools).
  • Public accountability: districts/schools must post the standards publicly; public access is emphasized.
  • Opt-out rights for parents are provided, but existing health education and graduation requirements remain unaffected.

Notes

  • The bill creates a distinct framework for food literacy standards, thread­ing interagency collaboration, and a targeted dissemination plan, while preserving existing health education requirements.
  • As introduced, the act is named the Food Literacy Standards Act.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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