On March 29th, 2023, Time reported that the Ohio senate began debating a bill called the Ohio Education Enhancement Act. In addition to banning diversity and equity programs, this new, sweeping legislation would guarantee that universities “encourag[e] students to reach their own conclusions” on “controversial issues,” including climate change. Even though there is broad scientific consensus on the facts of climate change, the bill’s primary sponsor, Republican state senator Jerry Srino, argued that climate change should be considered a “controversial issue” because “different views that exist out there about the extent of the climate change and the solutions to try to alter climate change” exist. This bill would force Ohio educators to frame the basic facts of climate change as worthy of scientific debate, giving undue weight to climate denialism.
On May 18, 2023, Ohio Capital Journal reported that the Ohio senate passed this bill in a 21-10 vote.
Update: Senate Bill 83 did not receive enough support to pass the House.