Senate bill to include prevention of dating violence in classwork

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — Legislation requiring schools to incorporate dating- violence prevention into classroom health lessons overwhelmingly passed the Ohio Senate.

The bill was approved Wednesday on a vote of 32-0, and it now heads back to the Ohio House for concurrence on amendments added by senators.

Substitute House Bill 19, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles, D-65th, was named the Tina Croucher Act, in memory of an 18-year-old from southwestern Ohio who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1992.

The legislation would require school districts to incorporate dating-violence prevention into health classes for students in seventh through 12th grades.

Instruction will include information on recognizing signs of dating violence and characteristics of healthy relationships.

The legislation also would disqualify school-bus drivers from employment if they have been found guilty of certain crimes, including murder, kidnapping and sex-related offenses.

The prohibition already applies to teachers, administrators and other licensed school personnel.