OH K-12 AI Mandate
Ohio K-12 Artificial Intelligence Policy Mandate (HB 96)
First-in-nation mandate requiring all Ohio K-12 public schools to adopt formal AI usage policies by July 1, 2026. Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released model policy on December 30, 2025 covering academic integrity, procurement/privacy, and anti-bullying. Districts can adopt state model or create their own aligned policy.
Jurisdiction
Ohio
Enacted
Jan 1, 2025
Effective
Jan 1, 2025
Enforcement
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Model policy released December 30, 2025. All districts must adopt AI policy by July 1, 2026.
Ohio Department of Education and WorkforceWhy It Matters
First-in-nation K-12 AI mandate. Addresses child safety (deepfakes, harassment), privacy (student data), and academic integrity. Affects providers of educational AI products.
Recent Developments
Model policy released December 30, 2025. Ohio becomes first state to mandate K-12 AI policies. Sets precedent for other states.
At a Glance
Applies to
Harms addressed
Who Must Comply
- All Ohio traditional public school districts
- Ohio community schools
- Ohio STEM schools
- Educational AI vendors serving Ohio schools
Obligations fall on:
Safety Provisions
- Academic Integrity: defines boundary between AI-assisted learning and plagiarism
- Procurement & Privacy: vetting standards for third-party AI tools to protect student data
- Anti-Bullying: addresses AI-generated harassment and deepfakes
- Student data protection requirements
- Age-appropriate AI use guidelines
Compliance & Enforcement
Key Dates
Dec 31, 2025
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to develop model AI policy
Jul 1, 2026
All Ohio K-12 public schools must adopt AI usage policy
Penalties
School compliance enforcement through state education oversight; specific penalties not detailed
View on map
Ohio
Focus Areas
Compliance Help
Schools must adopt AI policy addressing academic integrity, student privacy, and anti-bullying protections. Must vet third-party AI tools. Must update harassment policies for AI-generated threats.
See how NOPE helpsCite This
APA
Ohio. (2025). Ohio K-12 Artificial Intelligence Policy Mandate (HB 96).
Related Regulations
FL Companion Chatbot Act
Regulates companion AI chatbots with emphasis on self-harm prevention and crisis intervention. Requires suicide/self-harm detection protocols, 988 crisis referrals, prohibition on chatbots discussing self-harm with users, and annual reporting on crisis interventions. Includes minor-specific protections including AI disclosure, break reminders, and prohibition on sexually explicit content.
IL AI Employment Law
Amends Illinois Human Rights Act to make it a civil rights violation for employers to use AI that discriminates based on protected classes in employment decisions. Requires notice to employees and applicants when AI is used in hiring, firing, promotion, or discipline.
NY S 8420-A
Requires disclosure when advertisements use AI-generated 'synthetic performers.' Penalties of $1,000 for first offense, $5,000 for subsequent violations.
VT AADC
Vermont design code structured to be more litigation-resistant: focuses on data processing harms rather than content-based restrictions. AG rulemaking authority begins July 2025.
FL Companion AI Age Verification
Standalone bill requiring age verification for ALL users (adults and minors) before accessing companion AI chatbots. Requires user account creation, confidential age verification, notifications that user is interacting with AI, and specific actions when user is determined to be a minor including potential access blocking.
FL AI Bill of Rights
Establishes an 'AI Bill of Rights' for Floridians including the right to know if communicating with AI, parental controls over minors' AI chatbot access, prohibition on selling user data, disclosure requirements for AI-generated political ads, and protections against unauthorized use of name/image/likeness by AI.
Last updated February 17, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.