On March 13, 2018, Gabriella Celeste offered written testimony to the Ohio Senate Finance Committee in support of . Introduced by Senator Lehner, SB 246, also known as the SAFE Act, would limit how and when schools can issue a suspension for students in grades K-3, require principals to consult with mental health professionals prior to suspension or expulsion, and require schools to implement a positive behavior intervention and support framework. As Celeste noted in her testimony, “In Ohio, we suspend thousands of our youngest students from school every year and we do so, as a matter of discipline, without addressing the underlying causes of student behavior.” SB 246 would provide teachers and schools with the tools to build a positive school climate which has been shown to improve school safety and increase academic success.
Update: On May 16, 2018 the Ohio Senate unanimously passed SB 246. It will now go to the House of Representatives.
SB 246 became a part of HB 318, which was passed on June 6, 2018.