OHIO — The new year is upon us, and with it come some major political changes for the Buckeye State.
Several new laws will take effect in 2026, including new laws targeting drug overdoses in schools, “Keith’s Law” and the finalization of cellphone policies for schools.
For more information on the latest state laws, click here.
House Bill 57: Jan. 19, 2026
The new law allows a city, local, exempted village or joint vocational school district to obtain and maintain a supply of an overdose reversal drug for an emergency. The district’s board of education will be required to adopt and implement a policy regarding the supply’s maintenance and drug’s use at each school operated by the district.
Policies must include:
- A requirement that each school conform to the requirements of division (C)(1) of section 3715.50 of the Revised Code
- The amount of the drug’s supply to be maintained at each school
- A requirement that each school’s supply be stored in a secure location that is easily accessible to school employees or contractors
- A description of any training regarding the supply’s maintenance and drug’s use that school employees or contractors may be required to complete
Under the law, a board of education can accept donations of money from any person or entity to purchase overdose reversal drugs, with the money used only for that purpose. The board must track the spending of the donated funds.
District superintendents must also file a report as soon as is practical following the use of an overdose reversal drug. The use must be reported to the board of education and the parent or guardian of the student who received the reversal drug. An annual report must also be made of the district’s use of overdose reversal drugs in emergencies to the Department of Education and Workforce.
House Bill 144: Jan. 19, 2026
“Keith’s Law” was passed in October, and aims to enhance first responders’ ability to assist individuals with special needs during emergencies.
Through the law, a voluntary statewide database is established for those with special needs to share relevant and vital information with first responders. Officials said the information will be shared with each county’s 911 system. The systems will be required to provide the appropriate information to first responders when dispatched to ensure first responders are prepared.
The database will be administered by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities in partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety
Minimum wage increase: Jan. 1, 2026
Minimum wage will increase on New Year’s Day from $10.70 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.35 per hour for tipped employees to $11 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.50 for tipped employees.
The increase is 30 cents for non-tipped workers and 25 cents for tipped workers.
The minimum wage will apply to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts totaling more than $405,000 per year.
Minimum wage increases each year because of a constitutional amendment passed in Nov. 2006 stating that Ohio’s minimum wage increases Jan. 1 each year by a rate of inflation. Ohio’s minimum wage is tied to the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers over the 12-month period prior to September.
At smaller companies with annual gross receipts of $394,000 or less per year after Jan. 1, and for 14- and 15-year-olds, the state’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. The state wage is tied to the federal minimum wage, which requires an act of Congress and the president’s signature to change.
School Cellphone policies: Jan. 1, 2026
While DeWine signed the bill requiring every Ohio school district to establish an official policy regarding cell phone use during school hours, aiming to minimize student use in K-12 schools, it still takes effect next year.
The policies must emphasize that student cellphone use be limited during the school day, reduce distractions caused by cellphones in class settings and if a school board determines it appropriate, or if included in a student’s individual education program, allow for students to use cellphones or other electronic communication devices for student learning, to monitor a health concern or to address a health concern.
While most schools have adopted policies ahead of the 2025-2026 school year, by state law a policy prohibiting cellphone use by students during the instructional day must be set by Jan. 1, 2026.
