Budget provision makes Ohio first state in nation to require mental health training for coaches

A provision in the state budget signed into law last week by Gov. Mike DeWine makes Ohio the first state in the nation to require mental health training for high school coaches (Source: “'This is a win': Mental health training for coaches signed into state law,” Columbus Dispatch, July 7).

What started as House Bill 492 before being added to the budget bill mandates that coaches be trained as they are certified over the next few years, rather than implementing the law at one time en masse. Most coaching permits are issued every three years, although some last for four or five years.

Sponsored by Reps. Mike Loychik, R-Bazetta, and Gail Pavliga, R-Portage County, HB 492 originally was introduced in summer 2021 but stalled over the next 18 months. It was reintroduced earlier this year and referred to the education committee but then stalled in the Senate.