New Suspension and Expulsion Statute in Ohio

September 29, 2025

The state of Ohio recently enacted significant changes to its student suspension and expulsion laws, granting schools broader authority to expel students for longer periods, specifically in cases the Superintendent has deemed as an “imminent and severe endangerment” to the health and safety of the rest of the school. Unfortunately, this new law raises a lot of concerns about fairness, transparency, and disproportionate impacts on vulnerable or misunderstood students. Students with disabilities, mental health challenges, or those subject to administrative overreach face greater risks.

The LLF National Law Firm knows just how frustrating this statute is for Ohio families. As such, we stand as a critical safeguard for your family, ensuring that expulsions are not weaponized unfairly or without proper justification. Contact the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation online.

What does Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.66 Actually Do?

Like most states, Ohio has laws that give schools the right to suspend or expel students for particular behaviors, especially when the health and safety of other students, faculty, and staff are at risk. However, this revision of the current statute, now empowers school districts to expel students for up to 180 days for behaviors they believe pose an imminent and severe endangerment to others’ safety.

After this period, a student must undergo an assessment by a mental health professional. If the student is deemed not rehabilitated, the superintendent can extend the expulsion by another 90 days, repeating this cycle as many times as necessary until the student is considered sufficiently rehabilitated to return to school. This change effectively means expulsion can be indefinite, significantly impacting students and families, especially vulnerable students and families.

Under the statute, behavior that poses “imminent and severe endangerment” is defined as:

  • Possessing or bringing a firearm onto school property;
  • Possessing or bringing a blade with the potential to inflict serious physical injury on campus;
  • Engaging in conduct that would be considered a criminal offense for an adult and results in significant bodily harm to another individual;
  • Making a credible threat involving explosives or bombs; and
  • Issuing an explicit or verbalized threat that would cause a reasonable person to determine the student presents a substantial danger to those around them, like a hit list, social media post, or threatening written statement.

How the LLF National Law Firm Can Help

The LLF National Law Firm offers crucial support at every turn of this somewhat lengthy ordeal. Not only will our team ensure that your student’s rights are protected during disciplinary hearings, advocating for fair treatment and adherence to due process, but they will also help your family navigate the mental health assessment process. Moreover, the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team will closely examine your school’s conditions for readmission, challenging any that are vague, overly burdensome, or fail to account for your child’s particular circumstances.

The recent changes to Ohio’s suspension and expulsion statutes make it more important than ever for students and families to work closely with knowledgeable, committed advocates. The LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team will defend your student’s rights and help your entire family navigate this challenging period. Contact our offices today at 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation online.

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