House Bill 96 makes Ohio the first state in the nation to mandate K-12 AI policies by statute. Here is what your district needs to know and what to do before the deadline.
Ohio House Bill 96, signed into law in 2024, requires every school district in Ohio to adopt a board-approved policy governing the use of artificial intelligence in schools. The deadline for compliance is July 1, 2026.
This makes Ohio the first state in the United States to require K-12 AI policies by statute — moving AI governance from an optional best practice to a legal mandate. The law applies to all traditional public school districts, charter schools, and vocational districts across the state.
HB 96 does not tell districts what their AI policy should say. It requires that a policy exist and be adopted by the board. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) published a model policy to help districts meet this requirement, but districts can customize or write their own.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released a model AI policy that districts can adopt as-is or customize. The model addresses six core areas:
Standards for protecting student data when AI tools are used in instruction, assessment, and administration
Guidelines for how students and staff should use AI tools in relation to academic work and original scholarship
Expectations for educator training on AI tools, responsible use, and integration into curriculum
Acceptable use parameters for both students and staff, including age-appropriate distinctions
Guidance on using AI to enhance instruction, personalize learning, and expand educational opportunities
Who reviews, approves, and maintains AI policy — including the role of the board, administration, and technology staff
The model policy is designed as a “plug-and-play” framework — districts can adopt it directly to meet the HB 96 requirement. However, districts with existing technology governance structures, specific vendor relationships, or unique student populations will benefit from customization.
Ohio becomes the first state to mandate K-12 AI policies by statute
ODEW publishes initial toolkit and guidance for districts beginning to explore AI governance
Coalition publishes guidance on workgroup structure, local policy development, and professional learning
ODEW releases the official model AI policy, giving districts 6+ months to review and adopt
Less than 3 months remain before the July 1 deadline. Districts should be finalizing policy language and scheduling board votes
All Ohio districts must have a board-adopted AI policy in place
Whether you start from the model policy or build your own, these steps will get you to compliance by July 1:
Assemble a cross-functional team that includes district administration, IT/technology staff, instructional leaders, a school board liaison, and at least one building-level educator. This group will own the policy development process and make recommendations to the board.
Before you can write policy, you need to know what you are governing. Inventory every AI tool currently in use across the district — including tools adopted informally by individual teachers. For each tool, document:
Use the ODEW model policy as your starting point, or use Beni’s AI AUP template which covers HB 96 requirements plus additional governance elements. Customize the policy to reflect your district’s specific tools, processes, and community values.
Your AI policy should work in concert with existing acceptable use policies, data governance policies, FERPA compliance procedures, and academic integrity standards. Identify conflicts and resolve them before the board vote.
Board calendars fill up fast. Identify your target board meeting for the vote and work backward from that date. Most districts will need at least one reading before the vote, which means policy language should be finalized by late May at the latest.
A policy that sits in a binder does not protect students or support educators. Plan for staff communication and training before the start of the 2026–2027 school year. Communicate key expectations to families as well.
If your board meets monthly and requires two readings before a policy vote, your latest start date for introducing the policy is the May board meeting. That means finalized draft language is needed by early May. If you have not started, the window is closing now.
Use this checklist to track your district’s progress toward the July 1 deadline:
Meeting the HB 96 deadline is the floor, not the ceiling. A board-adopted policy document satisfies the legal requirement, but it does not solve the day-to-day challenge of governing AI across a district. Consider these next steps:
Beni provides the governance platform that makes AI policy enforceable. Instead of a static document, Beni gives districts real-time tool approval workflows, automated policy enforcement at the classroom level, and compliance dashboards that show what AI tools are in use and whether they meet your policy standards. Apply to become a Founding Partner or schedule a demo.
Beni gives you the governance platform that makes your AI policy enforceable — not just a document, but a live system that controls what AI tools are used and how.
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