COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) —

The Ohio Senate passed Thursday night House Bill 409, which allows local discretion on education requirements this school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The bill removes attendance requirements from course completion standards, adjusts deadlines for teacher evaluations, loosens criteria for substitute teachers, and eliminates the ratings for individual schools and districts this year for aid and penalty purposes. 

The bill was amended by the Senate, so will now go back to the House. If it passed in the House, it will head to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for signature. 

If signed by the governor, House Bill 409 will take effect immediately.