Rule 5180:2-5-16 | Consideration of a child's religion, beliefs and practices.
(A) Do children in out-of-home care have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion?
Every child has the right to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Agencies must demonstrate consideration and sensitivity toward the religious background of children in out-of-home care and the families receiving services.
(B) Are children in out-of-home care allowed to practice their chosen religion or that of their family?
(1) An agency shall permit a child to practice the chosen religious faith of the child or their family and is not to subject a child to any form of religious coercion.
(2) A child is not to be baptized or submitted to any religious practices without prior consent of the child, according to their age and functioning level, and prior approval of the child's parent, guardian or custodian.
(3) A child is allowed to follow dietary restrictions related to religious beliefs, unless it is determined and documented in the child's case plan by the custodial agency that doing so is not in the child's best interests.
(4) Requirements outlined in this rule do not supersede the provisions outlined in division (A)(50) of section 2151.011 of the Revised Code.
(C) Can a child be coerced to participate in religious activities?
A child may not be coerced but may be invited to participate in religious activities if it does not conflict with the parent or child's chosen religious practice.
(D) Can an agency require a child to undergo non-emergency medical treatment that conflicts with their religion?
An agency is not to require non-emergency medical treatment that conflicts with the child's or parent's, guardian's, or custodian's religious beliefs without specific written consent from the parent, guardian, or custodian.
(E) What should be done if emergency medical treatment is needed but conflicts with religious beliefs?
The out-of-home care setting must immediately transport or arrange transportation of the child to a medical facility and notify the custodial agency or the individual who placed the child.
Last updated October 26, 2026 at 11:02 AM
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