Dontavius L. Jarrells News

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced today that assistance is available through the Ohio Department of Development and IMPACT Community Action for Ohioans who need help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills. Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected from their utility service, transferring services, establishing new services, at or below 25% fuel, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 12 months, may also be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program.

Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of $202 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) for the Home Energy Assistance Weatherization Program, which helps Ohioans pay their energy bills if they are at or below 175% of the federal poverty line.

State Reps. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Adam Miller (D-Columbus) today provided sponsor testimony before the Ohio Higher Education and Career Readiness Committee on H.B. 415, the Veteran Education Tuition Support Act, which would expand eligibility for in-state tuition to veterans, their spouses, and dependents. The bill would specifically provide in-state tuition to any member of the Ohio National Guard who had 15 days active duty or active duty training in a service year. 

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced he will soon introduce legislation to establish the “Recovery is Beautiful” specialty license plate to provide individuals and families with hope and encouragement, as well as provide additional funding to expand recovery supports when individuals experience a mental health or substance abuse problem.

Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including $121.2 million from the American Rescue Plan to support homeless youth, preschool students and children with disabilities.

State Reps. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Rep. Adam Miller (D-Columbus) today introduced the Veteran Education Tuition Support Act, which would expand eligibility for veterans, their spouses, and dependents for in-state tuition. This bill would specifically provide in-state tuition to any member of the Ohio National Guard who had 15 days active duty or active duty training in a service year. 

Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including $84.7 million for various highway and road construction projects across the state. Included was funding for Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) construction projects and lead abatement. 

COLUMBUS— Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today applauded the inclusion of his bipartisan equal housing legislation, House Bill (HB) 354, within the recently signed state budget. Rep. Jarrells introduced the measure alongside Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg). It would void language in any existing deed that restricts the sale, transfer or lease of real property to individual based on race, color, religion, sex, military status, familial status, ancestry, disability, or national origin. The bill also protects from civil liability attorneys who discover and remove such discriminatory language from a deed.

 COLUMBUS –State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) introduced Andre’s Law, House Bill (HB) 367, regarding the use of body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras by peace officers, the use of excessive force by peace officers, and the public release of body-worn camera or dashboard camera recordings when there is an allegation of peace officer misconduct. 

Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) issued a statement following the announcement that Ohioans who were overpaid unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic will be eligible for a waiver to avoid costly repayments. Ohioans who saw their benefits stolen by scammers will also be eligible for replacement payments.