Abrams's Bill to Protect Military Children Passes House

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) today announced House passage of House Bill 558, legislation that would require public children services agencies to report child abuse or neglect in military families to the appropriate military authorities.

“The Ohio House sent a clear message today that our state is a strong partner to our military services in their efforts to support military families,” said Abrams, who sponsored the bill.

Under current law, military services are required to establish Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with state and local child welfare services to collaborate on the oversight of cases involving military families. However, county welfare agencies may not have the authority or direction to collect this information or share it with the appropriate Department of Defense authorities.

H.B. 558 requires child welfare case workers to ask clients if they are associated with the military and gives case workers the authority to share this information with the appropriate military authorities. These two provisions provide a more uniformed law and allow for better coordination of local child welfare and military protective and rehabilitative services.

“We must protect our military children in Ohio, and this bill allows the Department of Defense to get them the help and resources they need,” added Abrams.

The Ohio Children’s Alliance, Department of Defense State Liaison Office, Dayton Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Dayton Development Coalition, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital voiced their support for the bill during the committee process.

The legislation received a vote of 93-0 on the House floor. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.