Rep. Jarrells highlights 134th General Assembly victories, anticipates even more success in the next General Assembly

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today highlighted the passage of five bills he sponsored during the 134th Ohio General Assembly and asserted his intention to continue fighting for the rights and freedoms of all Ohioans in the new year. 

“Over the past two years, I have fought tirelessly to defend workers’ rights, improve access to and awareness of behavioral healthcare and protect our most fundamental freedoms,” said Rep. Jarrells. “In the 135th General Assembly, serving as the Assistant Minority Leader, I intend to continue this work and expand upon the progress we have made to create a better Ohio for all.”

During the 134th General Assembly, Rep. Jarrells sponsored and passed the following bills:

HB 281 also known as the Mental Health and Disability Terminology Act, which replaces statutory terms related to people with disabilities, substance abuse disorders and mental illnesses. The bill also updates statutory provisions relating to assistance dogs, Braille teacher standards, the Children with Medical Handicaps Program, the former Ohio Commission for the Blind and accessible parking spaces.  
 

HB 453 establishes the Recovery is Beautiful specialty license plate to provide individuals and families with hope and encouragement, as well as to provide additional funding to expand recovery supports when individuals experience a mental health or substance abuse problem. This bill was incorporated into HB 578. 
 

HB 561 designates January 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Ohio to bring more attention to a crime that leaves a lasting toll on human life, families and communities across this state. The bill was incorporated into Substitute Senate Bill 63, which allows county probation department to accept credit card payments.
 

HB 114, which requires the Ohio History Connection to designate Poindexter Village, located in Columbus, as a state historic site. This bill was enacted through the operating budget, HB 110.
 

HB 354, which declares void discriminatory covenants in deeds limiting the transfer or lease of real property to individuals against whom discrimination is prohibited under Ohio Civil Rights Law; allows attorneys preparing new deeds to omit discriminatory restrictive covenants that are contained in prior deed; provides that omission of a discriminatory restrictive covenant from a new deed does not affect the validity of the deed and; prohibits county recorders from refusing to record such a deed due to that omission. This bill was also incorporated into the operating budget, HB 110.
 

In addition to these legislative victories, HB 45 appropriates $150 million in ARPA funding for Lead Prevention and Mitigation; this is similar to the appropriation outlined in Rep. Jarrells’ bill, HB 587.