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Rep. Jarrells Introduces Five New Pieces of Legislation

May 28, 2026
Dontavius L. Jarrells News

Rep. Jarrells press release cover

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) introduced five new pieces of legislation aimed to protect and serve all Ohioans.

HB 868 – High School instruction on peace officer interactions

  • Summary:  Provides high school instruction that educates students on how to interact with peace officers in consultation with local law enforcement.
  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House Education Committee.

HB 871 – Designate Gun Violence Awareness Month

  • Joint Sponsor: State Rep. Darnell T Brewer (D-Cleveland)
  • Summary: Designates the month of June as Violence Awareness Month.
  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House General Government Committee.

HB 902 – Enact The Fostering Siblings Success Act

  • Joint Sponsor: State Rep. Riordan T McClain (R-Upper Sandusky)
  • Summary: Keeps foster siblings together as long as they are placed in appropriate foster homes. This legislation establishes consistent expectations that prioritize sibling relationships in the foster care system.
  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 907 – Enact the Food Literacy and Nutrition Education Act

  • Joint Sponsor: State Rep. Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta)
  • Summary: Helps K-12 students make informed, healthy food choices through easily accessible standards published on the Department of Education's website. This legislation will establish statewide food literacy standards for students in Ohio.
  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House Education Committee.

HB 908 – Enact Cassidy’s Law

  • Summary: Strengthens court review for vulnerable children, improves communication between agencies, and expands public awareness around child abuse and neglect.
  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
     

“Every bill we introduce is an opportunity to affirm what kind of state we want to be and what kind of responsibility we owe to one another. These pieces of legislation are rooted in the belief that public policy should protect people, strengthen families, and respond to the real experiences Ohioans carry every day. Whether it is helping young people safely navigate interactions with law enforcement, preserving the bond between siblings in foster care, addressing gun violence, expanding food literacy in our schools, or strengthening protections for vulnerable children, these legislations reflect a commitment to building a safer, healthier, and more compassionate Ohio. At its core, this work is about ensuring people feel seen, protected, and supported by the very systems designed to serve them,” said Rep. Jarrells.

The introduction of these pieces of legislation are an important step towards protecting the most vulnerable Ohioans and establishing transparency within different agencies.