Dontavius L. Jarrells News

Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) voted in favor of Substitute House Bill (HB) 169 to appropriate $4.18 billion to support education, expand access to childcare and improve public health, among other investments in Ohio’s working people, families and communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is funded through several federal COVID-19 relief packages, the majority of which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act backed by Democrats and signed into law by President Biden earlier this year.

State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) issued a statement today after Senate Bill (SB) 157, the latest Republican anti-abortion bill, passed the Ohio House on a party line vote. Opponents say SB 157 would patients in danger by interfering with the ability for doctors and patients to make appropriate and life-saving medical decisions if faced with a medical crisis during pregnancy.

State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) issued the following statement after former Franklin County Sheriff’s office deputy Jason Meade was indicted on murder charges for the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. in December 2020. 

State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today called on the House Criminal Justice Committee to hold legislative hearings on House Bill 367, known as Andre’s Law, which would require the use of body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras by peace officers, among other changes to increase transparency and accountability for police in Ohio. 

Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) yesterday voted in opposition to two bills opponents say would make schools and communities less safe and fail to address gun violence in Ohio. House Bill (HB) 99 would allow school districts to arm teachers in the classroom without adequate training or safe storage requirements, while HB 227 would eliminate concealed weapon training and safety standards, including penalties for failing to notify police of a concealed weapon during a stop. 

COLUMBUS—In response to a recent Republican press conference on community engagement with law enforcement, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Rep. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) today urged action on comprehensive Democratic legislation to modernize policing in Ohio, improve community-police relations and ensure the safety and security of both officers and the public. Democrats unveiled their proposals in April 2021, which are a key pillar of their Opportunity Agenda for Ohio. Democrats say many of the reforms they introduced are already working to improve policing and public safety in communities and states across the country. 

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.