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McClain Approves Bills Supporting Small Businesses and Oversight on State Health Orders

November 20, 2020
Riordan T. McClain News

This past week, State Rep. Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) had the opportunity to support two critical bills, the “Business Fairness Act” (House Bill 621) and Senate Bill 311. These bills were passed out of the Ohio House this week on Wednesday and Thursday.

House Bill 621, also known as the Business Fairness Act, allows any business that can comply with safety standards from government orders or regulations to remain open. The bill’s intent is to create competitive fairness by giving small businesses the ability to maintain operations during a public health emergency.

“I want small businesses, their families and workers to know that we are fighting for them down in Columbus amid the instability we are seeing from health orders,” said McClain. “Many small businesses were forced to close down months back while large-retail stores stayed open, small businesses across the 87th district are just as essential as other businesses and should remain open while adhering to health guidelines.”

McClain also supported Senate Bill 311, which clarifies the authority of the Department of Health in its quarantine and isolation health orders on Ohioans in two ways:

1.            The bill specifies that state quarantine and isolation orders may only be issued in situations when an individual has been either directly exposed or has been medically diagnosed with the relevant disease. It’s key to note, this is consistent with the definitions of quarantine and isolation according to the CDC.

2.            The legislation allows the General Assembly to rescind quarantine and isolation orders issued pertaining to 3701.13 or 3701.14 by passing a concurrent resolution.

These provisions will allow the General Assembly to have a say in representation of their constituents across Ohio when it comes to protecting their rights and liberties against government overreach pertaining to these orders. Additionally, it will ensure that no quarantine and isolation orders can be issued broadly to individuals who have not been exposed.

“For months and months I've heard from Ohioans who feel like their voice has not been heard, I have felt for months that my voice as their rep has not been effective,” said McClain. “I don't doubt the Governor is taking action from good intention, but my hope is that through this bill the citizen voice can be inserted into this process and carry the weight that it should. This is not an attack on public health as the opposition has suggested, this is a demand to have a seat at the table to fulfill our Constitutional duty as our District representatives.”

The Business Fairness Act passed within the House and now proceeds to the Senate while Senate Bill 311 heads to the governor’s desk.