A Legislative Update, June 12 2019
The House was successful in passing several pieces of legislation last week to better the lives of hardworking Ohioans.
My colleagues in the Ohio House and I work hard to improve the lives of the Ohioans we represent, and I appreciate the opportunity to update you on these and other issues before us in the legislature.
Workforce Development and Streamlining of Credential and Pathways: House Bill 4 streamlines the process for businesses to create new workforce certificates so Ohioans can compete in the rapidly evolving economy. By cutting bureaucratic red tape, more employers will be attracted to invest in Ohio and our workforce. House Bill 4 passed unanimously and I co-sponsored it because I believe Ohio’s government should provide assistance to those who want to fill the workforce demand.
Foster Caregiver Training: House Bill 8 revises the requirements for foster caregiver training in Ohio so that potential foster parents can be trained, licensed, and approved in a more effective manner. Ohio’s foster care system is experiencing an unprecedented strain as a result of drug addiction, leaving Ohio with a shortage of foster caregivers. House Bill 8 will allow Ohio’s Department of Jobs and Family Services to adapt to the needs of the foster care system by providing more flexibility to foster families. I co-sponsored this important piece of legislation which passed unanimously.
Fiscal Years 2020-2021 Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Budget: I sponsored Substitute House Bill 80 to fund the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021. BWC is the largest state-fund workers’ compensation system in the country. BWC receives no state general revenue funding – it is funded through employers’ assessments. Substitute House Bill 80 includes a provision that would allow peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical workers who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Currently, PTSD benefits are only permitted when there is an accompanying physical injury.
Prohibiting Death Penalty for Mentally Ill: Substitute House Bill 136 would prohibit imposing the death penalty for aggravated murder when the offender had a serious mental illness at the time of the offense. This legislation requires the resentencing of a person previously sentenced to death who has been proved to have a serious mental illness at the time of the offense to life imprisonment, and provides a mechanism for resentencing. I co-sponsored Substitute House Bill 136.
Improving Amusement Ride Safety: House Bill 189 revises amusement ride operation and safety laws through the expansion of current standards and inspector qualifications. This legislation includes an enhanced classification system to identify rides that may need a more comprehensive inspection, tracking previous locations of temporary amusement rides prior to their operation in Ohio, and requiring photographic documentation of major repairs before and after they are completed. This legislation contains an emergency provision, which would make it effective immediately after it is signed into law.
In everything I do, whether it is in Columbus or back in my home district of Stark County, I will continue to make your priorities my priorities. With that goal in mind, I welcome your feedback and opinions at any time. Please do not hesitate to contact me by calling (614) 752-2438, emailing Rep48@OhioHouse.gov, or by writing me at 77 South High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215.