Thaddeus J. Claggett News

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.