Click, Klopfenstein Reintroduce STORK Act

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) recently reintroduced the Strategic Tax Opportunities for Raising Kids (STORK) Act, legislation from the 135th General Assembly to provide tax relief to Ohio’s young families and expectant mothers.

House Bill 87 aims to ease financial burden for expectant families by allowing parents to claim their children as dependents on Ohio income tax filings beginning in the year they were conceived, rather than the year they were born. 

“The costs of starting and raising a family begin before childbirth,” said Click. “This bill will provide young, working middle-income families with a tax break they need and deserve.”

According to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation, the average cost of giving birth in the U.S. in 2022 was $18,856. Even for those enrolled in large group healthcare plans, the average out-of-pocket cost was still $2,854, excluding the costs of preparing for a newborn beforehand.

“It’s important that we support young, expectant families and this legislation is a step forward in ensuring Ohio is the best place to raise a family,” said Klopfenstein.

The STORK Act awaits a House committee assignment.