HB 485, titled the Baby Olivia Act, requires Ohio public schools to include human growth and development instruction within health education courses. This policy change directly affects K-12 students and school districts by mandating specific curriculum content. The bill amends several education-related sections of the Revised Code and adds new Section 3313.6034 to implement this requirement. The key provision is the inclusion of age-appropriate human growth and development education as part of standard health curriculum.
HB 88 increases penalties for drug trafficking above specific quantities and prohibits organized human trafficking. It requires all Ohio schools and colleges to implement fentanyl awareness education and prevention policies. The bill also designates August as "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month" to promote public education. These provisions directly affect drug traffickers, educational institutions, and the general public through heightened penalties and prevention efforts. The law amends multiple sections of the Ohio Revised Code to enact these specific policy changes.
HB 134 creates a registration program allowing home kitchens to legally sell certain homemade foods, like baked goods or jams, directly to customers. It updates state rules to establish a microenterprise home kitchen registration system, replacing the need for a full commercial kitchen license. Home cooks must register under this new program to sell qualifying foods, which are limited to low-risk items meeting specific safety standards. The law directly affects small-scale home food producers seeking to sell their goods without operating a commercial kitchen.
HB 303 establishes a statewide community energy program and a pilot program to support local energy initiatives. It creates new rules for community energy projects and defines standardized electricity measurement for alternating current systems. The bill directly affects local communities, utilities, and energy providers by setting up a framework for developing community-owned energy projects. Key provisions include requirements for the pilot program's implementation and updated measurement standards to ensure consistent electricity tracking.
HB 486, the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act, changes Ohio state education laws to allow teachers in public schools and state colleges to teach about Christianity's influence on U.S. history and culture. It amends specific sections of the Revised Code to explicitly permit this curriculum content in classrooms. The bill directly affects public school educators and faculty at state universities by expanding allowable teaching topics. This policy change modifies current restrictions on classroom instruction regarding religious influences in historical and cultural contexts.
HB 324, the Patient Protection Act, prohibits pharmacies from selling certain drugs known to cause severe adverse effects and establishes new safety requirements for doctors who prescribe those drugs. It directly affects prescribers (like physicians) and pharmacies by restricting the sale of high-risk medications and mandating specific safeguards before they can be prescribed or dispensed. The bill creates concrete policy changes by banning these specific drug sales and requiring prescribers to follow defined safety protocols to protect patients. The law is named the Patient Protection Act as specified in the bill's title.
HB 338, "Andy's Law," increases criminal penalties for assaults or causing death of staff or inmates at Ohio state or local correctional facilities. It amends specific Ohio Revised Code sections to impose stricter sentencing for these offenses and updates policies and procedures for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The law directly affects correctional facility staff, inmates, and the state's criminal justice system by changing how such incidents are prosecuted and managed. These changes focus on enhancing accountability for violence within correctional settings.
HB 519 amends Ohio law to make it a crime to possess an electronic device (like a key fob or hacking tool) when circumstances suggest the intent to steal a motor vehicle. It directly affects individuals who attempt to steal vehicles using electronic means, such as bypassing security systems. The key provision prohibits holding such devices in situations where the intent to commit vehicle theft is evident, rather than requiring actual theft to occur. This change clarifies and strengthens existing statutes to address electronic vehicle theft methods.
HB 476 amends Ohio's Charitable Gaming Law to allow charities to conduct raffles online, rather than only in-person. It specifically updates sections 2915.01, 2915.092, and 2915.14 to authorize this new method of fundraising. The bill directly affects Ohio-registered charities that currently use raffles as a fundraising tool. The law declares an emergency to expedite implementation, making online raffles a legal option under the state's charitable gaming rules.
SB 330, the Student Wellness Act, allows Ohio school districts to count mental health days as excused absences for students. This directly affects students who need to miss school for mental health reasons and school districts that implement the policy. The key provision amends school absence rules to explicitly include mental health as a valid reason for excused absences, replacing the need for traditional medical notes. School districts can now adopt this policy without additional legislative approval under the new section 3321.044 of the Revised Code. The law aims to support student well-being by reducing barriers to seeking mental health care.
Senate Resolution 272, adopted by the Ohio Senate on February 10, 2026, formally honors the New California Presbyterian Church in Marysville, Ohio, on its 200th anniversary. The resolution recognizes the church's two-century history of community service, spiritual guidance, and dedication to faith within Union County. It directs the Senate Clerk to send a certified copy of the resolution to the church as a ceremonial acknowledgment of its enduring impact. This is a non-binding resolution expressing legislative appreciation, not a policy change affecting any laws or regulations.
SR 274 is a ceremonial resolution commending the Fremont Rotary Club for its 100th anniversary. It formally honors the club's century of community service, volunteerism, and civic engagement in Fremont, Ohio. The resolution, adopted by the Ohio Senate, extends congratulations and best wishes to the club and its members. It has no policy impact or cost; it simply recognizes the club's contributions through a formal Senate resolution.
