Rep. Sean Brennan

Maddy summaryHB 589 prohibits the state of Ohio from executing death sentences by administering nitrogen gas. The bill mandates that executions must be carried out using lethal injections, which involve administering a specific drug or combination of drugs to cause death. If lethal injection is later ruled unconstitutional, the law allows for alternative execution methods as long as they do not involve nitrogen gas. This legislation directly affects the procedures used by the state correctional system to carry out capital punishment.

Maddy summaryHB 591 establishes a rating system for entities that sponsor and operate community schools in Ohio, requiring the state Department of Education and Workforce to issue annual report cards for each school. These report cards will display both academic results and financial data, while also linking to the sponsor's and operator's individual performance ratings and websites. The bill mandates that sponsors must maintain compliance with reporting requirements and avoid an "ineffective" rating to be eligible for sponsoring additional schools. Additionally, the department will develop a framework to evaluate sponsors based on student academic performance, adherence to quality practices, and legal compliance, with the evaluation process subject to public comment.

Maddy summaryHB 593 amends the law on criminal child enticement by requiring that a person must act with a specific sexual motivation or an unlawful purpose to be convicted of the offense. This change directly affects individuals who solicit or lure children under fourteen years of age, ensuring that accidental or non-sexual interactions do not automatically result in criminal charges. The bill also clarifies that law enforcement, medical personnel, and school employees are exempt from these requirements when acting within the scope of their official duties, while providing an affirmative defense for actions taken during bona fide emergencies. Ultimately, the legislation aims to refine how the offense is defined and prosecuted without altering the underlying penalties for those who violate the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state report card specifically for chartered nonpublic schools that accept state scholarship students, requiring the department of education to issue these cards annually by mid-September. To oversee the process, the legislation establishes a State Report Card Review Committee composed of legislators, educators, parents, business representatives, and other stakeholders to study existing report cards and suggest improvements. The committee must include members from diverse backgrounds, such as special education experts and representatives from urban, suburban, and rural districts, and will submit its findings to the legislature by June. Additionally, the bill mandates that all state report cards be posted in a prominent location on the department's website to ensure public access.

Maddy summaryHB 543 updates the rules for handling property tax payments and records when land is divided, transferred, or inherited. It requires owners to submit specific affidavits to the county auditor to prove inheritance details before transferring real estate through descent. The bill also mandates that unpaid taxes and penalties be fairly split between the new owner and the remaining part of a property when a parcel is subdivided. Additionally, it prevents individuals who owe back taxes from buying properties that have been seized due to tax delinquency. These changes aim to streamline tax record-keeping and ensure fair allocation of tax liabilities during property transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large employers with call centers to notify state officials at least 120 days before moving operations or a significant portion of their volume to a foreign country. If an employer fails to provide this notice, they face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day, though courts can reduce fines if there is just cause. Additionally, any business that relocates a call center abroad becomes ineligible for state grants, loans, tax benefits, or other economic incentives for five years, unless the state determines that denying the funding would cause substantial job losses, environmental harm, or a significant economic impact. The legislation also prohibits state contractors from hiring individuals to perform call center work outside the state and ensures that state employees are not penalized for their employers' relocation decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 526 directs the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to create new rules governing the Ohio Works First program, which provides cash assistance to low-income families with children. These rules will establish specific standards for eligibility, payment amounts, and the verification of income and citizenship for applicants and participants. The bill also outlines requirements for work activities, self-sufficiency contracts, and procedures for handling sanctions or errors in payments. Additionally, it defines key terms such as "countable income" and "strike" to ensure consistency in how the program is administered across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 541 amends state labor laws to require school employees to report suspected violations involving minors under sixteen years of age. The bill also mandates that employers maintain accurate lists of minor employees and provides enforcement officials with the authority to verify the age of workers who appear to be under eighteen. Key provisions include creating a dedicated enforcement fund to hire staff, increasing penalties for violations, and allowing for the detention of minors who refuse to provide their age and residence information to officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definitions and care standards for high-volume dog breeders in Ohio, targeting facilities that house six or more breeding dogs and sell significant numbers of puppies or adult dogs. It establishes specific requirements for animal welfare, including daily veterinary-approved nutrition, unlimited clean water, and spacious enclosures that allow dogs to move freely and turn in complete circles. The legislation also mandates that floors be solid or consist of specific slat dimensions to ensure hygiene and safety, while defining terms like "high volume breeder" and "animal rescue" to clarify which entities are subject to these new rules.

Maddy summaryHB 521 updates Ohio's child labor laws to specifically address minors working as performers in the entertainment industry, including films, television, radio, and theater productions. The bill creates a special exemption allowing minors under the age of fourteen to obtain age and schooling certificates if they are employed as performers, provided they are of compulsory school age and the work is legal. It also establishes safety protections by allowing accredited safety professionals to supervise hazardous conditions on set, which would otherwise be prohibited for minors. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the roles of various officials in enforcing these rules and requires employers to verify age certificates before hiring.