Rep. Sean Brennan

Maddy summaryHB 816 proposes to exempt service dogs and miniature horses from sales and use taxes in Ohio. This change would directly benefit individuals who purchase these animals to assist with disabilities, allowing them to avoid paying the standard tax on such purchases. The bill achieves this by amending state tax code to specifically list these animals as excluded items from the tax definition. Currently, the purchase of service animals is not explicitly exempted, meaning owners must pay the tax unless they qualify for other general exemptions. If passed, the legislation would remove this financial barrier for qualifying service animal owners without altering how taxes are collected on other goods.

Maddy summaryHB 827 updates the rules for income eligibility and administrative procedures for publicly funded child care in Ohio. The bill requires county departments to process child care applications within thirty days and allows these departments to contract with private providers to help make eligibility decisions. It also clarifies that families must have a parent working or in education/training to qualify, while protecting children who need protective care. Additionally, the legislation sets a minimum twelve-month eligibility period and establishes priority for certain low-income families when funding is limited.

To amend sections 3.07, 3.17, 305.03, 503.241, and 3313.11 and to enact section 3.171 of the Revised Code to allow an elected official who is deployed on active military duty to retain the official's position.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for how employers and recruitment agencies can use automated software to make hiring and firing decisions. It requires that these tools, which use artificial intelligence or data analytics, never be the only factor used to decide a worker's employment status. Instead, a human must review the tool's output to ensure accuracy, and the organization must inform applicants at least ten days in advance about how the tool works and what data it uses. Additionally, the law grants workers the right to request an alternative evaluation method that does not involve the automated system if they choose.

To enact section 5534.929 of the Revised Code to designate a portion of State Route 750 in Delaware County as the "Anastasia Jehorek Memorial Highway."

To amend section 149.43 of the Revised Code to protect from release under Ohio Public Records Law the residential and familial information of mental health professionals and social workers.

To amend sections 3705.07, 3705.08, 3705.16, and 4731.22 and to enact sections 4731.2211 and 4731.742 of the Revised Code to require physicians to sign death certificates electronically.

To enact section 9.51 of the Revised Code to designate the Honor and Remember flag as the symbol of Ohio's concern and commitment to honoring and remembering the lives of all fallen service members and their families and to encourage that the flag be displayed at the Statehouse in Columbus on Memorial Day.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specialty license plate in Ohio named after Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, allowing vehicle owners to purchase the plate and contribute funds to a designated state fund. The money collected from these license plate sales will be deposited into the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School license plate contribution fund, which is managed by the state registrar of motor vehicles. The bill amends existing Ohio Revised Code sections to establish this new plate and fund, following the same process used for other specialty plates that support various causes. Ohio residents who wish to support Paul Laurence Dunbar High School can purchase the plate, and the funds will be used for the school's benefit as determined by the fund's management.

To enact section 149.61 of the Revised Code regarding the provision of personal data to out-of-state entities and to name this act the Ohio Privacy Act.