Rep. Bride Sweeney

Maddy summaryHB 269 designates a portion of State Route 7 in Muskingum County as the "Sgt Bradley J. Harper USMC Memorial Highway" to honor a Marine. The bill also amends the law governing the "ALS Awareness" specialty license plate fund, specifying that contributions collected for this plate must be transferred to the ALS Association of Ohio. These funds are restricted to supporting programs that provide assistance, education, and clinical trial access to individuals with ALS, while explicitly prohibiting their use for abortion-related activities. The legislation is effective as of August 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows mothers who are breastfeeding infants one year of age or younger to be excused from jury service. It achieves this by adding breastfeeding to the list of conditions that constitute "undue or extreme physical or financial hardship" under existing state laws. To qualify for an exemption, a mother only needs to provide a signed affidavit stating she is breastfeeding, which serves as sufficient documentation for the court. The exemption applies only for the specific jury year in which the request is made and does not grant permanent immunity from future jury duty.

Maddy summaryHB 2 amends state laws to allow the Ohio Department of Transportation to provide loans, grants, and credit support to local governments for specific infrastructure projects. These projects include building or improving roads, bridges, water systems, and waste disposal facilities that benefit communities. The bill requires that any financial assistance be approved by local committees and stay within the district's allocated budget from the state capital improvements fund. By defining terms like "capital improvement" and "credit enhancement," the legislation clarifies how state funds can be used to help local subdivisions finance public works.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in the state to publish a list of standard charges for services that patients can schedule in advance, known as shoppable services. Hospitals must make this list available in a machine-readable format and update it to include at least 400 services within two years, increasing to 500 services within four years. The legislation also restricts hospitals from selling or using personal data collected from their online price tools for targeted advertising. Additionally, the state health director is tasked with monitoring compliance and maintaining a public list of hospitals that fail to meet these new requirements.

Maddy summarySB 117 establishes two new academic entities at Ohio State University and the University of Toledo to focus on American constitutional thought, civics, and leadership. The bill creates the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State and the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership at the University of Toledo, both of which will offer specific courses, develop degree programs, and host events related to free speech and civil discourse. These new units are designed to recruit faculty with diverse intellectual backgrounds, appoint directors with tenure protections, and operate with a dedicated academic council to oversee hiring and curriculum development. The legislation also includes funding to support the creation of these centers and their initial operations within the respective universities.

Maddy summaryHB 302 creates a specialty license plate in Ohio featuring the name of Jesup W. Scott High School. Money collected from drivers who purchase this plate will be placed into a state fund and distributed to various organizations. These funds are designated for specific purposes such as cancer research, educational scholarships, and support services for individuals with specific health conditions. The bill also directs portions of the revenue to universities outside Ohio to provide scholarships for Ohio residents attending those schools.

Maddy summarySB 106 amends state laws to establish specific prison sentence ranges for individuals convicted of various felony offenses. The bill requires courts to impose definite minimum prison terms for first, second, and third-degree felonies, while also setting specific sentence lengths for fourth and fifth-degree crimes. Additionally, it mandates longer prison terms when a felony is committed with a firearm, particularly if the weapon is automatic or if the offender has a prior criminal record involving guns. This legislation directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants by standardizing sentencing guidelines to ensure more consistent punishment for violent and weapon-related crimes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the life and public service of Ronald Mottl, Sr., who recently passed away. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to his family and acknowledges his significant contributions as a politician, educator, and community leader in Ohio. The measure directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the resolution to Mottl's family as a tribute to his legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 30 requires county, municipal, and state correctional facilities to provide female inmates with free feminine hygiene products, including tampons and sanitary napkins in various sizes, based on their individual needs. The law mandates that these facilities create written policies to prevent discrimination in product distribution and establish safe procedures for storage, disposal, and hygiene. Additionally, the bill ensures that female inmates receive at least one daily shower with hot water unless the facility is facing a specific emergency, such as a riot or staff shortage. This legislation applies to all female inmates regardless of their charge, disability status, or disciplinary separation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Commission to develop legislative strategies for addressing childhood trauma. The commission will be composed of experts from various fields, including social work, law enforcement, medicine, and education, alongside individuals with personal experience of adverse childhood experiences. Appointed members will meet quarterly to review information and produce an annual report with recommendations for the General Assembly. The commission is authorized to operate for four years, after which it will be dissolved.