Rep. Phil Robinson

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes increasing the percentage of state tax revenue automatically transferred to the Local Government Fund and the Public Library Fund. Specifically, it adjusts the allocation rates for these funds to ensure local governments and libraries receive a larger share of state tax income each month. The legislation requires the state budget director to create a schedule detailing which specific tax sources will be used for these monthly transfers and allows for future adjustments to that schedule. By modifying the statutory percentages, the bill directly affects how much funding local governments and public libraries receive from the state treasury.

Maddy summaryHB 581 establishes a new oversight framework for community schools by requiring the Department of Education and Workforce to create a public online system that compares student performance data between these schools and their local districts or statewide averages. The bill also mandates that parents and guardians be informed of a community school's most recent state report card results when their child enrolls from a traditional district. Additionally, it restricts the department from sponsoring new community schools if a current sponsor chooses not to renew their contract or if the school is declared unauditable.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new funding system for school bus transportation by defining specific metrics for student ridership and district density. It requires school districts to report their transportation data to the state department of education, which will then calculate statewide averages to determine a base payment for each district. The legislation creates a tiered funding formula that accounts for the number of students transported, the distance traveled, and the efficiency of bus usage relative to district size. Additionally, the bill sets a target number of students per bus for each district based on statewide median data adjusted for local density.

Maddy summaryHB 563, known as the Future Educators Support Act, introduces three main changes to support school staff and future teachers in Ohio. First, it requires school districts to conduct annual surveys to track staffing shortages, including vacancies and the use of substitutes or alternative licenses, with results published online. Second, the bill allows student teachers to receive a cost-of-living stipend or test fee waivers while completing their required teaching placements. Finally, it mandates that teaching be classified as an in-demand job and permits districts to pay student teachers a wage rate comparable to that of regular teachers or offer them health benefits. These provisions aim to improve data on educator staffing and provide financial support to individuals entering the teaching profession.

Maddy summaryHB 561 prohibits for-profit companies from operating community schools in Ohio, requiring them to convert to nonprofit status by a specified deadline. If a for-profit operator fails to comply, the law mandates that the school's governing authority must appoint an educational service center to take over management and notify affected families. The bill defines community schools as public institutions that can be run by nonprofit organizations or educational service centers under contract with local school boards. This legislation directly impacts existing for-profit management companies and the public schools they currently oversee, ensuring these institutions remain under nonprofit control.

Maddy summaryHB 574 allows public school employees in Ohio to use their accrued sick leave to take time off for parental leave, which includes caring for a newly born, stillborn, or newly adopted child. The bill specifically applies to teachers and regular non-teaching staff, while excluding substitutes, part-time instructors, and seasonal workers. To qualify for this leave, an employee must provide a written statement from their employer justifying the absence, and the sick leave is deducted one hour for every hour of absence taken. Additionally, the legislation ensures that unused sick leave is preserved if an employee leaves and returns to public service within ten years.

Maddy summaryHB 595, titled the Universal Preschool Act, directs the state Department of Education and Workforce to conduct surveys and hold meetings with school districts and education organizations to assess the feasibility of implementing universal preschool and all-day kindergarten programs. The bill requires the department to compile findings into a report detailing implementation challenges and estimated costs, which must be shared with legislative committees and state officials by March. While the legislation outlines a framework for these new programs, it does not currently appropriate specific funding, instead proposing a potential one-time grant if the legislature decides to provide it. Additionally, the bill allows school districts to request waivers from the new requirements through a public hearing process, with the state Board of Education having the final authority to approve or deny such requests. To help offset the costs associated with these initiatives and sports gaming enforcement, the act also increases the sports gaming tax rate for certain operators.

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 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 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.