Rep. Terrence Upchurch

Maddy summaryHB 588 would apply Ohio's Civil Rights Law anti-discrimination protections to unpaid interns by amending two sections of the Revised Code. Currently, these protections do not cover unpaid interns, but the bill would extend them to include unpaid interns under the same employment anti-discrimination rules as paid employees. This change directly affects unpaid interns and their employers across Ohio, requiring equal treatment in hiring, assignments, and workplace conditions. The key mechanism is the explicit amendment of state law to include unpaid interns within the scope of the Civil Rights Law's employment provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 595 would require all auto insurance policies in Ohio to include uninsured motorist coverage. This means drivers would automatically have protection if they're injured by a driver without insurance, which is currently optional in many policies. The bill amends existing law (section 3937.18 of the Revised Code) to make this coverage mandatory for all new and existing policies sold in Ohio. It directly affects every driver purchasing auto insurance in the state by ensuring they have this specific protection.

To amend section 5747.113 and to enact sections 3701.27 and 4503.108 of the Revised Code to create the Pediatric Cancer Research Fund and to authorize voluntary contributions to it.

Maddy summaryHB 576 amends section 5.21 of the Revised Code to officially designate November as "Veterans' Month" in Ohio. This procedural bill changes the state's official calendar designation, directing state agencies and officials to recognize and honor veterans during November. It does not create new programs, funding, or obligations; it simply updates the statutory reference for the month. The bill directly affects state government operations and public recognition efforts related to veterans.

To amend section 3727.08; to amend, for the purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses, section 3727.08 (3722.15); and to enact sections 3701.0413, 3702.20, and 5119.335 of the Revised Code to require the Director of Health, hospitals, and urgent care facilities to create domestic violence protocols for certain health care professionals and to name this act the Break the Silence Act.

To enact sections 3902.65, 3902.651, 3902.652, 3902.653, and 3902.654 of the Revised Code to require health insurance coverage of orthotic and prosthetic devices.

Maddy summaryHR 227 urges the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize connecting the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database - which tracks crime records - and the NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System) database. This non-binding resolution does not create new laws but calls on the DOJ to accelerate efforts to integrate these systems. The goal is to help law enforcement more quickly match missing persons reports with unidentified remains stored in NamUs. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and families of missing persons by improving access to critical case information.

Maddy summaryHB 562 allocates state funding to school districts to help them provide food options that meet students' religious dietary restrictions, such as halal, kosher, or vegetarian needs. The bill directly affects students with these restrictions and school nutrition programs responsible for meal planning. Its key mechanism is a specific appropriation (funding allocation) to support the development or expansion of compliant food services. This policy change requires schools to use the funds to improve dietary accommodations, without specifying exact menu requirements. The bill focuses on enabling schools to better serve religious dietary needs through financial support.

To amend section 5321.04 and to enact sections 5321.041 and 5321.042 of the Revised Code to require landlords to notify tenants of rent defaults prior to commencing evictions.

To amend sections 3317.0212, 3327.01, and 3327.016; to enact new section 3327.021 and section 3317.071; and to repeal section 3327.021 of the Revised Code and to amend Sections 265.10, 265.300, 512.10, and 516.10 of H.B. 96 of the 136th General Assembly to enact the School Busing Improvement Act regarding transportation of students and to make an appropriation.