Maddy summaryHB 179 clarifies how time limits work in lawsuits involving vicarious liability, such as when an employer is held responsible for an employee's actions. The bill removes the rule that pauses a lawsuit's deadline if the defendant leaves the state or hides, but it keeps this pause in effect for standard statutes of limitations while excluding specific statutes of repose. Additionally, the law simplifies who must be sued in these cases by allowing plaintiffs to sue the primarily liable employee without necessarily including the employer, except in medical, dental, legal, and other professional malpractice claims. This change aims to streamline legal proceedings and overrule a previous court decision regarding how these time limits are calculated.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates a specific stretch of highways in Greene and Brown counties as the Brigadier General Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor. It defines the corridor by naming three connected sections of United States Routes 42, 68, and 62, along with the Simon Kenton Bridge. The legislation also authorizes the state director of transportation to place markers along these roads to indicate their new name. This change is primarily commemorative and does not alter traffic rules, funding, or other operational aspects of the highways.
Maddy summaryHB 50 creates a legal process for individuals facing housing restrictions due to past criminal convictions to apply for a certificate that can lift these barriers. This bill allows people who have completed their sentences or supervision periods to file a petition in court after a waiting period of six months for misdemeanors or one year for felonies. During the review, judges will consider the applicant's criminal history and any relevant factors, such as military service, before deciding whether to grant the certificate. While the text also mentions extending a construction act and modifying tax procedures, the primary focus is on providing a pathway for formerly incarcerated individuals to regain access to housing.
Maddy summaryHB 250 directs the state to update academic standards and model curricula for grades K-12 in subjects including English, math, science, social studies, technology, financial literacy, fine arts, foreign languages, and physical education. The bill specifically requires that social studies standards cover the original texts of the Declaration of Independence, the Northwest Ordinance, and the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions, while also mandating that financial literacy and entrepreneurship standards include concepts related to free market capitalism. Additionally, the legislation establishes a separate Military Enlistment diploma seal fund and makes administrative corrections regarding the State Board of Education versus the Director of Education and Workforce.
Maddy summaryHB 161 removes the legal protection that previously prevented spouses from being charged with or prosecuted for specific sexual offenses against each other. This change directly affects married couples by allowing a spouse to testify against their partner in court for crimes such as rape, sexual battery, and sexual imposition. The bill eliminates the defense that a crime did not occur simply because the victim and offender were married or living together at the time. Additionally, the legislation permits a person to give testimony against their spouse in any prosecution involving these listed offenses.
Maddy summaryHB 195 creates a new adaptive mobility dealer license to regulate businesses that sell electric personal assistive mobility devices and low-speed micromobility devices. The bill amends existing vehicle definitions to explicitly exclude these specific devices from the standard "vehicle" and "motor vehicle" categories used in state law. By establishing a distinct classification, the legislation allows dealers to operate under a separate license tailored to the unique needs of adaptive mobility equipment rather than general vehicle sales regulations. This change directly affects businesses selling mobility aids and ensures these items are handled through a specialized licensing framework.
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 enacts the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to prohibit public schools from discriminating against individuals based on hair texture and protective hairstyles. The legislation directly affects students, educators, and school administrators by establishing clear legal protections against hair-based discrimination within the public education system. Key provisions require schools to adopt policies that ensure equal treatment regardless of hair type, thereby addressing a specific form of bias that can impact student participation and well-being. By codifying these protections into state law, the bill aims to create a more inclusive environment for all students in public schools.