Rep. Rachel Baker

Maddy summaryHB 397 requires the Department of Health to partner with the Department of Aging and community groups to expand public education on cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. These educational efforts aim to inform healthcare providers and the general public about early warning signs, risk reduction strategies, the importance of timely diagnosis, and available assessment tools. The bill specifically highlights the need to address disparities among diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and emphasizes the role of annual physicals for those aged sixty-five and older in maintaining cognitive health. By integrating this awareness into existing public health outreach, the legislation seeks to improve early detection and promote healthier lifestyles for all communities.

Maddy summaryHB 645 proposes creating a refundable tax credit or rebate for homeowners and renters whose property taxes or rent exceed five percent of their income. The bill would allow eligible individuals to claim this financial assistance directly on their state tax returns to offset the cost of housing. Additionally, the legislation includes provisions for pass-through entities, such as partnerships or S corporations, to file a single tax return on behalf of their investors who are subject to state income tax. This mechanism would simplify the filing process for these businesses while ensuring investors receive their appropriate share of any credits or payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the official job title for physician assistants from "physician assistant" to "physician associate" in Ohio state law. The legislation updates numerous sections of the Revised Code to reflect this new terminology and adjusts related definitions for other advanced practice nurses. Additionally, the bill expands the list of qualified medical professionals who can perform physical and psychiatric examinations for state civil service applicants, including those seeking employment as police officers or firefighters. These changes apply to various licensing boards and state agencies that regulate or employ these healthcare workers.

Maddy summaryHB 675 establishes a Social Work Internship Grant Program to provide financial support for social work interns. The bill also creates specific tax exemptions for grants received under this program, shielding them from state and local income taxes. Additionally, the legislation updates definitions for municipal taxable income and outlines rules for calculating income for both residents and nonresidents, including provisions for net operating losses and various types of exempt income such as military pay and social security benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 399 creates a new tax credit for employers in Ohio who provide paid leave to employees donating organs. To qualify, the employer must use the federal E-Verify system and offer compensation equal to the employee's normal wages for up to thirty days of medically necessary recovery time. This credit allows qualifying businesses to reduce their tax liability by the amount of benefits paid, capped at $30 per day, with a maximum annual limit of $54,000 per employer. The bill also establishes a reporting requirement for the tax commissioner to track the number of claims and total credit values issued each year.

Maddy summaryHB 644 prohibits individuals with specific criminal convictions, drug-related offenses, or mental health adjudications from acquiring, carrying, or using trigger cranks and bump-fire devices that speed up a semi-automatic firearm's rate of fire. The bill also bans the import, manufacture, sale, and possession of these accessories by the general public, while explicitly exempting law enforcement and government agencies. People currently barred from owning firearms due to these factors can apply to a court for relief if they have completed their sentences and have led a law-abiding life since their release. Violations of the ban on these devices are classified as a fourth-degree felony, whereas possessing such items while under legal disability is a third-degree felony.

Maddy summaryHB 636 amends state law to prohibit same-sex marriages, declaring them void and refusing to recognize such unions performed in other jurisdictions. The bill also explicitly bans the state from extending specific legal marriage benefits to nonmarital relationships between people of any gender. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that it does not prevent marriage between individuals of different races.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that expresses the Ohio House of Representatives' support for a citizen-led redistricting initiative. It does not change any laws or create new policies but instead encourages Ohio voters to back a measure that would transfer map-drawing power from politicians to a commission of ordinary citizens. The text argues that current gerrymandering practices distort democracy and urges the public to support this reform to ensure fairer elections. Ultimately, the bill serves as a formal statement of endorsement rather than a substantive legislative change.

Maddy summaryHR 571 is a resolution that formally recognizes the third week of September as Asthma Peak Week in Ohio. It aims to raise public awareness about asthma, a condition affecting over 1.1 million people in the state, and highlights the importance of proper treatment and management during this time when hospital visits often increase due to fall allergies. The bill directs the House Clerk to send copies of the resolution to Ohio news media to help spread the message. This legislative action does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to draw attention to the health challenges associated with asthma.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Jo Ann Davidson, a former Ohio state legislator who served as the first female Speaker of the House. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to her family and acknowledges her significant contributions to Ohio public service and leadership. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Davidson's family as a gesture of respect.