Rep. Jodi Whitted

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the walleye as the official state fish, a symbolic honor that does not change any laws or regulations. The legislation directly affects the state by formally recognizing the walleye in official records and documents. It does not alter fishing rules, create new programs, or allocate funding, serving only as a commemorative measure.

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day to highlight the issue of suicide among military veterans. The legislation amends the state code to officially recognize this specific month for awareness and prevention efforts, replacing any previous designations. By establishing this annual observance, the bill aims to increase public focus on mental health resources and support systems for veterans. The change is administrative and does not alter existing funding or create new programs, serving primarily as a symbolic gesture to promote dialogue on the topic.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 380 designates specific highways and bridges across multiple Ohio counties with memorial names to honor individuals who served in law enforcement, the military, or firefighting. The bill authorizes the state director of transportation to install official markers along these roads and bridges to display the new names. Directly affected parties include the general public traveling on these routes and the families of the honored individuals, while the Ohio Department of Transportation is responsible for implementing the signage. This legislation does not alter traffic laws, funding, or road maintenance responsibilities but serves primarily as a commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryHB 164 establishes a Foster-to-College Scholarship Program in Ohio to provide financial aid to students who entered foster care or noncertified kinship care after their thirteenth birthday. The bill also requires the Department of Education to hire a full-time school foster care liaison to help keep these students in their original schools or ensure a smooth transition to a new school when necessary. The scholarship covers the remaining cost of attendance at a college or university after subtracting all other federal, state, and private financial aid the student receives. Private colleges may choose not to participate in the program, and the funds are paid directly to the educational institution where the student is enrolled.