Rep. Karen Brownlee

To amend sections 4112.01 and 4112.05 of the Revised Code to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, to add mediation as an informal method that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission may use, and to uphold existing religious exemptions under Ohio's Civil Rights Law.

To amend sections 5747.01, 5747.08, and 5747.98 and to enact section 5747.36 of the Revised Code to authorize the refundable thriving families tax credit for certain income taxpayers with dependents who are minor children.

To amend sections 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 and to enact section 3313.8110 of the Revised Code to require public schools to provide meals and related services to students.

Maddy summaryHB 120 exempts the sale of firearm safety devices (such as trigger locks or gun safes) from Ohio's sales and use tax. This change directly affects consumers purchasing these devices and retailers selling them, removing the tax obligation on these specific products. The bill amends Ohio Revised Code sections 5739.01-5739.17 to create this tax exemption, making it a concrete policy change for firearm safety device transactions. The legislation does not alter tax treatment for other firearm-related items or general sales.

To amend sections 109.572, 2305.11, 2317.02, 2919.10, 2919.12, 2953.25, 3701.341, 3701.792, 3702.30, 4112.01, 4112.02, 4729.291, 4731.22, 4731.223, 4731.281, 4731.293, and 4743.09; to enact sections 2305.2312, 3732.01, 3732.02, 3732.03, 3732.04, 3732.05, 3732.06, 3732.07, 3732.08, 3732.09, and 3732.11; and to repeal sections 2307.54, 2317.56, 2317.561, 2919.101, 2919.124, 2919.171, 2919.19, 2919.191, 2919.192, 2919.193, 2919.194, 2919.195, 2919.196, 2919.197, 2919.198, 2919.199, 2919.1910, 2919.1912, 2919.1913, 2919.20, 2919.201, 2919.202, 2919.203, 2919.204, 2919.205, 3701.79, 3701.791, 3702.302, 3702.303, 3702.304, 3702.305, 3702.306, 3702.307, 3702.308, 3702.309, 3702.3010, 3702.3011, 3726.01, 3726.02, 3726.03, 3726.04, 3726.041, 3726.042, 3726.05, 3726.09, 3726.10, 3726.11, 3726.12, 3726.13, 3726.14, 3726.15, 3726.16, 3726.95, 3726.99, 3727.60, 4717.271, 5101.57, and 5103.11 of the Revised Code to enact the Reproductive Care Act regarding abortion, abortion-related laws, and reproductive health protections.

To condemn President Trump's issuance of pardons and commutations for individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the United States Capitol, including those who committed violent acts against law enforcement officers.

Maddy summaryHB 91 creates the Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Accelerator Program within Ohio's Department of Higher Education to advance research and develop treatments for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The program, administered by the Brain Injury Research Foundation as a public-private partnership, funds research grants for universities and other entities that provide matching funds from private or federal sources. Key provisions require annual progress reports to state agencies (including health and veterans services), independent audits, and an oversight board with diverse university representation to ensure accountability. This program directly affects research institutions, the foundation, and state agencies managing TBI-related services, with funding allocated for fiscal years 2026 and beyond.

To amend section 2923.11 and to enact section 2923.26 of the Revised Code to prohibit a federally licensed firearms dealer from transferring a firearm unless the transferee passes a background check.

Maddy summaryHB 34 proposes to increase Ohio's state minimum wage in phases, starting at $15.50 per hour in 2025 and rising to $16.50 per hour by 2027. It requires annual adjustments based on inflation after 2027 and mandates employers to post current wage rates in visible locations. The bill covers most Ohio workers, excluding specific categories like certain independent contractors in transportation (e.g., owner-operators of vehicles) and volunteers. It also clarifies definitions of "employee" and "employer" to align with federal standards under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The bill is currently pending committee review after its introduction on February 3, 2025.