Rep. Karen Brownlee

To amend section 5104.03 and to enact sections 5104.55 and 5104.56 of the Revised Code regarding child care services for the children of veterans and active duty military members, to name this act the Ohio Vets-Military Families Childcare Act, and to make an appropriation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 353, is a commemorative resolution that formally recognizes April 2026 as Ohio Child Abuse Prevention Month. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but instead acknowledges the importance of preventing child abuse and neglect through public awareness. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the document to the Ohio Children's Trust Fund and Ohio news media to promote the observance. This measure is symbolic and aims to encourage community involvement in child safety initiatives rather than implementing concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state director of health to create and distribute a poster that provides information about various veterans' medical benefits and support services. The poster must include details on programs such as the Military Injury Relief Fund, the VA crisis line, caregiver support, and other health-related resources available to veterans. Health care providers are authorized to display this poster in visible areas of their facilities, and the state will supply copies at no cost to those who request them. The legislation aims to ensure veterans and their health care providers have easy access to information about available benefits and services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new specialty license plate in Ohio named "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." that drivers can purchase to show support for civil rights history. The revenue generated from sales of these plates will be deposited into a dedicated fund managed by the state registrar of motor vehicles. Money collected from this plate design will be distributed to support various causes, including civil rights education and programs honoring Dr. King's legacy, alongside other specialty plate funds that support health organizations, scholarships, and community programs. Motor vehicle registrants in Ohio who choose to purchase this plate will contribute to the fund, while the state will handle the collection and distribution of proceeds according to established procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring Ohio athlete Connor Curran for winning a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It formally recognizes his achievements in freestyle skiing and directs the House Clerk to send an official copy of the resolution to him. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as a tribute to his athletic accomplishments.

Maddy summaryHB 721 creates a program to provide $1,000 annual grants to eligible veterans organizations in Ohio. These grants can be used for events honoring veterans or supplying veterans with basic necessities like food. The Director of Development will administer the program, requiring organizations to apply annually and submit sworn reports detailing how funds were spent. The bill appropriates state funds for this purpose and establishes rules for grant distribution and accountability.

Maddy summaryThis Ohio House resolution (H.R. No. 341) condemns former President Donald Trump for sharing a racist video on February 5, 2026, that superimposed Barack Obama’s face onto an ape in a jungle. It specifically references Black History Month and Obama’s historic presidency as context for the condemnation. The resolution, introduced on February 25, 2026, has no legal effect and serves as a symbolic statement from the Ohio House. It directs the clerk to send copies to Ohio’s congressional delegation and state media.

To amend section 3902.30 of the Revised Code to require private insurers to cover telehealth services for mental health services the same as for in-person mental health services.

Maddy summaryHB 691, the Community and Police Protection Act, requires law enforcement officers (including federal officers) to remove masks during public interactions while performing duties, except for medical masks (like N95s), safety masks (for smoke/environmental hazards), or SWAT team gear. It mandates officers to display their name and badge number visibly at all times during public contact. Violating these rules is a misdemeanor, with exemptions for undercover operations. The bill directly affects all state and federal officers interacting with the public, aiming to increase transparency in police-citizen encounters.

Maddy summaryHB 685 requires bars and clubs with specific permits to offer free or low-cost drink testing devices that detect date rape drugs like GHB, ketamine, and flunitrazepam within five minutes. The bill mandates businesses to post clear notices about the testing service and ensure devices are not expired. It establishes an anonymous, voluntary reporting system for positive test results, with data aggregated and made public for safety analysis - but not used for enforcement actions against businesses. This directly affects hospitality venues and their patrons seeking to verify drink safety.