Rep. Cindy Abrams

Maddy summaryThis bill designates July as Sarcoma Awareness Month to increase public understanding of sarcoma, a type of cancer that affects both humans and dogs. The legislation also officially names the act "Hank's Law" in honor of a specific individual, though it does not create new legal requirements or funding. By adding this designation to the state code, the bill aims to encourage community awareness and support for those impacted by the disease.

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 summaryThis bill authorizes Ohio to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, a national agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across multiple states with a single license. The primary mechanism involves replacing the need for separate state licenses with a multistate authorization, provided the worker holds an unencumbered license in their home state. Key provisions include creating a shared data system to track licensure and disciplinary actions, establishing rules for mutual recognition of licenses, and ensuring that social workers remain accountable to the laws of the state where they are currently providing care. The legislation also specifically supports military families by facilitating practice in remote locations and encourages the use of telehealth to improve access to services.

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 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 is a state-level resolution from the Ohio House of Representatives that urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw its proposed rules on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The measure asks Congress to pass legislation preventing these regulations from taking effect, citing concerns that they rely on unproven technologies and unrealistic timelines that could harm energy reliability and economic stability. By transmitting copies of the resolution to federal officials and the media, the Ohio delegation seeks to formally express its opposition to the EPA's regulatory authority in this area.

Maddy summarySB 117 establishes two new academic entities at Ohio State University and the University of Toledo to focus on American constitutional thought, civics, and leadership. The bill creates the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State and the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership at the University of Toledo, both of which will offer specific courses, develop degree programs, and host events related to free speech and civil discourse. These new units are designed to recruit faculty with diverse intellectual backgrounds, appoint directors with tenure protections, and operate with a dedicated academic council to oversee hiring and curriculum development. The legislation also includes funding to support the creation of these centers and their initial operations within the respective universities.

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.