Rep. Cindy Abrams

Maddy summaryHB 7, known as the Strong Foundations Act, establishes a state fatherhood commission to organize summits and produce annual reports on resources and initiatives aimed at improving parenting skills, employment opportunities, and family reunification for fathers. The bill also updates the rating standards for early learning programs to include specific criteria for Head Start and accredited child care centers. Additionally, it creates the Help Me Grow program as the state's official evidence-based home visiting service for pregnant women and families with young children, requiring providers to track outcomes related to health, safety, and economic stability.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of May as "Food Allergy Awareness Month" to highlight the importance of recognizing food allergies. The primary effect is an official state designation that encourages public awareness and education during this specific time period. It does not change laws, allocate funding, or mandate specific actions for individuals or businesses. The measure serves as a commemorative resolution rather than a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The proposed federal law would require states to collect documentary proof of citizenship when people register to vote and to remove noncitizens from existing voter rolls. By adopting this resolution, the Ohio legislature is formally requesting that Congress enact these specific measures to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a specialty license plate featuring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library logo. Money collected from drivers who choose this plate goes into a state fund and is distributed to various organizations, including cancer research groups, educational foundations, and youth development programs. The legislation also directs specific funds to scholarships for students attending certain universities, both within Ohio and out of state. By creating this plate, the state provides a way for vehicle owners to contribute directly to these designated causes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local governments in Ohio from requiring firearm liability insurance or charging fees for the possession of firearms and knives. It asserts that owning these items is a fundamental right and declares any local rules mandating insurance or fees as null and void. The legislation also allows individuals to sue local governments for damages and legal costs if they enforce conflicting ordinances. However, the law does not prevent cities from using zoning regulations to restrict where firearms and knives can be sold commercially.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how the state handles childhood sexual abuse registrants and child abuse reporting by shifting the penalty for failing to register from criminal to civil, while removing restrictions on where these individuals can live. It also establishes a new crime called grooming and extends the time limits for prosecuting violations of laws requiring the reporting of child abuse or neglect. Specifically, the legislation sets longer windows for legal action in cases involving DNA matches, fraud, or when victims discover the offense later, ensuring that prosecutions can occur even years after the original incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Ohio school districts to include a specific exception in their open enrollment policies for children of active-duty military members. Under the new rules, districts must allow these military children to apply for enrollment without facing the usual restrictions that apply to students from other districts. The legislation defines "active duty member" as anyone serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard on full-time duty. While the bill outlines general procedures for admitting out-of-district students, it mandates that military families be treated as a distinct category eligible for enrollment regardless of the district's standard open enrollment limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Jerry W. Krupinski, a former coal miner, insurance professional, and long-serving Ohio state representative. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' sympathy to his family and acknowledges his contributions to public service and community organizations. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to Krupinski's family, serving as a formal record of respect rather than enacting new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new section to the Ohio Constitution to allow the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds for public infrastructure projects. The funds would be used to build or improve roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, and waste disposal facilities for cities, counties, and townships. If approved by voters, the state could borrow money over ten years to finance these projects, with the full faith and credit of the state pledged to repay the debt. The legislation also specifies that the borrowed money must be used strictly for infrastructure and that the bonds would be exempt from state taxes.