Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to issue identification cards to inmates in correctional facilities and juvenile detention centers upon their release. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Department of Youth Services will submit applications on behalf of these individuals to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, ensuring they receive documentation of their work experience, education, and trade skills. The legislation mandates that these cards include specific personal details and allows for the inclusion of information regarding anatomical gift wishes, veteran status, and medical directives. By streamlining the application process for incarcerated individuals, the bill aims to facilitate their reintegration into society by providing necessary identification and educational records.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state Board of Building Appeals to oversee disputes and variances related to building inspections and codes. The board will consist of five appointed members representing diverse professions, including law, architecture, engineering, fire prevention, and plumbing, with specific rules for local municipal boards. It creates a formal process where local boards or the state board can hear appeals from enforcement orders, granting variances when strict rule enforcement would cause unnecessary hardship or considering a building's historical significance. The legislation also sets fee limits for processing appeals and mandates that hearing records be open to public inspection.
Maddy summarySB 37 amends laws governing driver's license suspensions and penalties for failing to provide proof of financial responsibility. The bill allows municipal, mayor's, and county courts to order community service or installment payments for individuals who cannot afford to pay fines or costs associated with a conviction. If a person fails to appear in court or does not pay the imposed fines, the court can notify the motor vehicle registrar, who will then block the registration or transfer of any vehicle owned or leased by that person until the debt is cleared. The legislation also establishes standardized forms for reporting payment failures and allows the registrar to require electronic submission of these notices.
Maddy summaryHB 236, known as the Never Alone Act, requires healthcare facilities like nursing homes and hospitals to allow patients and residents to have an advocate present with them during public health emergencies. The bill defines an advocate as a family member, legal guardian, or other designated individual who supports the patient's interests, while explicitly prohibiting advocates from interfering with medical care or engaging in misconduct. Facilities must inform patients of their right to choose an advocate upon admission and must grant access to the advocate unless the patient objects, the advocate violates rules, or the patient is in a group therapy session. This law ensures that vulnerable individuals in care settings can maintain a support system during crises without requiring facilities to hire professional advocates themselves.
Maddy summaryHB 688 designates September 20 as "Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Day" to honor Jo Ann Davidson, the first female speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. This legislative measure officially recognizes her historic achievement and birth date within the state government. The bill does not alter existing laws or policies but serves as a commemorative designation to acknowledge her legacy.
Maddy summaryHB 89 strengthens the Ohio Board of Nursing's authority to discipline nurses and dialysis technicians who commit fraud, engage in substance abuse, or fail to meet safety standards. The bill allows the board to impose penalties such as license revocation, fines, or reprimands for specific misconduct, including assaulting patients, misusing drugs, or practicing while impaired by alcohol or mental health issues. It also prohibits advanced practice nurses from advertising or waiving patient copayments as an incentive to receive care. These changes aim to ensure public safety by providing clearer grounds for disciplinary action against healthcare professionals who violate ethical or legal obligations.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows county commissioners to contract with an engineer from another county to fill vacant engineering positions when local elections or appointments fail to produce a replacement. It permits a single individual to serve as the county engineer for multiple adjacent counties and establishes a system for supplemental pay based on population size when an engineer works in a county other than their home jurisdiction. Additionally, the legislation sets new standards for real estate deeds, requiring specific boundary survey plats for split or altered land parcels before they are recorded. The bill also creates a mechanism for counties where engineers hold private engineering licenses to designate a substitute official to perform public duties while the primary engineer avoids potential conflicts of interest. Finally, it mandates that county auditors and engineers jointly adopt and publicly review standards for property conveyances to ensure compliance before deeds are transferred.
Maddy summaryHB 683 provides additional funding to soil and water districts and the Farm Financial Management Institute through the Department of Agriculture. The bill allocates specific operating appropriations for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years to support these entities' ongoing work, including analysis of the upcoming federal farm bill. It also authorizes a $500,000 cash transfer from the Controlling Board Emergency Purposes/Contingencies Fund to the OSU Extension Fund. These financial resources are intended to supplement existing budgets and ensure continued operations for the affected agricultural programs.
Maddy summaryHB 296 increases the mandatory contributions that employers of full-time municipal police officers and members of the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund must make to the pension system. The bill establishes a schedule where employee contributions rise gradually from 12.5% to 15% between 2025 and 2030, while employer contributions increase from 19.5% to 23.25% over the same period. To help fund these higher payments, the legislation requires certain municipalities to levy a new property tax of three-tenths of one mill, with revenues prioritized for the pension fund and related liabilities. Additionally, the bill allows the pension fund board to adjust contribution rates in the future if an actuarial study determines such changes are needed to maintain the fund's financial health.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution honoring the memory of Barbara C. Pringle, a former Cleveland City Council member and long-serving Ohio state representative. It formally acknowledges her contributions to public service and directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the tribute to her family. The measure does not enact new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial gesture to express sympathy and respect for her life and legacy.