Rep. Andrea White

Maddy summaryHB 385 allows individuals convicted of crimes while being victims of human trafficking to apply for the expungement of their criminal records. The bill permits applicants to request relief for any offense except murder, requiring them to file a formal application with specific details and supporting evidence. A judge will hold a hearing to evaluate the request, considering factors such as the level of duress faced and the seriousness of the crime, before deciding whether to clear the record. If approved, the conviction will be treated as if it never occurred, and the applicant will be legally protected from having the record used in future background checks.

Maddy summaryHB 264 amends state laws to clarify how steam-producing facilities can recover waste energy for efficiency purposes. The bill primarily affects industrial and commercial entities that operate steam systems by updating the legal framework governing their energy recovery efforts. It achieves this by revising specific sections of the state's energy code to include these facilities within the scope of existing energy efficiency regulations. This change ensures that such facilities are covered under the same rules designed to promote energy conservation and reduce waste.

Maddy summaryHB 578 allows Ohio taxpayers to claim a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to 50% of their cash contributions to qualifying child care programs, with a maximum credit limit of $100,000 per year. The bill defines eligible programs to include licensed child care centers, child day camps, and other providers engaged in child care, while requiring contributors to submit receipts and certify they do not receive services from the program they fund. Additionally, the legislation establishes a specific order for claiming various tax credits, ensuring this child care credit is processed after certain retirement and senior citizen credits but before others like the earned income credit. This measure directly affects individuals and pass-through entities who make financial donations to support the operations of licensed child care facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the state's criminal justice procedures to allow individuals to request a new trial or postconviction relief if they present new evidence that would likely change the original verdict. It specifically mandates that courts hold resentencing hearings for offenders whose death sentences are overturned due to specific legal errors, intellectual disability findings, or changes in the law. Under the new rules, if a death penalty is vacated, the court must resentence the individual to life imprisonment or a term of at least thirty years, unless the person previously waived the right to parole. Additionally, the legislation requires the State Criminal Sentencing Commission to monitor the impact of these changes on local government costs and the state correctional system.

Maddy summaryHB 580 expands eligibility for publicly funded child care in Ohio to include foster and kinship caregivers, alongside other groups such as recipients of transitional child care and participants in workforce programs. The bill designates the Department of Job and Family Services as the agency responsible for administering these funds and coordinating with federal programs like the Child Care Block Grant. Key provisions allow for the use of state and federal money to hire staff, provide consumer education, and establish reimbursement rates that vary based on factors like geographic location, hours of service, and provider quality. Additionally, the legislation requires that child care for foster and kinship placements be provided only by licensed centers or family child care homes to ensure safety and oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 577 amends the state income tax code to create a refundable credit for eligible taxpayers who incur certain child care expenses. The bill directly affects individuals who pay for child care and wish to reduce their tax liability by claiming this specific credit. It modifies existing tax sections to ensure the credit is available to those who meet the expense requirements outlined in the legislation. This measure provides a financial incentive for families by allowing them to recover a portion of their child care costs through their state tax return.

Maddy summaryHB 576 authorizes nonrefundable tax credits for employers who provide child care services to their employees. The bill allows these businesses to claim a credit against their state tax liability based on the amount they spend on child care programs. If the credit amount exceeds the tax owed in a given year, the unused portion can be carried forward for up to five years. This legislation directly affects employers in Ohio who offer child care benefits and wish to reduce their state tax burden through these expenditures.