Maddy summaryHB 319, known as the Conscientious Right to Refuse Act, prohibits discrimination against adults and emancipated minors who decline specific medical treatments, such as vaccines, biologics, or gene editing, based on religious or other conscientious beliefs. The law protects these individuals from facing negative consequences like job termination, denial of services, segregation, or financial penalties by employers, healthcare providers, government agencies, and educational institutions. If a person believes they have been discriminated against, the bill allows them to sue for money damages, court costs, and attorney fees, with the possibility of receiving triple damages if they win their case. While the legislation creates these protections, it explicitly states that it does not stop organizations from recommending, educating about, or providing access to the medical interventions in question.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 503 prohibits the feeding of garbage to swine, including feral pigs and wild boar, to address public health and environmental concerns. The bill also updates definitions within the Agricultural Commodity Handlers Law to clarify terms related to grain storage, handling, and marketing. Additionally, it authorizes the director of agriculture to charge fees for laboratory services and establishes a fund to support animal and consumer protection operations. These changes aim to regulate waste disposal practices for livestock and streamline the legal framework for agricultural commodity management.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of March as "Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month" to highlight this specific type of breast cancer. The primary effect is to officially recognize the month for public awareness campaigns and educational efforts related to the disease. It does not change laws, allocate funding, or mandate specific actions for government agencies or individuals. The legislation serves as a symbolic designation rather than a policy with enforceable requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for first responders, EMTs, and paramedics to petition the state board for the inclusion of new topics in their training and continuing education programs. It also updates regulations for medication aides working in nursing homes and residential care facilities by clarifying which prescription medications they can administer under nurse supervision. Specifically, the law allows aides to give oral, topical, and certain other medications, including Schedule II controlled substances and insulin, while prohibiting them from performing injections other than insulin, calculating dosages, or splitting pills. Additionally, the bill sets rules requiring the board to base training program durations on calendar days and to restrict clinical practice in facilities facing real and present dangers until safety issues are resolved.
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.
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 73 establishes a legal framework for doctors to prescribe medications for uses not originally approved by the FDA, provided they obtain informed consent from the patient or their legal guardian. This process requires physicians to explain the diagnosis, risks, benefits, and any financial conflicts of interest associated with the off-label treatment. The bill also outlines specific rules for hospital pharmacists, allowing them to refuse dispensing based on moral or ethical objections while mandating that hospitals attempt to source the medication from other providers if it is not in stock. Additionally, the legislation permits patients to bring their own off-label drugs into a hospital for administration if the facility or its doctors decline to prescribe or dispense them.
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 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.