Rep. Sara Carruthers

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 195 creates a new adaptive mobility dealer license to regulate businesses that sell electric personal assistive mobility devices and low-speed micromobility devices. The bill amends existing vehicle definitions to explicitly exclude these specific devices from the standard "vehicle" and "motor vehicle" categories used in state law. By establishing a distinct classification, the legislation allows dealers to operate under a separate license tailored to the unique needs of adaptive mobility equipment rather than general vehicle sales regulations. This change directly affects businesses selling mobility aids and ensures these items are handled through a specialized licensing framework.

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 summaryHB 465, known as Lauren's Law, amends state statutes to provide clearer definitions for terms related to the care of individuals with developmental disabilities in Ohio. The bill specifically updates the legal language used to describe facilities, medical roles, and the criteria for institutionalization, ensuring consistency in how these services are administered. By standardizing definitions such as "institution," "habilitation," and "intellectual disability," the legislation aims to improve clarity for residents, staff, and oversight agencies managing these programs. This measure does not introduce new funding or operational rules but rather refines the existing regulatory framework to better support people with intellectual disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in the state to publish a list of standard charges for services that patients can schedule in advance, known as shoppable services. Hospitals must make this list available in a machine-readable format and update it to include at least 400 services within two years, increasing to 500 services within four years. The legislation also restricts hospitals from selling or using personal data collected from their online price tools for targeted advertising. Additionally, the state health director is tasked with monitoring compliance and maintaining a public list of hospitals that fail to meet these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill enacts the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to prohibit public schools from discriminating against individuals based on hair texture and protective hairstyles. The legislation directly affects students, educators, and school administrators by establishing clear legal protections against hair-based discrimination within the public education system. Key provisions require schools to adopt policies that ensure equal treatment regardless of hair type, thereby addressing a specific form of bias that can impact student participation and well-being. By codifying these protections into state law, the bill aims to create a more inclusive environment for all students in public schools.

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.