Rep. Kevin Miller

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 summaryThis bill designates a specific week in Ohio as "Ohio Black Media Week" to honor press freedom, information access, equity, and equality. The legislation does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of these values within the state. By establishing this designation, the bill aims to highlight the role of Black media in Ohio without altering existing legal requirements.

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from knowingly installing tracking devices or apps on someone else's property without their consent. It also requires the removal of such devices if the original consent is revoked, with consent automatically considered revoked in situations like divorce filings or protection orders. The law includes specific exceptions for law enforcement, parents tracking their own children, caregivers of vulnerable adults, and licensed private investigators working on legitimate business matters.

Maddy summarySB 6 directs state retirement boards, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, and state universities to invest their funds primarily to maximize financial returns for participants. The bill explicitly prohibits these entities from making investment decisions intended to influence social or environmental policies or corporate governance. While the legislation requires giving equal consideration to minority and women-owned businesses when selecting investments, it mandates that financial performance and safety remain the primary drivers of investment choices. Additionally, the law outlines specific procedures for purchasing, selling, and safeguarding assets, requiring annual publication of investment policies and compliance with standard financial reporting guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to ask residents about their willingness to become organ donors when they apply for hunting or fishing licenses. It expands the ways people can register as donors by allowing them to indicate their choice on driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, or through specific forms and online links for hunting and fishing permits. The legislation also clarifies that a donor's choice remains valid even if their driver's license is revoked or suspended and provides legal protections for state officials who follow these new procedures.