Rep. Allison Russo

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new funding system for school bus transportation by defining specific metrics for student ridership and district density. It requires school districts to report their transportation data to the state department of education, which will then calculate statewide averages to determine a base payment for each district. The legislation creates a tiered funding formula that accounts for the number of students transported, the distance traveled, and the efficiency of bus usage relative to district size. Additionally, the bill sets a target number of students per bus for each district based on statewide median data adjusted for local density.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program to support minority Ohio students who are currently in college and planning to attend law school. The state will provide funding to the Ohio State Bar Association to award $4,000 scholarships annually to an initial group of ten to twenty eligible students. In addition to financial aid, the program will offer test preparation materials, academic support, and mentoring events to help participants prepare for law school admission. The Ohio State Bar Association is responsible for setting the selection criteria and managing the program, while the state requires a detailed report on the pilot's outcomes and finances by January of the following year.

Maddy summaryHB 561 prohibits for-profit companies from operating community schools in Ohio, requiring them to convert to nonprofit status by a specified deadline. If a for-profit operator fails to comply, the law mandates that the school's governing authority must appoint an educational service center to take over management and notify affected families. The bill defines community schools as public institutions that can be run by nonprofit organizations or educational service centers under contract with local school boards. This legislation directly impacts existing for-profit management companies and the public schools they currently oversee, ensuring these institutions remain under nonprofit control.

Maddy summaryHB 595, titled the Universal Preschool Act, directs the state Department of Education and Workforce to conduct surveys and hold meetings with school districts and education organizations to assess the feasibility of implementing universal preschool and all-day kindergarten programs. The bill requires the department to compile findings into a report detailing implementation challenges and estimated costs, which must be shared with legislative committees and state officials by March. While the legislation outlines a framework for these new programs, it does not currently appropriate specific funding, instead proposing a potential one-time grant if the legislature decides to provide it. Additionally, the bill allows school districts to request waivers from the new requirements through a public hearing process, with the state Board of Education having the final authority to approve or deny such requests. To help offset the costs associated with these initiatives and sports gaming enforcement, the act also increases the sports gaming tax rate for certain operators.

Maddy summaryHB 591 establishes a rating system for entities that sponsor and operate community schools in Ohio, requiring the state Department of Education and Workforce to issue annual report cards for each school. These report cards will display both academic results and financial data, while also linking to the sponsor's and operator's individual performance ratings and websites. The bill mandates that sponsors must maintain compliance with reporting requirements and avoid an "ineffective" rating to be eligible for sponsoring additional schools. Additionally, the department will develop a framework to evaluate sponsors based on student academic performance, adherence to quality practices, and legal compliance, with the evaluation process subject to public comment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state report card specifically for chartered nonpublic schools that accept state scholarship students, requiring the department of education to issue these cards annually by mid-September. To oversee the process, the legislation establishes a State Report Card Review Committee composed of legislators, educators, parents, business representatives, and other stakeholders to study existing report cards and suggest improvements. The committee must include members from diverse backgrounds, such as special education experts and representatives from urban, suburban, and rural districts, and will submit its findings to the legislature by June. Additionally, the bill mandates that all state report cards be posted in a prominent location on the department's website to ensure public access.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new type of driver's license specifically for people who have applied for a U.S. visa but are still waiting for final approval. To qualify, individuals must submit their standard driver's license application and provide proof that their visa application is currently being processed by immigration authorities. The license is valid for up to one year, cannot be renewed or transferred to another state, and must be replaced with a new interim license or a permanent one if the applicant's legal status is confirmed before it expires.

Maddy summaryHB 526 directs the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to create new rules governing the Ohio Works First program, which provides cash assistance to low-income families with children. These rules will establish specific standards for eligibility, payment amounts, and the verification of income and citizenship for applicants and participants. The bill also outlines requirements for work activities, self-sufficiency contracts, and procedures for handling sanctions or errors in payments. Additionally, it defines key terms such as "countable income" and "strike" to ensure consistency in how the program is administered across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 541 amends state labor laws to require school employees to report suspected violations involving minors under sixteen years of age. The bill also mandates that employers maintain accurate lists of minor employees and provides enforcement officials with the authority to verify the age of workers who appear to be under eighteen. Key provisions include creating a dedicated enforcement fund to hire staff, increasing penalties for violations, and allowing for the detention of minors who refuse to provide their age and residence information to officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definitions and care standards for high-volume dog breeders in Ohio, targeting facilities that house six or more breeding dogs and sell significant numbers of puppies or adult dogs. It establishes specific requirements for animal welfare, including daily veterinary-approved nutrition, unlimited clean water, and spacious enclosures that allow dogs to move freely and turn in complete circles. The legislation also mandates that floors be solid or consist of specific slat dimensions to ensure hygiene and safety, while defining terms like "high volume breeder" and "animal rescue" to clarify which entities are subject to these new rules.