Maddy summaryHB 397 requires the Department of Health to partner with the Department of Aging and community groups to expand public education on cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. These educational efforts aim to inform healthcare providers and the general public about early warning signs, risk reduction strategies, the importance of timely diagnosis, and available assessment tools. The bill specifically highlights the need to address disparities among diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and emphasizes the role of annual physicals for those aged sixty-five and older in maintaining cognitive health. By integrating this awareness into existing public health outreach, the legislation seeks to improve early detection and promote healthier lifestyles for all communities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 686 would ban public colleges from including questions about preferred gender pronouns on employment or student admission forms. This law directly affects institutions that currently ask applicants to state their pronouns as part of their application process. By prohibiting these specific fields, the bill removes the requirement for individuals to disclose their pronouns when applying for jobs or enrollment. The measure focuses solely on restricting how applications are structured rather than addressing broader issues of gender identity.
Maddy summaryHB 390 updates the rules for handling leftover money from property foreclosure sales in Ohio. When a sale generates more money than needed to pay debts, the court clerk must notify the property owner about the surplus balance. The bill establishes specific mailing procedures and timelines for delivering these notices, depending on whether the balance is large or small and whether the owner's address is known. If the owner does not claim the funds within a set period, the money is treated as unclaimed property and handled according to existing state laws.
Maddy summaryHB 349 creates a program called EnergizeOhio to encourage the development of natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure by offering two main types of support to local governments and development organizations. First, it allows municipalities and counties to request that specific areas be designated as incentive zones, which would exempt up to 75% of qualifying property within those zones from certain taxes if the director determines that a lack of natural gas infrastructure is hurting local economic growth. Second, the bill establishes a loan fund that can provide interest-free loans for up to five years to help eligible entities purchase or lease land easements for building these pipelines, with the expectation that the loans will be repaid using revenue from selling or leasing those easements. Local governments must apply for these designations and loans, and the director of development is responsible for reviewing applications, making decisions, and managing the fund.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies and local government units from using public money to buy U.S. or Ohio flags that were not manufactured in the United States. It directly affects government entities such as county offices, townships, and municipal corporations by restricting their purchasing choices for these specific flags. The law requires that any flag acquired with taxpayer funds must be produced domestically, ensuring that the purchase supports U.S. manufacturing.
Maddy summaryHB 370 clarifies the Ohio Department of Transportation's authority and responsibilities regarding state highways located within cities and villages. The bill grants the Director of Transportation broad powers to alter, construct, and maintain these roads, including the ability to purchase or appropriate land for improvements like bridges, bike paths, and drainage systems. It also allows the department to acquire property in the name of the state or, in specific cases involving railroads and utilities, directly in the name of those entities. Furthermore, the legislation explicitly states that the state has no mandatory duty to repair state highways inside municipal limits unless the local government requests and approves the work.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the walleye as the official state fish, a symbolic honor that does not change any laws or regulations. The legislation directly affects the state by formally recognizing the walleye in official records and documents. It does not alter fishing rules, create new programs, or allocate funding, serving only as a commemorative measure.
Maddy summaryHB 657 requires Ohio school districts to create and publicly post policies regarding whether students recite the Pledge of Allegiance, ensuring that participation remains voluntary and free from intimidation. The bill mandates that these policies be available on district websites and explicitly prohibits teachers from altering the official words of the pledge. Additionally, the legislation directs schools to emphasize democratic principles in their curriculum and requires a dedicated observance of Veterans' Day lasting at least one hour.
Maddy summaryHB 666, titled the Protecting Ohio Communities Act, requires state and local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and prohibits municipalities from passing laws that hinder this cooperation. The bill mandates that local police share arrestee information with federal agencies and detain individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. until they are transferred to federal custody. Additionally, it requires government entities to verify the immigration status of applicants for public benefits using federal databases. Municipalities that fail to comply with these requirements or enact conflicting ordinances risk losing state homeland security funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Jo Ann Davidson, a former Ohio state legislator who served as the first female Speaker of the House. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to her family and acknowledges her significant contributions to Ohio public service and leadership. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Davidson's family as a gesture of respect.