Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals convicted of crimes while being victims of human trafficking to request the expungement of their criminal records. To qualify, applicants must prove by a preponderance of the evidence for misdemeanors or clear and convincing evidence for felonies that their participation in the offense resulted from their victimization. The process requires filing a detailed application with the sentencing court, which may hold a hearing where prosecutors can object and the judge evaluates specific factors such as the degree of duress and the seriousness of the crime. If approved, the conviction is legally treated as if it never occurred, and the court must notify relevant agencies to remove the record from public view. Applicants are responsible for paying a fifty-dollar fee to initiate the request, with a portion of those funds directed to state and county treasuries.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates a specific stretch of highways in Greene and Brown counties as the Brigadier General Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor. It defines the corridor by naming three connected sections of United States Routes 42, 68, and 62, along with the Simon Kenton Bridge. The legislation also authorizes the state director of transportation to place markers along these roads to indicate their new name. This change is primarily commemorative and does not alter traffic rules, funding, or other operational aspects of the highways.
Maddy summaryHB 250 directs the state to update academic standards and model curricula for grades K-12 in subjects including English, math, science, social studies, technology, financial literacy, fine arts, foreign languages, and physical education. The bill specifically requires that social studies standards cover the original texts of the Declaration of Independence, the Northwest Ordinance, and the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions, while also mandating that financial literacy and entrepreneurship standards include concepts related to free market capitalism. Additionally, the legislation establishes a separate Military Enlistment diploma seal fund and makes administrative corrections regarding the State Board of Education versus the Director of Education and Workforce.
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 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 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 378 expands the definition of a qualifying homestead to include surviving spouses of service members who were killed in the line of duty, allowing them to receive a full property tax exemption. The bill specifically defines "killed in the line of duty" to cover deaths from injuries sustained during service, including heart attacks or illnesses caused by service-related stress. To be eligible, the surviving spouse must occupy the home and acquire ownership after the service member's death, provided the deceased was not discharged under dishonorable conditions. This legislation aims to provide financial relief to families of fallen service members by reducing their real estate tax burdens.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies, political subdivisions, and nonresidential construction contractors to use the E-Verify system to confirm the identity and legal work eligibility of their employees. It applies to public contractors and subcontractors working on construction or maintenance projects, as well as private employers with 75 or more workers and nonresidential construction companies. While the law mandates verification for all new hires and assigned workers, it allows for a waiver if an employee's status was previously confirmed by the same employer. Contracts that do not include these verification provisions are considered void, and agencies found in violation face a fine of five thousand dollars per incident.
Maddy summarySB 106 amends state laws to establish specific prison sentence ranges for individuals convicted of various felony offenses. The bill requires courts to impose definite minimum prison terms for first, second, and third-degree felonies, while also setting specific sentence lengths for fourth and fifth-degree crimes. Additionally, it mandates longer prison terms when a felony is committed with a firearm, particularly if the weapon is automatic or if the offender has a prior criminal record involving guns. This legislation directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants by standardizing sentencing guidelines to ensure more consistent punishment for violent and weapon-related crimes.