Rep. Mark Johnson

To amend sections 5104.015 and 5104.04 and to enact sections 5104.044, 5104.303, 5104.304, and 5104.361 of the Revised Code to require video surveillance of child care centers, to establish an online portal for tracking child care center attendance, to require investigations of waste, fraud, and abuse allegations relating to providers of publicly funded child care, and to name this act the Child Care Fraud Prevention Act.

Maddy summaryHB 655 would create a new criminal offense in Ohio law for "neglect of parental duties" under section 2919.24 of the Revised Code. It would make it a crime for a parent or guardian to willfully fail to provide basic care, supervision, or necessities for a child under their responsibility. This bill directly affects parents or legal guardians who do not meet fundamental care obligations for their minor children. The key provision establishes specific legal consequences for this failure, moving it from a potential civil or child welfare issue into a criminal matter. The bill is currently in committee review after its introduction in January 2026.

To enact section 5534.619 of the Revised Code to designate the bridge spanning the Scioto River on State Route 207 as the "Sgt. Andrew Lansing Memorial Bridge."

Maddy summaryHB 662 increases penalties for disrupting religious gatherings at tax-exempt places of worship or virtual religious meetings. It raises the offense from a fourth-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor (felony) when someone intentionally disturbs a physical religious service at a tax-exempt location or disrupts a virtual religious gathering using electronic means like video conferencing. The bill specifically targets acts that obstruct meetings, make disruptive gestures, or utter words that outrage the group, but only in these defined religious contexts. This change directly affects individuals who interfere with religious assemblies, both in person and online, by imposing stricter legal consequences.

Maddy summaryHB 618 creates a "Chillicothe Paints" specialty license plate option for Ohio motor vehicle owners. When purchased, fees from this plate will fund designated causes, including cancer support programs, autism awareness initiatives, mental health scholarships, and educational scholarships for organizations like Future Farmers of America. The bill specifies that all revenue from the plate will be distributed directly to the listed charities and institutions as outlined in the revised code. This is a concrete policy change that adds a new plate option with predetermined fund allocation, affecting vehicle registrants who choose to buy it.

To amend section 1345.81 and to enact sections 3937.51, 3937.52, 3937.53, and 3937.54 of the Revised Code to require certain disclosures, allow consumer choice concerning the use of aftermarket motor vehicle parts, to require the offering of coverage for original equipment manufacturer parts, and to name this act the Auto Insurance Transparency Act.

To amend sections 323.12, 323.13, 325.31, 4503.06, 5709.56, and 5713.01 and to enact sections 323.123 and 5705.171 of the Revised Code to modify the law governing property taxes and other local taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 609 requires public bodies (like city councils, school boards, and county commissions) to allow public comment before taking formal action on any agenda item. The bill amends Ohio's Revised Code to mandate that these bodies set aside specific time during meetings for citizens to speak about topics under consideration. This change directly affects how local government meetings are conducted, ensuring community input is heard before decisions are made. The key provision is a procedural requirement for public bodies to incorporate public testimony into their meeting process prior to voting.

To amend sections 4503.06, 5713.07, 5713.08, and 5715.27 and to enact sections 5709.29 and 5709.99 of the Revised Code to authorize local governments to create residential stability zones where homeowners may qualify for a partial property tax exemption.

To amend sections 3314.03 and 3326.11 and to enact sections 109.881, 3329.11, 3329.12, 3329.13, 3375.03, 3375.031, 3375.032, 4113.35, 4113.36, and 4113.37 of the Revised Code regarding the provision of online library database resources by public schools, public libraries, and state agencies.