Sen. Hearcel Craig

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of U.S. Route 62 in Canton, Ohio, as the "Specialist Dennis Alan Combs Memorial Highway" to honor a service member. The law officially names the eastbound and westbound lanes between Harmont Avenue and Rebar Avenue and authorizes transportation officials to install markers displaying this new title. It is a commemorative measure that changes the official name of the road but does not alter traffic rules or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and private schools, as well as public recreational facilities, to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and create emergency plans for their use. It mandates that staff at these locations complete training on AEDs and that student athletes receive education about sudden cardiac arrest before participating in sports. Additionally, the law prohibits students with a family history of sudden cardiac arrest or those who have fainted from playing sports until they are medically cleared, and it requires coaches to complete specific training. Local governments must also provide hospital relief payments related to these cardiac events, and the Ohio Department of Health is tasked with developing a model emergency action plan to guide schools and facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 56 increases penalties for drivers who flee from law enforcement and engage in stunt driving, while also requiring police agencies to provide specific training on motor vehicle pursuits. The bill expands the definition of aggravated vehicular homicide to include deaths or serious injuries caused by reckless or negligent driving in construction zones, even if the offense was only a minor speeding violation. Additionally, it reclassifies certain driving-related fees to be collected by county clerks and directs those funds toward title administration costs and clerical pay supplements. These changes apply to anyone operating vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and utility trucks, with stricter consequences for repeat offenders or those driving without a valid license.

Maddy summaryHB 179 clarifies how time limits work in lawsuits involving vicarious liability, such as when an employer is held responsible for an employee's actions. The bill removes the rule that pauses a lawsuit's deadline if the defendant leaves the state or hides, but it keeps this pause in effect for standard statutes of limitations while excluding specific statutes of repose. Additionally, the law simplifies who must be sued in these cases by allowing plaintiffs to sue the primarily liable employee without necessarily including the employer, except in medical, dental, legal, and other professional malpractice claims. This change aims to streamline legal proceedings and overrule a previous court decision regarding how these time limits are calculated.

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.

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 summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the life of William Thomas Ariss, a retired Ohio State Highway Patrol officer and former Warren County sheriff. It formally acknowledges his public service, military background, and community involvement while expressing the Senate's condolences to his family. The resolution concludes by directing the Senate Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to Ariss's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the memory of Dave Hobson, a former U.S. Representative and Ohio Senator who passed away. It formally expresses the Senate's condolences to Hobson's family and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to them. The text highlights Hobson's public service, including his leadership roles in the Ohio Air National Guard and his work on key state and federal legislation. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not create new laws or policies but serves to acknowledge his contributions and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the memory of Darrell W. Opfer, a former public official and community leader from Ohio. It formally expresses the state legislature's condolences to his family and acknowledges his service as a county commissioner, state representative, and educator. The resolution also directs the Senate Clerk to send a copy of the tribute to Opfer's family.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors the life of Roy L. Keeran, a veteran and long-time employee of the Howard Paper Mill who passed away. The bill formally acknowledges his contributions to his family and community, noting his service in the U.S. Army and his forty-nine-year career. It directs the Senate Clerk to send a certified copy of the resolution to Keeran's family as a tribute to his legacy.