Sen. Hearcel Craig

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 summaryThis bill allows mothers who are breastfeeding infants one year of age or younger to be excused from jury service. It achieves this by adding breastfeeding to the list of conditions that constitute "undue or extreme physical or financial hardship" under existing state laws. To qualify for an exemption, a mother only needs to provide a signed affidavit stating she is breastfeeding, which serves as sufficient documentation for the court. The exemption applies only for the specific jury year in which the request is made and does not grant permanent immunity from future jury duty.

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 designates a specific stretch of United States Route 33 in Fairfield County as the "Lance Corporal James F. Kimple Memorial Highway" to honor Lance Corporal James F. Kimple. The legislation officially changes the name of the road segment located between Coonpath Road Northwest and Pickerington Road Northwest. It also authorizes the director of transportation to install signs along the highway to display the new memorial name.

Maddy summaryThis Ohio Senate Resolution urges the U.S. Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to prioritize mental health care for military personnel and veterans suffering from PTSD and other service-related stress disorders. The bill calls for prompt and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing that only qualified medical professionals should approve such care. It also requests that the government fully implement recommendations to consider mental health conditions before separating service members for misconduct and advocates for correcting discharge records for those separated due to mental health issues. Additionally, the resolution states that a veteran's civilian income should not affect their eligibility for healthcare benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to issue child support orders for children over the age of 18 who have a disability, extending financial support beyond the typical age of majority. It applies to parents involved in divorce, legal separation, or annulment proceedings and ensures that support continues as long as the child's disability-related needs persist. The legislation requires courts to calculate these support amounts using existing state guidelines that account for the child's medical and care expenses. By removing the age limit for disabled minors, the bill aims to provide ongoing financial assistance for adult children with disabilities who rely on their parents for care.

Maddy summarySB 186 updates the rules for handling property tax payments and records when land is split, subdivided, or transferred. It requires county auditors to formally update tax records to reflect new ownership details and ensures that unpaid taxes and penalties are fairly divided between the original owner and any new partial owners based on the value of the land. The bill also prevents owners who owe back taxes from buying properties that have been seized due to non-payment. These changes aim to clarify how tax liabilities are managed during property transactions and ensure accurate record-keeping for local governments.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Michael A. Rulli for his service as a member of the Ohio Senate. It recognizes his leadership roles, including his committee chairmanships and his work representing constituents in Columbiana and Mahoning counties. The resolution commends his professional achievements and expresses good wishes for his future, with a copy of the document to be sent to him by the Senate Clerk.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the time limit for prosecuting rape cases and filing civil lawsuits by victims of such conduct, ensuring these actions can be pursued regardless of how much time has passed since the incident occurred. It also establishes specific rules for other crimes, such as allowing prosecutions for certain offenses to begin within five years of discovery if the victim or their representative did not know the crime happened sooner. Additionally, the legislation includes provisions that pause the time limit if the evidence of the crime remains undiscovered or if the accused tries to avoid being prosecuted.