Sen. Stephanie Kunze

Maddy summaryHB 531, known as Braden's Law, establishes new criminal penalties for sexual extortion, which involves threatening to release private images to force someone into performing acts, paying money, or providing additional photos. The bill specifically defines private images to include content involving nudity, sexual activity, or extreme violence, and it sets felony charges that become more severe if the victim is a minor, elderly person, or disabled adult. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the legal responsibilities of digital service providers regarding deceased users' accounts, requiring them to comply with court orders for disclosure or termination while protecting them from liability when acting in good faith.

Maddy summaryHB 403 creates new legal causes of action for vehicles that are towed following an accident, allowing owners to seek compensation in such cases. The bill also clarifies rules regarding tampered emission control systems by defining specific prohibited actions, such as selling or operating vehicles with bypassed emissions equipment, while providing exceptions for legitimate repairs and vehicle conversions. Additionally, it expands an existing exception to window tinting laws to include residents who own non-compliant vehicles and requires transportation network companies to perform annual background checks on their authorized drivers.

Maddy summaryHB 7, known as the Strong Foundations Act, establishes a state fatherhood commission to organize summits and produce annual reports on resources and initiatives aimed at improving parenting skills, employment opportunities, and family reunification for fathers. The bill also updates the rating standards for early learning programs to include specific criteria for Head Start and accredited child care centers. Additionally, it creates the Help Me Grow program as the state's official evidence-based home visiting service for pregnant women and families with young children, requiring providers to track outcomes related to health, safety, and economic stability.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the month of May as "Food Allergy Awareness Month" to highlight the importance of recognizing food allergies. The primary effect is an official state designation that encourages public awareness and education during this specific time period. It does not change laws, allocate funding, or mandate specific actions for individuals or businesses. The measure serves as a commemorative resolution rather than a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Ohio to join the Dietitian Licensure Compact, a multistate agreement that lets licensed dietitians practice in other member states without needing separate licenses for each location. Under the new rules, professionals who meet uniform standards can work across state lines as if they were licensed in every state they visit, which aims to improve public access to nutrition care services. The agreement also creates a shared system to track disciplinary actions and investigations, ensuring that a dietitian's record follows them regardless of where they practice. Additionally, the compact includes specific protections for military members and their spouses by making it easier for them to maintain their licenses while relocating for duty. While states retain their authority to regulate dietetics within their own borders, the compact streamlines the process for professionals moving between participating states.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a specialty license plate featuring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library logo. Money collected from drivers who choose this plate goes into a state fund and is distributed to various organizations, including cancer research groups, educational foundations, and youth development programs. The legislation also directs specific funds to scholarships for students attending certain universities, both within Ohio and out of state. By creating this plate, the state provides a way for vehicle owners to contribute directly to these designated causes.

Maddy summarySB 39 proposes to exempt specific baby products from state sales and use taxes, directly affecting parents and retailers who sell these items. The bill achieves this by amending the Revised Code to remove certain infant goods from the list of taxable tangible personal property. This change would lower the cost for families purchasing these essential items and reduce the tax burden for businesses selling them.

Maddy summarySB 163 authorizes the creation of a specialty license plate for Dublin City Schools, allowing vehicle owners to contribute money through their registration fees. The collected funds will be deposited into a dedicated treasury account and distributed to support the district's educational programs and initiatives. This bill directly affects Ohio residents who choose to purchase the new license plate and the Dublin City Schools system that will receive the proceeds.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how the state handles childhood sexual abuse registrants and child abuse reporting by shifting the penalty for failing to register from criminal to civil, while removing restrictions on where these individuals can live. It also establishes a new crime called grooming and extends the time limits for prosecuting violations of laws requiring the reporting of child abuse or neglect. Specifically, the legislation sets longer windows for legal action in cases involving DNA matches, fraud, or when victims discover the offense later, ensuring that prosecutions can occur even years after the original incident.